The highly anticipated NFL season is set to kickoff on Thursday night with a rematch of last season’s AFC Championship game. The Baltimore Ravens, who fell short last season to the Kansas City Chiefs, are eager for redemption as they take on the reigning Super Bowl champions.
Last year, the Chiefs secured their spot in the Super Bowl with a 17-10 victory over the Ravens in the conference championship. Lamar Jackson, the Ravens’ quarterback, downplays the significance of this rematch, stating that it’s just like any other game. However, he promises that it will be an entertaining matchup.
During the offseason, the Ravens made a significant addition by acquiring running back Derrick Henry. Henry, who closely followed the 2023 AFC Championship game and had been rumored to join the Ravens earlier, expressed his excitement to take the field against another top AFC team. He admitted that he was eager to be a part of the team when they faced the Chiefs last season.
“Hell yes… I was wishing I could suit up that day [when I was] watching that game,” Henry remarked. “But yes, now it’s my turn, so [I have] to take advantage of it. It’s going to be a hell of a game.”
Henry believes in the team’s potential and is looking forward to showcasing their abilities as a cohesive unit. “We’re going to do our job and executing. It’s all tied in together, [and] we all trust one another,” he said.
The Ravens players share a common mindset of putting on a show for their fans. Linebacker Roquan Smith is excited for the opportunity to shine under the bright lights and intends to make a statement on the field.
“What way to have a bigger show than when the whole entire world is watching you? Regardless of what happened last year, that’s last year. This is a completely new season,” Smith said. “The whole world is going to be watching… I’m very excited about our defense, and our offense, special teams as well, to put a show on in front of the entire world, and look good while we’re doing it.”
Rookie Nate Wiggins, the team’s first-round pick, is looking forward to his first regular-season NFL game and is eager to make an impact. Like Smith, he is focused on putting on a show for the fans.
Despite their confidence and enthusiasm, the Ravens will enter the game as underdogs according to Caesars Sportsbook, with the Chiefs favored by three points. The matchup between Patrick Mahomes, the Super Bowl MVP, and Lamar Jackson, the league MVP, is expected to be high-scoring, but the over/under is set relatively low at 46.0 (-110).
As the Ravens prepare to face the Chiefs for the first game of the season, the stage is set for an intense and thrilling rematch of the AFC Championship. The football world eagerly awaits to see which team will come out on top in this highly anticipated showdown.