NFL Opening kickoff: four key talking points

By Alex Merson

After a long eight months, the NFL 2024 season finally kicks off on Thursday night with a mouth-watering matchup to open the season.

The reigning back-to-back Super Bowl Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, led by superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes welcome last season’s MVP Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens to Arrowhead, in a matchup that promises to deliver.

The two sides faced each other in last season’s AFC Championship game, where the Chiefs outfought the Ravens by the smallest of margins, winning 17-14 to book a place at the Super Bowl, which they eventually won, beating the 49ers in overtime.

The Ravens will be seeking revenge, after coming so agonising close to their first Super Bowl in eleven years.

And for the Chiefs will be looking to do something they failed to achieve last season, winning the opening game of the season, as they lost to the Lions just a year ago.

With so many question marks surrounding the game, here are four key talking points to keep an eye on as we begin the 2024 NFL season.

Can The Chiefs' Defense Deliver Again?

When these two teams met in the AFC Championship game just under nine months ago, the Chiefs held the MVP-led Ravens offense to just ten points. They proved too much for Jackson, who was sacked three times, and intercepted late in the fourth quarter to near enough seal victory for the Chiefs. Jackson was also held to just over 50 yards rushing, just a week after having 100 yards on the ground and two touchdowns in the AFC Divisional game against the Houston Texans.

Jackson, now entering his seventh season, has shared in preseason interviews that he has lost weight moving onto this season, as he looks to gain some more quickness. Powerhouse Running-back Derrick Henry was also brought in to give the Ravens more strength on the ground game, and stopping both him and Jackson will be undoubtably difficult for the Chiefs.

The Chiefs have lost key cornerback L’Jarius Sneed in free agency to the Tennessee Titans, who was a key piece in the defense, however still have the trio of Trent McDuffie, Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson to help stop the Ravens. They also managed to keep the best pass-rusher in the NFL, Chris Jones for the forecoming season, and he is expected to play another huge role in giving offenses nightmares game in and game out. The Chiefs defence really stepped up and made a difference last year on their run to the Super Bowl, but the question now is can they repeat that feat against the Ravens once again.

The Battle Of Two Top Tight Ends

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When these two sides met in January, there was one key piece of the Ravens offense missing, their starting tight end Mark Andrews. His season was cut short after ten games, after suffering an ankle injury against the Bengals in Week 11.

Andrews also suffered a car accident during the preseason, that saw him miss two weeks of training camp. However, he is expected to return for week one action and will likely have a large part to play. In six seasons, the 28-year-old has become Jackson’s most reliable target, bringing in 40 touchdown passes, the second most of any other tight end across the league in that time period.

At number one though, is the now world-famous Chiefs Tight-End Travis Kelce. Now turning 34, there are many question marks surrounding Kelce, however he has shown no signs of slowing down.In last years matchup between the two, Kelce had over 100 yards on 11 catches and a touchdown.In the Super Bowl, Kelce produced again, with nine catches for 93 yards.

Kelce has also agreed a two-year deal this off season to keep him at the Chiefs. The two starting tight ends in this matchup will certainly have big parts to play on their respective offenses and could be key in helping their team to a week one victory.

A Rookie Who Will Be Looking To Make An Instant Impact

Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

Worthy became an immediate head turner at the NFL combine, as he broke the record for the fastest 40-yard dash time in history, with a time of 4.21 seconds. His numbers for Texas in college spoke for themselves, with a total of 2755 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns throughout his three seasons at the Longhorns. And to every other team’s demise, Worthy was picked with the 28th selection in the first round to join up with Patrick Mahomes and the back-to-back Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs.

Despite currently being ranked WR3 on the depth chart, Worthy could still have a large part to play and make a huge impact. WR2 Marquise Brown is doubtful, which could see Worthy have plenty of targets this week one. In his only game in the preseason, Worthy had three catches for 62 yards, and a 22-yard touchdown catch to cap off an impressive showing.

There has been plenty of buzz around Worthy on social media, with him and Mahomes’ connection already been put on display on numerous occasions. The wide receiver could have a real big part to play with his speed and explosiveness this season, and don’t be surprised if he begins his rookie campaign with some big plays on Thursday night. 

A Chance At Redemption For Zay Flowers

Second year wide receiver Zay Flowers will be coming into this matchup with a point to prove. In the AFC championship game, Flowers had five catches for 115 yards and scored the teams only touchdown. However, despite having a huge impact for their offense, he is more remembered for his fumble into the end-zone whilst diving for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to make it a three-point game. It was L’Jarius Snead who forced the fumble on the one-yard line, which was then picked up by the Chiefs in the end-zone, giving them possession.

This was a play that could have completely changed the outcome of the game slipped away from his hands, and the Chiefs, as we know, held on for victory.In his rookie regular season, Flowers led the team in both receptions the receiving yards and is poised for another strong year in the upcoming season. With some changes in the Chiefs secondary, Flowers will have the opportunity to make his wrong doings right in week one, and will no doubt have a big role in the first game of the season.

ALEX MERSON

NFL ANALYST

Previously writing for Ninety-Nine Yards, Alex is a sports content creator and Football Journalism Student at the University of Derby. Follow him on Twitter at @AlexMerseJourno.

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