2024 is shaping up to be a vital season for the Baltimore Ravens.
With Lamar Jackson locked and loaded as their franchise quarterback, the Ravens are desperately seeking to get over the hump and end their reoccurring playoff disappointments.
Baltimore players are still talking about just how painful their home playoff loss was to the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in last season’s AFC Championship Game.
Speaking of the Chiefs, the NFL schedule-makers didn’t hesitate to make the Ravens the opening night opponent for Kansas City when they kick off their title defense on Thursday, September 5th.
There were many directions the league could have gone in, but they decided a good old-fashioned Ravens-Chiefs rematch was the way to go.
While the vast majority of the football world is thrilled with the decision, Jackson made it clear that he couldn’t care less who their opening opponent is.
“I really don’t care who we play; it really didn’t matter,” Jackson said.
“At the end of the day, our goal is to make it to the Super Bowl. We lost to them in the playoffs. Just us beating them in the regular season doesn’t really do anything; it just helps us keep stacking up wins to hopefully make it to the playoffs if anything to try to get in that same position again and hopefully be successful.
“It really doesn’t matter who we play [in the] first game; obviously it’s the Chiefs, but I really didn’t care.”
While Jackson is being realistic in acknowledging that the opening night game is just a regular season matchup and doesn’t carry nearly as much weight as a sudden-death playoff game, he did also admit that the Ravens have “a little chip on our shoulder.”
In other words, he can downplay it all he wants, but there’s no denying that emotions will be running high come September 5th.
Plus, it’s safe to say there will be major playoff implications on the line, especially when it comes to potential tie-breakers scenarios.
One of the main storylines of that night will be future Hall of Famer Derrick Henry who will be making his Ravens debut. (What a match made in heaven that is.)
As for the Chiefs, they’ll be attempting to pull off a historic Super Bowl three-peat.
It may seem like a near-impossible feat, but we all know not to ever count out Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes.
As far as the opener against Baltimore, it’s safe to assume the Ravens won’t be able to sneak up on the Chiefs.
After the way Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions shocked them in the same exact situation last season, you can bet that Kansas City won’t be caught on their heels against Jackson and company this time around.
What are your thoughts on the Ravens-Chiefs season opener?
Where do you rank Jackson among the top quarterbacks in the NFL? … Do you hold his disappointing playoff performances against him?
As for Kansas City, do you think they will actually pull off the three-peat???