The Pros: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs open triple-title bid with win over Ravens

Pro Picks is a weekly column in which AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi shares his predictions for upcoming games. Find all previous Pro Picks here.

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Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs will raise a banner that says “Champions” and begin their quest to become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls.

Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens owe them something.

The NFL season begins Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium with the AFC Championship rematch.

Despite leading the NFL with 13 wins last season, the Ravens fell short against the Chiefs, losing 17-10 at home. Jackson won the NFL MVP award for the second time in five years, but it was bittersweet after another playoff disappointment.

“Every game I play, I feel like it’s a rematch,” Jackson said, refusing to add fuel to the season opener. “I’m not going to look at this game as just a rematch. Everyone we play, whether we beat them or lost to them in years past, I just want to win.”

The Chiefs are trying to avoid becoming the third consecutive Super Bowl champion to lose an NFL opener. The Rams lost to Buffalo in 2022 and Kansas City lost to Detroit last year.

The Chiefs are 3-point favorites, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. The Ravens had nine wins by at least 14 points over teams with a positive record last season. They added star running back Derrick Henry but have three new starters on the offensive line.

Pro Picks likes champions.

BOSSES, 23-19

Green Bay vs. Philadelphia in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Line: Eagles minus 2 1/2

The first NFL game in the American South features two NFC teams in the playoffs. Saquon Barkley joins Jalen Hurts on the Philadelphia offense, and two new coordinators should help coach Nick Sirianni. Jordan Love proved to be a franchise quarterback last season, leading the Packers to a playoff rout of Dallas and a near-up victory over San Francisco. The Eagles need to erase the bitter taste of last season’s slump.

EAGLES, 27-23

Los Angeles Rams in Detroit

Line: Lions minus 3 1/2

A divisional playoff rematch opens Sunday night’s schedule. Jared Goff and the Lions came close to reaching the Super Bowl and won’t settle for anything less than a Lombardi Trophy. Sean McVay’s Rams surprised everyone last season and have assembled talent around quarterback Matthew Stafford.

BEST BET: LIONS, 30-20

Pittsburgh in Atlanta

Russell Wilson makes his first start for the Steelers, while Kirk Cousins ​​makes his debut for the Falcons. Arthur Smith returns to Atlanta as Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator. The Steelers are 13-1-1 against the Falcons in their last 15 games overall. Atlanta is 1-11 ATS (against the spread) in their last 12 games against AFC North opponents.

Line: Falcons minus 3

SPECIAL SURPRISE: STEELERS, 22-20

Jacksonville in Miami

Line: Dolphins minus 3 1/2

The Jaguars bolstered their defense and gave Trevor Lawrence a huge contract to take the next step. Tua Tagovailoa got paid to help Miami secure its first playoff win since 2000. He has more help from Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and a strong running game. Jacksonville is 9-3 against the spread in its last 12 road games but has finished 1-5 ATS in its last six games overall in 2023.

DOLPHINS, 25-23

Minnesota vs. New York Giants

Line: Vikings minus 1 1/2

Sam Darnold takes over for Minnesota, which let Cousins ​​leave in free agency and drafted JJ McCarthy in the first round, only to see him suffer a season-ending knee injury. Daniel Jones returns from injury with a lot to prove after a disastrous season.

VIKINGS, 20-16

Caroline in New Orleans

Line: Saints minus 4

The Panthers have a new coach, Dave Canales, and reason to be optimistic that he can help develop Bryce Young. Saints coach Dennis Allen and quarterback Derek Carr are under pressure to get the team to the playoffs. New Orleans is 2-8 against the spread in their last 10 games going into Week 1.

SAINTS, 17-16

New England in Cincinnati

Line: Bengals minus 7 1/2

Jacoby Brissett starts ahead of rookie Drake Maye, ushering in a new era in New England under Jerod Mayo. Joe Burrow returns to the Bengals, who are looking to make a deep playoff run. The Patriots are 13-4-1 ATS in their last 18 games against AFC North opponents, but that was under Bill Belichick.

BENGAL, 26-16

Tennessee in Chicago

Line: Bears minus 4

Caleb Williams has made Chicago football exciting again and has a ton of talent around him. The Titans have hired Brian Callahan to replace Mike Vrabel and lead the rebuild.

BEARS, 23-17

Arizona in Buffalo

Line: Bills minus 6 1/2

Josh Allen has a new group of receivers, and Buffalo’s defense has a new look. Kyler Murray and the Cardinals came off a losing season last year and added Marvin Harrison Jr. in the draft.

ACCOUNTS, 24-20

Houston in Indianapolis

Line: Texans minus 3

C.J. Stroud led the Texans from worst to first last year and got another starting quarterback in Stefon Diggs. Anthony Richardson is back healthy for the Colts. The Texans are 8-4 ATS in their last 12 road games, but are just 4-10-1 head-to-head against Indianapolis in their last 15 meetings.

TEXANS, 26-22

Las Vegas at Los Angeles Chargers

Line: Chargers minus 3

The Jim Harbaugh era begins in Los Angeles. The Chargers have Justin Herbert. The Raiders are going with Gardner Minshew. Las Vegas has a tough defense that could be the difference.

CHARGERS, 20-18

Denver in Seattle

Line: Seahawks minus 6

Mike Macdonald replaced Pete Carroll in Seattle and is looking to improve the defense. Geno Smith is trying to return to his 2022 form with a wealth of talent to help him. Rookie Bo Nix starts for the Broncos, who are entering their second season under coach Sean Payton.

HAWKS, 27-20

Washington in Tampa Bay

Line: Buccaneers minus 3

Second overall pick Jayden Daniels starts for the Commanders, who also have new coach Dan Quinn to accompany their rookie quarterback. The Buccaneers re-signed Baker Mayfield and all of their key free agents after advancing to the divisional round of the playoffs.

BUCCANERS, 22-20

Dallas in Cleveland

Line: Brown minus 2 1/2

The Cowboys didn’t add much help this offseason after their playoff loss, but they still have Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons. Deshaun Watson returns to a Browns team that made the playoffs with Joe Flacco after he was injured.

COWBOYS, 23-20

New York Jets in San Francisco

Line: 49ers minus 4

Aaron Rodgers is back, and expectations are high for the Jets, who have the NFL’s longest active playoff drought. The 49ers have not reached the Super Bowl and are coming off an eventful preseason.

49ERS, 24-21

Record 2023:

Overall: Straight up: 175-110. Against the spread: 150-125-10

Thursday: Head to head: 13-6. Against the spread: 14-4-1.

Monday: Head to head: 9-12. Against the spread: 13-7-1.

Best bet: Straight up: 9-9. Against the spread: 6-11-1.

Special surprise: Straight up: 8-10. Against the spread: 10-8.