Well, folks, we’ve finally made it. Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season is behind us, and tomorrow night, the Ravens have a chance to claw back some of what was lost last season. With emotions and expectations riding high in January, Baltimore fell to Kansas City. On Thursday night, the two meet up again.
This time around, the Ravens will be playing for something more than just a Super Bowl berth: the memories of the late Joe D’Alessandris and Jacoby Jones.
For 12 and Joe D 💜 pic.twitter.com/3MKIvAyovY
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 3, 2024
This season, we play for Joe D and Jacoby 💜 pic.twitter.com/URHUl5fbtZ
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 3, 2024
The helmet patch is a great gesture on the part of the franchise, as it’s often so easy to forget the losses the Ravens community has endured since last season. Joe D and Jacoby were both instrumental to the fabric of the Ravens, and their lives will be honored accordingly this season.
John Harbaugh on the Ravens’ commemorative decals honoring the late Joe D’Alessandris and Jacoby Jones:
“What an opportunity to remember, honor, love two people that we were with all those years.” pic.twitter.com/n9wJ5cEPn2
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) September 3, 2024
On the football side, Kyle Hamilton – as always – will be a key figure in Thursday night’s matchup. I have no doubt Patrick Mahomes will target TE Travis Kelce early and often, and I fully expect Hamilton to be Kelce’s primary defender. While Hamilton performed well last season, history favors the victor:
Kyle Hamilton had one of his best games as a Raven against the Chiefs btw. Everyone just looks at this play and says he stunk, which he couldn't of even done anything better here. https://t.co/FZvjOOmTa7
— Matt King (@yappmatt) September 3, 2024
One way or another, Baltimore should feel like the TNF matchup is a must-win. Without a doubt, it’s one of the more noteworthy Week 1 opponents I can recall. For Roquan Smith, though, the solution to KC’s powerful attack is simple:
What’s the key to slowing down Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs?
Roquan Smith: Stop the run and make them one-dimensional pic.twitter.com/DCtc2AORF3
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 1, 2024
While you may not think of the Chiefs’ offense as run-heavy, limiting it means minimizing unpredictability. By stopping the run and forcing KC to pass (even knowing that Mahomes is said passer), DC Zach Orr will have an easier job.
Seeing KC’s injury report, too, stopping the run provides an even larger advantage:
Hollywood Brown did not practice today.
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) September 3, 2024
Hollywood is a polarizing name in Baltimore, but I expect him to produce with the Chiefs. His absence will force Mahomes and HC Andy Reid to focus on Kelce and WR Rashee Rice, a much easier task for Baltimore’s defense.
Meanwhile, the Ravens are set up well on the injury front, with only rookie EDGE Adisa Isaac missing Tuesday’s practice.
Only Raven not practicing is rookie OLB Adisa Isaac (hamstring). Barring any late practice week setbacks, they'll be pretty close to full strength from a health standpoint heading into Thursday.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 3, 2024
EDGE is still a concern for me, but Baltimore still has a stud on the interior in Nnamdi – that’s right, Nnamdi – Madubuike. The breakout D-Lineman recently changed his name, and Giana Han of The Baltimore Banner had a great piece on it Tuesday:
He was Justin Madubuike on Sunday. Monday, he decided to officially go by Nnamdi Madubuike in the NFL.
What happened from one Ravens practice to the next to help the Ravens Pro Bowl DT decide?https://t.co/OkWd7Du3rp
— Giana Han (@giana_jade) September 3, 2024
Madubuike has a powerful story, and it’s especially fun given the inspiration he received from Odafe Oweh, formerly known as Jayson. Funny enough, Madubuike’s namesake hasn’t been his only recent headline. Rather, his contract was restructured on Tuesday:
The Ravens have restructured the contracts of DT Nnamdi Madubuike and K Justin Tucker, per @FieldYates.
They’ve now created $9.3M in cap space since yesterday, including Roquan Smith’s restructured deal.
— 𝗥𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝙇𝙄𝙑𝙀 (@LIVERavenNation) September 3, 2024
Looking at the cap shakeout ahead of these moves, it’s clear they were necessary:
Even after Roquan Smith's restructure, the Ravens are still ~$1M over the Salary Cap. So, they will need to restructure another deal to get under the Cap by Weds at midnight and to have Cap space for weekly PS-elevations and excess space for injury replacements during the season. pic.twitter.com/sI8vYi7BQO
— Brian McFarland (@RavensSalaryCap) September 3, 2024
And, with NBC’s NFL Power Rankings launch on Tuesday afternoon, some might think that cap space should be used to fill needs. Where do you think the Ravens stand in the grand scheme of the NFL heading into Week 1?
What would you change in @ProFootballTalk’s week 1 power rankings? 👀 pic.twitter.com/32ZBGbZzTB
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 3, 2024
More importantly, maybe, where do you think they’ll fall ahead of Week 2?
