Section 400’s Week 1 Thursday Night Football Roundtable

Thursday Night Football is back! As they did last season, the guys up in section 400 are here to answer some of the biggest questions heading into each annoyingly-placed game on the NFL schedule.

In the first NFL roundtable of 2024, Brian, Matt, Jack, and Zach talk Super Bowl expectations, new faces in new places, best bets, and elite quarterbacks. Make sure to check back every Thursday and Monday throughout the season for our takes on each primetime NFL contest!

The Last Great American Dynasty

The Chiefs come into this season as co-favorites with the 49ers to win the Super Bowl for a record third time in a row. The Ravens on the other hand are third. Which one of these 2023 AFC finalists has the better year in 2024?

BH: I said it in a million times in the postseason last year and I’ll reiterate it again here. I am finished doubting Patrick Mahomes. If he and the Chiefs are able to three-peat, which is something Tom Brady and the Patriots never did, the GOAT conversation becomes an actual debate. I’d rather bet on the quarterback that instills IBS in opposing defenses, not the one that get’s a “tummy-ache” every time he steps onto the field in a big game.

MK: The Ravens are the regular season try hards and choke in playoffs. Baltimore will finish with more wins over the course of 2024, but they won’t get it tonight!

JA: I really do think this is Baltimore’s year to win the AFC, and maybe the Super Bowl. Lamar Jackson is the second ranked quarterback in my rankings for a reason. Baltimore has all the talent to get it done.

ZM: I think the Chiefs have a great team this year and are the clear favorites to win the Super Bowl. I have the Kansas City finding a way to get back to New Orleans for a chance to win it all once again.

Look What You Make Me Do

Despite another Super Bowl win, Patrick Mahomes struggled to connect with his pass catchers for much of 2023. Kansas City comes into this season with a new-look receiving room featuring Hollywood Brown and first-round pick Xavier Worthy. Which pass catcher not named Travis Kelce has the best season for the Chiefs in 2024?

BH: When the founding fathers of the United States entitles state governments to a profusion of power over other entities, I don’t think they accounted for Roger Goodell and the NFL completely overriding any kind of due process. Either way, Rashee Rice is set to play in week one, and probably beyond, in 2024 so he should be in line to be “the guy” in Kansas City. I do think Xavier Worthy develops into an important weapon for the game’s best quarterback, but it could take some time.

MK: Hollywood Brown is a proven receiver that Patrick Mahomes can trust. When he gets back on the field, he will be the No. 1 option for his quarterback.

JA: My guy Rashee Rice is “the guy” in Kansas City. He’s going to finish the regular season with 100 catches, 1,450 yards, and 8 touchdowns.

ZM: Rashee Rice is that guy on the football field. He will build off last season to become a stud for the Chiefs again this season.

…Ready For It?

Despite having an elite rushing attack throughout Lamar Jackson’s career, the Ravens have never had a true, workhorse, running back to line up in the backfield with the two-time MVP. Now they bring in Derrick Henry. What kind of stat-line do you think the 30-year-old bruiser ends up with this season?

BH: You know that episode of “The Office” where Michael can’t make up his mind on whether to get a vasectomy? That was me, Matt, and Jack every time we talked about Derrick Henry on the podcast last season. One week we were snipping out any hopes of him returning to form, then we’d snap back into it and bet on his rushing totals the next. I think he’s got something left, but it looks more like 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns than it does a 1,400+ yard campaign.

MK: If Baltimore gives Henry the same workload he got with the Titans, “King Henry” can run for 1,200+ yards easily. I want to wait and see what this offense looks like tonight before I say anything crazy though.

JA: In terms of yards? Hopefully not too high if Baltimore wants to compete for a Super Bowl in February. They’ll need to keep Henry fresh for their inevitable playoff run. I’ll draw it up for just over 1,000 yards, but let’s add a whopping 16 touchdowns to those 1,000 yards.

ZM: Derrick Henry won’t even be the leading rusher on his team. I have Lamar Jackson as the leading rusher in Baltimore over him.

Wildest Dreams

Alright fellas, it’s time to put our betting records on the line once again. What is your favorite play to open up the 2024 season?

BH: I mentioned it on the podcast today. Zay Flowers has been clamoring to avenge his season-altering fumble against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game mere months ago. He is going OVER his projected line of 56.5 receiving yards tonight.

MK: The Ravens are about to run the football. Lamar Jackson UNDER 217.5 passing yards is the play.

JA: We talked about the Chiefs wide receivers earlier in this roundtable. Rashee Rice is the guy, and he’ll be the guy tonight. Rashee Rice OVER 60.5 receiving yards is my favorite bet on the board.

ZM: I’ll keep it simple to open up the season. Kansas City is the better team. My best bet Chiefs (-3).

‘Tis The Damn Season

Matt was the only one to guess a score correctly in one of these roundtables last season. Can we start off 2024 with a direct hit? Give me your best prediction for tonight’s opener!

BH: I came so close so many times in 2023, it wouldn’t suprise me at all if I finally hit on one of these when I can’t watch. I’ll take the Chiefs in a close one, 26-23.

MK: Chiefs 23 Ravens 20.

JA: I’m eerily close to the same score as Matt. Chiefs 24 Ravens 20.

ZM: Kansas City is going to light the world on fire tonight. They win big, 35-23.