Ravens coach John Harbaugh said his team knows all about Patrick Mahomes’ improvisational skills.

That’s not to say the Chiefs quarterback is taking comedy lessons. Harbaugh talked about Mahomes’ ability to make a difference on the football field.

“You really have to take that into account. Nobody does it like Patrick Mahomes,” Harbaugh told reporters this week when asked about Mahomes’ ability to go off script. “I’m not talking about the level, I’m talking about the style. He’s his own guy as far as how he plays. How fast the ball comes out on the get-it-outs and how long he takes, as long as he needs to, to try to find a finish or a scramble run on the balls that aren’t out fast. So that’s his ability. He’s great at that.”

Will Mahomes’ improvisational skills help the Chiefs defeat the Ravens in Thursday’s NFL Kickoff game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium?

Here’s who 49 experts are predicting for the Chiefs-Ravens game. Kickoff is at 7:20 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on KSHB (Channel 41).

The Chiefs are the pick of six of eight writers at CBS Sports: Pete Prisco, Will Brinson, Jared Dubin, Ryan Wilson, Tyler Sullivan and Jamey Eisenberg. The Ravens are the favorites: Dave Richard and John Breech. Prisco predicted a final score of 24-18. This is part of what he wrote: “Lamar Jackson is playing behind a rebuilt offensive line, which could be a problem early in the season against a team that loves to blitz. The Chiefs will be better on offense this year than last year, which will show here. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs defense are both off to a good start. The Chiefs win.”

Bill Bender of Sporting News predicts a 27-21 Chiefs victory. Here’s an excerpt from his story: “Will Derrick Henry, 30, help rewrite the script for Baltimore, or will the Chiefs march in style to a potential third straight victory? Kansas City lost its Week 1 opener on Thursday night last season in a game marred by dropped passes. This game is cleaner, and Kansas City continues to outscore Baltimore in the fourth quarter.”

The Chiefs are the pick of six of nine writers at the Athletic: Ben Standig, Michael-Shawn Dugar, Zac Jackson, Austin Mock, Tashan Reed and Josh Kendall. The Ravens are Chad Graff, Matt Schneidman and Josiah Turner. Here’s an excerpt from Mark Ross’ story: “Whether you want to focus on this being a playoff second half, a matchup between MVP quarterbacks or Super Bowl-winning head coaches, this is the kind of game tailor-made to open the NFL season.”

Three of four USA Today writers have the Ravens as the favorite: Lorenzo Reyes (final score 23-17), Safid Deen (26-23) and Richard Morin (23-21). The Chiefs are the favorite: Tyler Dragon (24-23). ​​Deen wrote, “Baltimore may not be able to avenge what was at stake in last season’s AFC title game loss, but it needs a win to thwart Kansas City’s title defense. Derrick Henry should have a steady workload to take the pressure off Lamar Jackson and the Ravens and give Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense limited chances to hurt them on Thursday night. Justin Tucker wins for the Ravens.”

Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press predicts a 23-19 Chiefs victory. Here’s part of what he wrote: “The Ravens had nine wins by at least 14 points last season against teams with a winning record. They signed star running back Derrick Henry but have three new starters on the offensive line.”

Half of Bleacher Report’s eight writers have picked the Chiefs: Gary Davenport, Kris Knox, Maurice Moton and Vince Michelino. A Ravens win is the pick for Brad Gagnon, Ian Hanford, Wes O’Donnell and Brent Sobleski. Hanford wrote, “I think Lamar Jackson gets his second career win over Patrick Mahomes in the 2024 season opener. Although Kansas City dominated Baltimore (and to some extent all of September), Jackson should be motivated after losing the AFC Championship Game to the eventual Super Bowl champions last season. Another year of Todd Monken’s offense and the signing of Derrick Henry prove to be just enough to beat Steve Spagnuolo’s defense in a back-and-forth game to start the year.”

The Chiefs will win, say seven of eight Sports Illustrated writers: Albert Breer, Connor Orr, Mitch Goldich, Matt Verderame, Gilberto Manzano, Jennifer Piacenti and Peter Dewey. Baltimore was Iain MacMillan’s choice.

Jeremy Cluff of the Arizona Republic predicts a 24-23 Chiefs victory. Here’s part of what he wrote: “The mood in Kansas City should be raucous. The Chiefs will pull out a thrilling win.”

The Chiefs are the choice of eight of nine ESPN experts: Matt Bowen, Dan Graziano, Jeremy Fowler, Kalyn Kahler, Moses Moody, Jason Reid, Lindsey Thiry and Seth Wickersham. For the Ravens: Kimberly Martin.