The Cold, Hard Football Facts have successfully predicted the outcome of NFL games and seasons for over 20 years. Our proprietary stats tell stories very few media outlets can, and they're pulling us away from the public in the season opener. 

The Kansas City Chiefs open up their world title defense with the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football. This is a rematch of last year's AFC Championship Game, where the public faded Patrick Mahomes, and it didn't work out well. Kansas City made Lamar Jackson look the opposite of an MVP, but this game could be an outlier. 

It's tough to bet against Mahomes, and if this were a playoff game, we would be leaning toward Kansas City. Yet, the three points for Baltimore on FanDuel Sportsbook are very appealing, considering they're returning the best team in football, according to the Cold, Hard Football Facts. 

Last season, the Ravens ranked first in the Quality Stats Power Rankings and edged Kansas City in 21 of the 22 proprietary stats. Real Quarterback Rating is the most important stat to predict winning, and Lamar Jackson led Patrick Mahomes by five positions. 

Jackson was fourth in this category and second in Offensive Passer Rating. The Ravens' only weakness was the Defensive Hog Index, and they are still tied with Kansas City in this area.

Outside of the stats, we also like to factor in motivation. The Chiefs are motivated to make their world championship defense, but the Ravens must watch Kansas City get their rings. 

The ceremony shouldn't sit very well with Baltimore, considering they lost a home AFC Championship to help advance the Chiefs to another world title in the Mahomes era. 

Baltimore's Thursday Night Football opener is a must-win game. They need to prove they can play with Kansas City, and the Cold, Hard Football Facts show this is very likely.