Chiefs vs. Ravens player props: Why Patrick Mahomes will thrive through the air

Patrick Mahomes’ receiving corps is as good as it’s been in years. 

Over the offseason, Chiefs brass went out and signed wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and drafted speedster Xavier Worthy with the No. 28 overall pick.

Although Brown will miss the opener with a shoulder injury, Worthy’s presence alone will help Mahomes in the passing game in Thursday’s season opener against the Ravens. 

Mahomes had perhaps the worst season of his career in 2023 in the passing department with a career-high 14 interceptions, a career-worst 7.0 yards per attempt and a 92.6 passer rating. 

Vegas oddsmakers are expecting some improvement with his new weapons this season, though, pegging Mahomes as the favorite to lead the NFL in passing yards. 

He’ll get his first licks against the Ravens in Kansas City, where his passing yards over/under are sitting at 267.5 at BetRivers Sportsbook hours before kickoff.

Mahomes went over this number in half of his games (10/20) last season, including the Chiefs’ playoff run. 

But from 2018-23, Mahomes had no problem clearing 267.5 passing yards on a regular basis, throwing for 268+ in nearly two-thirds (63.1 percent) during the regular season over that period. 

Betting on the NFL?

The Chiefs’ offseason indicates that they want to return to the pass-heavy offense that predated the 2023 season. 

Look for that to ring true on Thursday night’s NFL return.

The play: Patrick Mahomes over 267.5 passing yards (-115, BetRivers)