Is Zay Flowers playing today? Latest on Ravens WR ahead of Week 1 opener vs Chiefs

Zay Flowers is beginning his sophomore season on a mission. In today's Kickoff Game, his Baltimore Ravens visit the Kansas City Chiefs in a rematch of last season's AFC Championship Game.

And the good news for fans is that he has been spotted arriving at Arrowhead Stadium, meaning he will play:

Just as he was as a rookie, Flowers is expected to be one of the Ravens' starting WRs beside Rashod Bateman. USA Today predicted that the Chiefs will assign cornerback Trent McDuffie to him, while Jaylen Watson gets the start to potentially cover Bateman.

Other Ravens stars expected to start are quarterback Lamar Jackson, running back Derrick Henry, tight end Mark Andrews and cornerback Marlon Humphrey.

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How did Zay Flowers fare in his last game against the Chiefs?

That last game was the aforementioned AFC Championship Game, where Zay Flowers undid his strong performance with a costly mistake.

He had five receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown, but most fans will remember only what he did early in the fourth quarter. During the period's first snap, with the Ravens down 17-7, he dove into the endzone and dropped the ball, resulting in a touchback and possession for the Chiefs. He also committed a taunting penalty after securing a catch.

During the offseason, the team dropped Odell Beckham Jr., one of its veteran FA acquisitions at WR beside Nelson Agholor. Derrick Henry then joined the team, replacing now-Chargers back Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins.

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Zay Flowers moving past 2023 Championship game fumble as Ravens rematch Chiefs

Heading into today's Kickoff Game, Flowers is determined to prove that a fumble in a title-deciding playoff game, though it motivates him, will not define him for the rest of his career. He said on Tuesday:

"I just want to have a better season. We've been working toward our main goal, which is a championship. So, last season is last season. I use it as fuel, but it’s a new season. (If) I think about that, then I'm going to mess myself up."

Coverage of the Kickoff Game is expected to begin at 8:20 ET/7:20 CT on NBC. Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth and Melissa Stark will be the broadcast personnel.