What must the Kansas City Chiefs do to beat the Ravens? Some keys to monitor Sunday
The Chiefs and Ravens renew acquaintances in Week 2 on Sunday Night Football at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The Chiefs are 1-0, the Ravens 0-1.
Both AFC powerhouses are favorites to advance to the postseason in their respective divisions, so this heavyweight matchup provides a good test no matter who you’re pulling for.
The Chiefs hold a 7-4 edge in the all-time series (regular season and postseason) and have won the last four in a row, including last year’s 34-20 victory in Baltimore. There’s also no apparent homefield advantage for the Ravens, as the Chiefs are 5-1 at games played at M&T Bank Stadium.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid holds a 6-1 record, including 4-0 in Kansas City, against the Ravens. Reid is also 5-1 against Ravens coach John Harbaugh, who served as one of Reid’s assistant while Reid was with the Philadelphia Eagles.
From two former NFL MVP quarterbacks in Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson to the Chiefs seeing old friends Sammy Watkins and Justin Houston on the opposing sideline, this sets up as another entertaining game.
Here are four key areas to monitor for the Chiefs.
CONTAIN JACKSON
Jackson, simply put, is a problem.
He can still hurt you with his legs as one of the NFL’s top dual-thread quarterbacks. But the 2019 NFL MVP has evolved as a more-than-capable passer within Baltimore’s scheme, impressing his counterpart in Kansas City.
“You can tell he has a better understanding of the offense, just like I have,” Mahomes said. “When you first get out there, me in my first year and him in his first year, you have to rely on your play-making capability.
“But, as you kind of continue to learn and evolve as a passer, and you learn different things in this league and you see different defenses, you understand little tricks of the trade you can do to go out there and have success. You can see that with him, and obviously when it comes down to it he can make plays happen pretty much every game.”
Jackson, who completed 64.4% of his passes with a 99.3 passer rating last season, has weapons, too, including former Chiefs receiver Watkins.
“We know Sammy quite well and how really good he is,” Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. “Our guys respect that on the back end.”
In addition to Watkins, who joined the Ravens as a free agent during the offseason, Jackson can look for receivers Marquise Brown and Devin Duvernay, and tight end Mark Andrew.
HANDLE THE RUN
The Chiefs allowed 153 yards rushing and four touchdowns to the Browns in last weekend’s 33-29 comeback win against Cleveland.
It won’t get easier against a Ravens team that’s built to run.
In addition to Jackson’s ability to get outside the pocket, the Ravens incorporate a punishing ground game even after losing running backs Gus Edwards (knee), J.K. Dobbins (knee) and Justice Hill (Achilles) to injured reserve. Baltimore simply reloaded with Ty’Son Williams and Latavius Murray, and recently brought up veteran Devonta Freeman from its practice squad.
The Ravens lost to the Raiders in Week 1 but pounded out 189 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries. They totaled 158 yards on 21 carries in last year’s game against the Chiefs.
The Chiefs need to brace for that ground attack regardless of who lines up in the backfield Sunday night.
“We’re defending the scheme,” Spagnuolo said. “This is our feeling: Whoever they put there at running back is going to be a good running back.”
CHIEFS’ FRONT VS. RAVENS’ FRONT
Members of the Chiefs new-look offensive line, including rookie starters Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith and Lucas Niang, got their feet wet against a star-studded Browns front last weekend.
And for the most part, the Chiefs’ front five held its own.
Now comes the Baltimore front that boasts Brandon Williams, Derek Wolfe, Calais Campbell and former Chiefs star Houston. Linebackers Patrick Queen and Pernell McPhee, a solid pass rusher, can also be disruptive.
“Fast,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said of the Ravens’ defense. “They’re fast; they get to the ball.”
The Ravens also like to blitz, which could work against them with Mahomes under center. Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy believes his offensive line will be ready thanks to the experiences gained in last week’s opener.
“Just because of the chemistry they’ve developed,” Bieniemy said. “Those guys understand the importance of being on the same page.”
UNLEASH KELCE (AGAIN)
The Ravens had issues in Week 1 against Raiders tight end Darren Waller, who hauled in 10 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown on 19 targets. Nineteen.
Waller ranks among the NFL’s best tight ends, but he’s not in the same universe as Chiefs All-Pro Travis Kelce. If Waller was able to run that free against the Ravens, imagine what the Chiefs’ coaching staff must be thinking.
Kelce caught two TD passes against the Browns and has averaged 81.5 yards per game against Baltimore.
Mahomes also has wide receiver Tyreek Hill to put pressure on the Ravens’ coverage scheme, but Kelce could be feasting early and often.
This story was originally published September 17, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
