Here is who national experts predict will win Baltimore Ravens at KC Chiefs game
The Chiefs’ game Sunday against the Ravens will be the seventh time the teams have faced off since the 2018 season.
No matchup was bigger than the AFC Championship Game in 2024 when the Chiefs beat the Ravens 17-10 in Baltimore. But with both teams coming into Sunday’s game with a 1-2 record, this contest carries some weight.
“You’d love to leave September with a winning record, but even really at 2-2, you’re fine,” said CBS Sports analyst Matt Ryan. “But I feel like the dynamic certainly changes at 1-3, and the level of desperation changes at 1-3. And I think both these teams are proud, right? Proud organizations that have had late playoff runs. You talk about Kansas City being there, the level of success the last six, seven years has been unbelievable.
“And so I expect it to feel a lot like a playoff type atmosphere. I think the level of intensity, the level of urgency from both sides is going to be that way. I can’t wait to watch it.”
Kickoff is at 3:25 p.m. and the game will air on KCTV (Ch. 5) in Kansas City and on KWCH (Channel 12) in Wichita. Here is who 68 national experts are picking to win the game.
A 27-20 Ravens victory is the prediction from the Los Angeles Times’ Sam Farmer. He wrote: “Kansas City’s offense looks slow and out of sync, while Baltimore has the NFL’s most complete team on paper and Lamar Jackson is always a threat.”
A 24-23 Chiefs win is the call from the Associated Press’ Rob Maaddi. Here’s an excerpt of his story: “Only the 2001 Patriots ever rebounded from 1-3 to win the Super Bowl. Baltimore’s injury-riddled defense couldn’t stop Detroit and the offensive line couldn’t protect Lamar Jackson.”
A 24-21 Ravens victory is the prediction from the Sporting News’ Bill Bender. Here is part of what he wrote: “Will the Chiefs lose a second home game and fall to 1-3? That will start with Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City has not had 250 passing yards in a game yet. The Ravens are coming off a short week and have played against two elite offenses in Buffalo and Detroit.”
A 30-23 Ravens win is the prediction from the Arizona Republic’s Jeremy Cluff. This is from his story: “We just don’t see the Chiefs being able to match the Ravens’ offense in this one. It would take a dynamic defensive performance from Kansas City to have a shot. Patrick Mahomes and company will fall to 0-2 at home and 1-3 on the season.”
Baltimore will win 30-24, says the Miami Herald’s Greg Cote. Here is part of what he wrote: “Baltimore is smarting from that Monday home loss to Detroit — but Crows would be 3-0 if not for a pair of Derrick Henry fumbles. Lamar Jackson has been fabulous in outscoring his own hugely disappointing defense. Patrick Mahomes’ offense has struggled but could get WR Xavier Worthy back here.”
Taking the Ravens are nine of 10 NFL Network analysts.
The Ravens are the choice for four of five writers at NFL.com: Brooke Cersosimo (27-24 final score), Dan Parr (27-23), Gennaro Filice (30-21) and Tom Blair (27-24). Picking KC is Ali Bhanpuri (23-22). This is part of what Filice wrote: “Even if (Xavier) Worthy returns to the lineup on Sunday, will his presence immediately flip the switch on this attack? Color me skeptical. The offense’s problems run deep, starting with a run game that’s completely devoid of juice. With Isiah Pacheco (3.7 yards per carry) and Kareem Hunt (3.5 ypc) past their prime, K.C. doesn’t have the horses to gash Baltimore on the ground like Detroit did on Monday night. The Chiefs, as presently constituted, simply lack the firepower to keep up with the league’s top scoring offense.”
Picking the Ravens are seven of eight writers at CBS Sports: Ryan Wilson, Jamey Eisenberg, Cody Benjamin, Jared Dubin, John Breech, Tyler Sullivan and Dave Richard. Taking the Chiefs is Pete Prisco, who predicts a 24-20 final score. Here’s a snippet of his story: “The Chiefs have offensive issues, while the Ravens have defensive problems. So who will get the best of it? I think, at home, Patrick Mahomes finds a way to score enough points to win it.”
The Ravens are the choice for nine of 11 ESPN experts: Stephania Bell, Matt Bowen, Mike Clay, Jeremy Fowler, Kalyn Kahler, Pamela Maldonado, Moses Moody, Lindsey Thiry and Seth Wickersham. Picking the Chiefs are Dan Graziano and Jason Reid.
Picking Baltimore are four of the seven Sports Illustrated writers: Albert Breer, Clare Brennan, Mitch Goldich and Conor Orr. Going with the Chiefs are John Pluym, Gilberto Manzano and Matt Verderame.
The Ravens are the choice for five of the six USA Today writers: Nick Brinkerhoff (27-22 score), Chris Bumbaca (26-23), Nate Davis (31-27), Tyler Dragon (28-24) and Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (24-20). Taking the Chiefs is Jarrett Bell (30-27).
A Ravens win is the prediction from both Pro Football Talk writers. Mike Florio sees a 27-23 final score, while Chris Simms predicts it will be 30-21.
The Ravens will prevail, say seven of 10 Dallas Morning-News members: Joey Hayden, Joseph Hoyt, Dana Larson, Craig Miller, Abraham Nudelstejer, Newy Scruggs and Kevin Sherrington. Picking the Chiefs are Tim Cowlishaw, Damon Marx and Calvin Watkins.
Three of four “Get Up” analysts on ESPN picked the Ravens.
This story was originally published September 28, 2025 at 7:16 AM.
