Five things that stood out about the Chiefs’ blowout win vs. Ravens
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Chiefs scored 37 points, their highest total since September 24, 2023.
- Ravens entered as favorites but fell to a dominant all-around Chiefs effort.
- Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo played key role from the sideline.
Facing their worst opening month in a decade, the Chiefs put together an outing they hadn’t produced in two years:
A real blowout.
The Chiefs obliterated the Ravens 37-20, the most points they’ve scored in a game since Sept. 24, 2023 — two years and four days earlier.
It helps that the Ravens’ defense was battered and bruised, though the Ravens were still favored entering the day. Besides, this wasn’t all about the offense anyway.
Here are five observations from immediately after the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium:
1. The defensive scheme
One of the most valuable pieces of the Chiefs’ victory — maybe the most valuable place — didn’t even touch the field.
Steve Spagnuolo.
The Chiefs’ defensive coordinator had Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson’s head spinning.
How?
He switched up the game plan. Again.
The Chiefs ran one of the most blitz-heavy packaged in any game this season in Week 2 — bringing an extra rusher on 60% of the passing plays. A week later, they completely changed course, sitting back and blitzing the Giants only 15.8% of the time.
On Sunday? Back to the pressure — though a specific kind. The Chiefs brought linebacker Nick Bolton up the middle frequently, right in Jackson’s face, prompting some panicked decisions.
After the Ravens marched down the field on their opening drive, their next 17 plays gained only 82 yards, and they turned it over twice — once via interception and the other on downs.
Those two plays had a commonality:
Bolton blitzed freely up the middle.
They had another commonality: They ignited the Chiefs’ best half of football of the year.
2. A speedy return
It turns out, having some explosive speed on the field can make a bit of a difference.
Xavier Worthy returned from a shoulder injury, and you could say he picked up where he left off — except that he left after only three plays.
But Worthy had a terrific training camp and a terrific sort-of debut. The first four times he touched the football gained 85 yards. He already has the longest rush of this Chiefs season.
He finished with five catches for 83 yards and the one 35-yard rush.
It’s not just about how he operates with the ball in his hands. There’s just more space to operate with Worthy part of the mix, and it’s not a coincidence he was on the field for both passing touchdowns. He requires attention. It leaves some space elsewhere.
For three weeks, the Chiefs have had to rely on the combination of scheme and quarterback to move the football.
An elite talent — or even just one specific elite trait — tends to make a difference.
3. Pressure-free?
The Chiefs might have had more pressure on them than any September game since Patrick Mahomes came to town.
But he finally operated without any.
The offensive line turned in by far its best outing of the season. Mahomes was sacked only once, but he also operated far more from the pocket than running around searching for answers.
And this is the result: Mahomes threw for 270 yards and four touchdowns.
Worthy’s day will garner a lot of attention, and it should. But there isn’t a better indicator of this team’s offensive success than keeping Mahomes comfortable.
4. Patrick Mahomes, the underdog
The game put Mahomes in an unfamiliar role
But with a familiar response to it.
Mahomes was an underdog Sunday — the Ravens were 2-point favorites — for just the 16th time in his career, playoffs included. That’s only 11.7% of his career starts.
Funny thing is he only barely has a worse winning percentage as an underdog than he does as a favorite.
Mahomes improved to 11-5 as an underdog — and he did it with a phenomenal day. I’ve mentioned why. Worthy. The offensive line. But Mahomes was terrific on his own.
It’s the first time Mahomes had been an underdog in a September game since the 2020 season.
5. A long day for Chris Jones
It wasn’t the most productive day of Chris Jones’ life.
It had to be among the most taxing.
Jones spent the morning back home for a family member’s funeral. He arrived at the stadium a mere half hour before kickoff — missing warmups — and still started.
And still made an impact.
Jones had only one solo tackle, but it served as a third-down stop that forced the Ravens into a fourth down that they also missed.
Jones also batted down a pass, and he was credited for four quarterback pressures.
This story was originally published September 28, 2025 at 6:32 PM.