Baltimore Ravens (3-1)
At
Kansas City Chiefs (1-3)
Sunday 1pm, Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Finally the Ravens play a 1pm Sunday game. I mean I love being in the national spotlight and in the primetime games, but I also enjoy Sunday Fundays and getting to bed at a reasonable hour, so the 1pm games are perfectly fine with me. That being said, it feels like forever since the Ravens last took the field narrowly squeaking by the Browns at home. Teams tend to react differently when they break their routine and sometimes having more than a week off in between games isn’t good for the players. This game is one I had circled when the Ravens schedule was first released as I do not know what to think about the outcome. Arrowhead is one of the toughest places to play in football and honestly I don’t think the Chiefs are as bad as they have looked at times this season. Will the Ravens take care of business? Or once again will they lay the proverbial egg? Here is my take:
Ravens Offense vs. Chiefs Defense
Last year we saw the what great defense looked like when the Chiefs stymied Aaron Rodgers and the seemingly unstoppable Green Bay defense and handed them their only regular season loss. The Chiefs played the entire season last year without their playmaking safety Eric Berry, who I believe will be one of the best defensive players in football within a few seasons, but their defense has not been stout this season. We have seen them get torched by the Bills, Falcons and Chargers giving up more than 30 points in each of those losses (although turnovers played a huge part in the Chargers game.) I just don’t see this being a good matchup for them. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the Ravens have the capability of being one of the best offenses in football and there are few defenses that can match up with their playmakers. If Cam Cameron doesn’t make any stupid play calls the Ravens should be able to go up and down the field seemingly at will on this Chiefs defense. I don’t know why but Joe Flacco tends to be a different QB on the road but I believe a lot of that has to do with conservative play calling. I expect a big game from Flacco (at least 275 yards) and look for him to spread the wealth to all of his pass catchers.
Advantage: Ravens
Chiefs offense vs. Ravens defense
Remember earlier in this preview where I mentioned that I don’t think the Chiefs are as bad as they have looked this season? Well the reason their record sits at 1-3 is because of their quarterback and I believe they will never be successful with Cassel under center. Look, the Chiefs have one of the best running backs in football in Jamal Charles, they have a speedy physical receiver in Dwayne Bowe, who at times looks like he can’t be covered, and they have a talented tight end who can create mismatches when he is actually healthy and on the field. Sounds kind of similar to the Ravens offense, doesn’t it? However there is one major exception – Matt Cassel sucks! I’m sorry, I know he “led” them to the playoffs two years ago but does he really scare any opposing defense? No he doesn’t.
That being said, any quarterback can look good when they have time to throw the ball and the Ravens just yielded more than 300 passing to rookie Brandon Weeden last week so they can be vulnerable. The Browns didn’t have nearly the receiving corps the Chiefs have so there is a little cause for concern. If Jamal Charles is having a big day (which I think he might) then the Ravens defense will struggle to get off the field and the Chiefs will score. Despite everything I just said, the phrase “Brady Quinn might get some plays at quarterback” was used by the Chiefs coaching staff this week. That is all you need to know about why they have struggled this year and why the Ravens defense has the advantage.
Advantage: Ravens
Special Teams:
I wish I had more to write here and better analysis but honestly I really don’t. Both teams have good kickers who are used to kicking outdoors, so if the game comes down to a field goal, neither really has an upper hand. Neither team has had a return touchdown this season and both possess good – but not great – returners. Honestly, I probably should have done more research on the Chiefs return game but I have been busy watching my baseball team clinch a playoff spot. I will make a prediction though and say that a big return will happen that either results in a return TD or sets up the offense deep into their opponent’s territory. The only way the Chiefs have a shot of winning this game is by making the aforementioned big play on special teams.
Advantage: Even
Prediction:
Clearly I was way off with my prediction last week that the Ravens would destroy the Browns, so I will try and do better this week. I won’t lie, this game shouldn’t be close but it has me worried and the Ravens should definitely not overlook the Chiefs. I have watched enough Ravens football to know their propensity for coming out flat and playing down to their opponents especially on the road. The Chiefs have playmakers on offense and if Matt Cassel can not suck too badly the Chiefs have a shot. I hope over this lengthy break Cam Cameron realizes how good this offense is and that playing conservatively works right into the defense’s hands. If the Ravens come out clicking on offense this will be a rout. I believe it will be close but ultimately Ravens fans will be celebrating and then hopefully preparing for Game 1 of matchup between the Orioles and Yankees later that day.
Ravens 27 Chiefs 17
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