Ravens at Chiefs outlook
By: Jake Rajala
The two best 1-2 teams in NFL history, the Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs, duke it out at 4:25 tomorrow. Each team needs a win to have a legit chance of winning their division. The Chiefs already lost to the LA Chargers, and the Ravens have lost to a pair of playoff contenders (Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills).
With that enunciated, I’m going to unfold five players to watch for the ultimate AFC duel.
Justice Hill
Justice Hill doesn’t have the sexiest stat line this season, as he’s only run the ball five times for -7 yards. With that said, he won’t have negative yardage forever. It will be fascinating to see how involved he will be, given that Derrick Henry has fumbled three times in three games. King Henry will likely split carries with Justice late in the game. The defenders will smell blood on Henry late in the game and attack the football.
Xavier Worthy
The secret is out: Xavier Worthy is back! There has been a ton of stress on Andy Reid to brew something together that could help Mahomes, especially deep down the field. Travis Kelce is sure-handed, but father time is catching up to him. Worthy can be a 1k yard WR in the Chiefs offense. He can take it the distance on screens and on jet sweeps.
Kyle Van Noy
Kyle Van Noy is a star, but he hasn’t lived up to expectations in two games this season. He recorded 12.5 sacks last season. Well, he has a whopping zero sacks thus far. The key to beating Mahomes is pressuring him with the front four and not blitzing. If Van Noy can harass Patty Mahomes, then the Ravens can sit back and not worry about Worthy or Hollywood Brown torching them.
Harrison Butker
Harrison Butker has a big leg, but he is 24th in FG% on the season thus far. The Ravens/Chiefs will likely be a tight battle. It will be paramount that Butker can make long field goals, as I believe the Ravens will score at least 30 pts. If Butker struggles in the loss, it wouldn’t be surprising that KC called the Ravens ex-kicker Justin Tucker for a tryout.
Kareem Hunt
Kareem Hunt is the Chiefs bull-dozer. He will get the short distance carries. I foresee him getting 4th down carries, which will have a massive outcome on the game. Hunt can also be a critical blocker on 3rd down. Hunt is the Chiefs secret weapon, despite being listed as the RB2.
Honorable Mention:
Chris Jones
Of course, Chris Jones is arguably the best defender on the Chiefs. Make no mistake, he should make plays against the run and the pass. The key is: can he contain Lamar Jackson? He lost contain on Justin Herbert on the Chargers final drive in Week 1, which led to Herbert picking up a first down. Chris needs to worry less about his sack total and Pro Bowl votes and more about being a team player.
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