chefsos
12-10-2006, 12:41 AM
Some interesting nuggets of information to chew on:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-ravensscout1210,0,6965471.story?coll=bal-sports-football
Ravens scouting report
Sunday, 1 p.m., Arrowhead Stadium, Ch. 13
Sun staff
Originally published December 9, 2006, 6:07 PM EST
Ravens run offense vs. Chiefs run defense: Ravens running back Jamal Lewis continues to run hard but has yet to consistently wear down defenses. He has eclipsed 100 yards once in his past 14 games. Although Kansas City allowed 150 rushing yards against the Cleveland Browns, the Chiefs have usually been stout. Kansas City has limited three of its past four opponents to less than 4 yards a carry. The Ravens' best chance to establish a run game is attacking the edges against Chiefs defensive ends Tamba Hali and Jared Allen, who are better pass rushers than run stoppers. Kansas City has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 21 straight home games, the longest active streak in the NFL. Edge: Chiefs
Ravens pass offense vs. Chiefs pass defense: The Chiefs mainly play a cover-two defense, which means they play both safeties deep to prevent big plays. But that leaves them vulnerable over the middle - especially to tight ends - because linebacker Kawika Mitchell is a liability in pass coverage. Kansas City has allowed six touchdowns to tight ends this season, which could signal a big day for Todd Heap. In six games with coach Brian Billick as the play-caller, quarterback Steve McNair has averaged 230 yards passing. He has thrown seven touchdowns and two interceptions during that time. The Ravens have given up 16 sacks, fourth fewest in the league. Edge: Ravens
Chiefs run offense vs. Ravens run defense: This matches the NFL's second-leading rusher against the league's second-best run defense. Chiefs running back Larry Johnson has topped 100 yards in six of his last seven starts, averaging 136.4 yards over that span. While Johnson has never faced the Ravens, he has hammered some tough defenses, going over 100 yards twice against Denver and once against San Diego. This should be his toughest challenge of the season. The Ravens have not allowed a 100-yard rusher this season with linebacker Ray Lewis in the lineup. The past three featured backs to face the Ravens - Cincinnati's Rudi Johnson, Pittsburgh's Willie Parker and Atlanta's Warrick Dunn - each failed to gain more than 52 yards. Edge: Even
Chiefs pass offense vs. Ravens pass defense: The Chiefs have transformed into a run-heavy offense, throwing fewer than 23 passes in three of their past five games. But Trent Green is coming off his best game since returning from a severe concussion, throwing for 297 yards and four touchdowns last Sunday against the Browns. The Ravens haven't allowed a quarterback to pass for more than 234 yards against them in five games. Unlike Cincinnati, Kansas City doesn't have legitimate deep threats at receiver, which will allow the Ravens to play man coverage and blitz more often. The Chiefs' best weapon in the passing game is tight end Tony Gonzalez. Edge: Ravens
Special teams: With return specialist B.J. Sams done for the season with a broken ankle, the Ravens have turned to starting receiver Mark Clayton on punt returns and undrafted rookie Cory Ross on kickoff returns. Ross looked shaky in fielding kicks early in the week. The Chiefs have one of the NFL's most dangerous returners in Dante Hall, who holds a share of the record for the longest kickoff return ever against the Ravens (a 97-yard touchdown in 2003). In what could be a defensive-minded game, the Chiefs have the advantage in punting with Dustin Colquitt, who's fifth in the NFL in average (45.1 yards). Edge: Chiefs
Intangibles: The Chiefs are 20-1 at Arrowhead Stadium in December since 1995, but their 3-5 record against AFC opponents this year makes them look suspect. The Ravens know how to deal with the noise, having won at the deafening Superdome. Not only do the Ravens play better after an extended rest, but they are 28-14 after a loss since 2000 (tied for second-best in the NFL). This game has playoff repercussions for both teams, so neither has an edge in motivation. Edge: Ravens
Prediction: Winning in Kansas City is a challenge, but facing the Ravens' defense is becoming more daunting these days. The Ravens' defense had one major lapse in Cincinnati. It won't have any Sunday.
Ravens, 17-9
[Jamison Hensley]
Matchup to watch
Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata vs. Chiefs guards Brian Waters and Will Shields
George Kokinis, the Ravens' pro personnel director, sizes up a critical matchup against the Chiefs:
The players: The Ravens moved up one spot in this year's draft to select Ngata with the 12th pick overall. In addition to making 35 tackles, Ngata has become a major factor in the Ravens ranking second in run defense.
Ngata left the University of Oregon after his junior season, when he was named the Pacific-10's co-Defensive Player of the Year. He became the first rookie to start full time on the Ravens' defensive line since 2002.
Waters and Shields have been named to the past two Pro Bowls, the first time two guards from one team have done so since 1998. Waters, who plays left guard, might be the strongest player on the team. He joined the Chiefs in 2000 after being cut by the Dallas Cowboys in 1999, when he was an undrafted rookie tight end.
Shields, the right guard, has gone to 11 consecutive Pro Bowls, the longest active streak in the NFL. He has been the cornerstone of an offensive line that has paved the way for four of the five best single-season rushing performances in franchise history.
What to watch: It's starting to come together for Ngata. A tribute to him is that he continues to work every day to get better from a technique standpoint, and it's translating on Sundays. He's able to recognize things more quickly and still play sound technique. He's playing fast and playing like a 350-pound tackle, which means he's playing with power.
Over the years, Waters and Shields have helped the Chiefs' running game be one of the best in the league no matter who is behind them. There's no question that running back Larry Johnson is a talented player, but rushing success starts up front.
These guards get people moving on the defense, and it will be up to Ngata to penetrate that. The Ravens need to play on Kansas City's side of the line of scrimmage. If not, holes might begin to open.
Game facts
Matchup
Vs. spread // Ravens 7-5; Chiefs 6-6.
Series // Chiefs lead 3-0.
Last meeting // Chiefs won, 27-24, on Oct. 4, 2004, at Baltimore.
Rankings
Ravens offense // Overall (23), rush (24T), pass (16)
Ravens defense // Overall (1), rush (2), pass (9)
Chiefs offense // Overall (13), rush (6), pass (19)
Chiefs defense // Overall (14), rush (14), pass (15)
Ravens injuries
OUT // LB Dan Cody (knee); RB Musa Smith (neck).
QUESTIONABLE // TE Daniel Wilcox (thigh).
PROBABLE // LB Dennis Haley (ankle); G Keydrick Vincent (thigh); CB Ronnie Prude (illness).
Chiefs injuries
QUESTIONABLE // OT Kyle Turley (shoulder); DE Jimmy Wilkerson (hamstring).
PROBABLE // TE Tony Gonzalez (shoulder); LB Keyaron Fox (back); LB Derrick Johnson (ankle); S Sammy Knight (ankle); DT James Reed (groin); S Jarrad Page (back).
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-ravensscout1210,0,6965471.story?coll=bal-sports-football
Ravens scouting report
Sunday, 1 p.m., Arrowhead Stadium, Ch. 13
Sun staff
Originally published December 9, 2006, 6:07 PM EST
Ravens run offense vs. Chiefs run defense: Ravens running back Jamal Lewis continues to run hard but has yet to consistently wear down defenses. He has eclipsed 100 yards once in his past 14 games. Although Kansas City allowed 150 rushing yards against the Cleveland Browns, the Chiefs have usually been stout. Kansas City has limited three of its past four opponents to less than 4 yards a carry. The Ravens' best chance to establish a run game is attacking the edges against Chiefs defensive ends Tamba Hali and Jared Allen, who are better pass rushers than run stoppers. Kansas City has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 21 straight home games, the longest active streak in the NFL. Edge: Chiefs
Ravens pass offense vs. Chiefs pass defense: The Chiefs mainly play a cover-two defense, which means they play both safeties deep to prevent big plays. But that leaves them vulnerable over the middle - especially to tight ends - because linebacker Kawika Mitchell is a liability in pass coverage. Kansas City has allowed six touchdowns to tight ends this season, which could signal a big day for Todd Heap. In six games with coach Brian Billick as the play-caller, quarterback Steve McNair has averaged 230 yards passing. He has thrown seven touchdowns and two interceptions during that time. The Ravens have given up 16 sacks, fourth fewest in the league. Edge: Ravens
Chiefs run offense vs. Ravens run defense: This matches the NFL's second-leading rusher against the league's second-best run defense. Chiefs running back Larry Johnson has topped 100 yards in six of his last seven starts, averaging 136.4 yards over that span. While Johnson has never faced the Ravens, he has hammered some tough defenses, going over 100 yards twice against Denver and once against San Diego. This should be his toughest challenge of the season. The Ravens have not allowed a 100-yard rusher this season with linebacker Ray Lewis in the lineup. The past three featured backs to face the Ravens - Cincinnati's Rudi Johnson, Pittsburgh's Willie Parker and Atlanta's Warrick Dunn - each failed to gain more than 52 yards. Edge: Even
Chiefs pass offense vs. Ravens pass defense: The Chiefs have transformed into a run-heavy offense, throwing fewer than 23 passes in three of their past five games. But Trent Green is coming off his best game since returning from a severe concussion, throwing for 297 yards and four touchdowns last Sunday against the Browns. The Ravens haven't allowed a quarterback to pass for more than 234 yards against them in five games. Unlike Cincinnati, Kansas City doesn't have legitimate deep threats at receiver, which will allow the Ravens to play man coverage and blitz more often. The Chiefs' best weapon in the passing game is tight end Tony Gonzalez. Edge: Ravens
Special teams: With return specialist B.J. Sams done for the season with a broken ankle, the Ravens have turned to starting receiver Mark Clayton on punt returns and undrafted rookie Cory Ross on kickoff returns. Ross looked shaky in fielding kicks early in the week. The Chiefs have one of the NFL's most dangerous returners in Dante Hall, who holds a share of the record for the longest kickoff return ever against the Ravens (a 97-yard touchdown in 2003). In what could be a defensive-minded game, the Chiefs have the advantage in punting with Dustin Colquitt, who's fifth in the NFL in average (45.1 yards). Edge: Chiefs
Intangibles: The Chiefs are 20-1 at Arrowhead Stadium in December since 1995, but their 3-5 record against AFC opponents this year makes them look suspect. The Ravens know how to deal with the noise, having won at the deafening Superdome. Not only do the Ravens play better after an extended rest, but they are 28-14 after a loss since 2000 (tied for second-best in the NFL). This game has playoff repercussions for both teams, so neither has an edge in motivation. Edge: Ravens
Prediction: Winning in Kansas City is a challenge, but facing the Ravens' defense is becoming more daunting these days. The Ravens' defense had one major lapse in Cincinnati. It won't have any Sunday.
Ravens, 17-9
[Jamison Hensley]
Matchup to watch
Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata vs. Chiefs guards Brian Waters and Will Shields
George Kokinis, the Ravens' pro personnel director, sizes up a critical matchup against the Chiefs:
The players: The Ravens moved up one spot in this year's draft to select Ngata with the 12th pick overall. In addition to making 35 tackles, Ngata has become a major factor in the Ravens ranking second in run defense.
Ngata left the University of Oregon after his junior season, when he was named the Pacific-10's co-Defensive Player of the Year. He became the first rookie to start full time on the Ravens' defensive line since 2002.
Waters and Shields have been named to the past two Pro Bowls, the first time two guards from one team have done so since 1998. Waters, who plays left guard, might be the strongest player on the team. He joined the Chiefs in 2000 after being cut by the Dallas Cowboys in 1999, when he was an undrafted rookie tight end.
Shields, the right guard, has gone to 11 consecutive Pro Bowls, the longest active streak in the NFL. He has been the cornerstone of an offensive line that has paved the way for four of the five best single-season rushing performances in franchise history.
What to watch: It's starting to come together for Ngata. A tribute to him is that he continues to work every day to get better from a technique standpoint, and it's translating on Sundays. He's able to recognize things more quickly and still play sound technique. He's playing fast and playing like a 350-pound tackle, which means he's playing with power.
Over the years, Waters and Shields have helped the Chiefs' running game be one of the best in the league no matter who is behind them. There's no question that running back Larry Johnson is a talented player, but rushing success starts up front.
These guards get people moving on the defense, and it will be up to Ngata to penetrate that. The Ravens need to play on Kansas City's side of the line of scrimmage. If not, holes might begin to open.
Game facts
Matchup
Vs. spread // Ravens 7-5; Chiefs 6-6.
Series // Chiefs lead 3-0.
Last meeting // Chiefs won, 27-24, on Oct. 4, 2004, at Baltimore.
Rankings
Ravens offense // Overall (23), rush (24T), pass (16)
Ravens defense // Overall (1), rush (2), pass (9)
Chiefs offense // Overall (13), rush (6), pass (19)
Chiefs defense // Overall (14), rush (14), pass (15)
Ravens injuries
OUT // LB Dan Cody (knee); RB Musa Smith (neck).
QUESTIONABLE // TE Daniel Wilcox (thigh).
PROBABLE // LB Dennis Haley (ankle); G Keydrick Vincent (thigh); CB Ronnie Prude (illness).
Chiefs injuries
QUESTIONABLE // OT Kyle Turley (shoulder); DE Jimmy Wilkerson (hamstring).
PROBABLE // TE Tony Gonzalez (shoulder); LB Keyaron Fox (back); LB Derrick Johnson (ankle); S Sammy Knight (ankle); DT James Reed (groin); S Jarrad Page (back).