Let's talk about the Ravens.

[Direckshun]

The Ravens are a uniquely weird team in Week 14 of the NFL season.

They're weird because their QB position is a great unknown.

Joe Flacco is, of course, the world's most underwhelming Super Bowl MVP, and has sucked this year. We know who he is, we have millions of hours of underwhelming tape to depressingly watch. And he returned to practice this week, but did not play, Eric Berry style.

But that might change. He may see the field.

Which is interesting, because their backup QB, Lamar Jackson, a 1st round selection by the Ravens (albeit with the 32nd pick), is a very weird player. He runs, and runs, and runs with the ball. His completion percentage is a not-terrible 60%. And he's only played three weeks, so tape on him is slim.

We know this: he is fast, he is not afraid to run the ball, and he's a damn gazelle when he does.

The good news: we can probably spy him. His weapons are bleak. Alex Collins is his #1 RB, and he's averaging 3.6 yards a carry. His #1 receiver is John Brown, who initially looked like Tyreek Hill when he first hit the league, but has since statistically slowed down and is now just a good receiver with very difficult speed to account for. Michael Crabtree is their #2 alongside Willie Snead, and Tyreek Hill has more yardage than both of those guys combined, but Crabtree has had good games against us in the past.

As a result, the Ravens are still somehow 13th in the league in yardage, they are averaging 25 points a game.

The Ravens have good pass protection, as they've only given up like 25 sacks or something like that. Ronnie Stanley is their LT.

But really, the Ravens offense wins by trying to run the ball, passing decently, and then letting Lamar Jackson get creative.

As far as the defense is concerned.................. biggest test of the year right here folks.

#1 rated defense in yardage (they're allowing under 300 yards/game).
#1 rated defense in points (they're allowing 17 points/game).

I think it's safe to say we're going to beat those averages but they should still slow us down pretty significantly. I don't know if Patty will have another 4 TD game here.

The Ravens get good pressure on the QB -- they're 9th in the league in sacks, and the pressure comes from everywhere. Suggs has always played well against us but he only has 5.5 this year. They blitz a good amount.

Simply put, the Ravens pass defense will be the biggest challenge Mahomes faces all year. They're allowing under 200 yards passing all season. Eric Weddle is a goddamn general at the back of their defense, and they've got a solid corner or two despite the fact that none of their corners are true ballhawks. Brandon Carr will make a rare appearance against the Chiefs, which is whatever, but he's apparently playing well.

The Ravens have a mean defensive line, and maybe the meanest NT in the league in Brandon Williams. I'm willing to bet they drop everyone in coverage, smother Kelce, and dare Spencer Ware to beat their DL. That's a very tall order, and I don't think our run game is up to the challenge. Mahomes will need to tap every ounce of his MVP talent to get yardage.

In special teams, they have arguably the greatest kicker in modern NFL history in Justin Tucker. They've had one punt return for a TD.

They're 7-5. They're on a three game win streak. Lamar Jackson has started all three games.

Their wins: Bills, Broncos, @Steelers, @Titans, Bengals (no Dalton), Raiders, @Falcons
Losses: @Bengals (Dalton), @Browns, Saints, @Panthers, Steelers

That schedule is all over the place. They beat Pitt in Pitt, but pathetically lose to the Browns. The most damning game on the schedule is the Saints game, where they only lost by a point.

How is this team so good? I've asked before. They have no elite talent on offense and are still racking up yardage and point. They have a damn good defense but don't intercept the ball and they don't have any sack masters like the Chiefs do.

What is going on?

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by TLO

unorthodox playing style

You are talking about Mahomes against the Ravens correct ?

Don't let your PTSD of the Chiefs QB position from previous 40 yrs steal your joy and cause you to panic again.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by JohnDONsey

Dude can’t throw

That doesn’t terrify me at all when we have the best

I get your point and point well taken but it's not like we have the best secondary that can catch a ball and tackle either.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Originally Posted by Hammock Parties

We should feel really good about tomorrow's game.

Andy Reid doesn't lose these kinds of games, period.

Defense needs to come out early with a mindset that they are absolutely not going to be pushed around. Set that standard before the playoffs in Arrowhead.

This team wants to bully them around like Tennessee did. Can’t let it happen whatsoever.

We’re liable to see the Steelers in January and they will want to do the same thing. Can’t have it. Be the bully.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Originally Posted by JohnDONsey

Not really that nervous at all honestly

Probably because Lamar Jackson winning at Areowhead against Mahomes seems unlikely

If there's a way to beat us it's to run the ball and play good defense. That's what the Ravens do.

But, NOBODY has stopped Mahomes yet. And I don't see the Ravens being the first.

Cynthia Freeland NFLN prediction analyst has us winning big 31-23

[CoMoChief]

Load up the box, spy Jackson...make him throw.

Chiefs win 38-21

Hell of a gameplan dont ya think? Not sure why I'm sitting here right now posting this, should be in the Chiefs film room helping Sutton out.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by stevieray

Or dinner that weekend?

have to see. I’m in southern Missouri for Christmas. Driving up Saturday. Time TBD. Be great to go to KC Joes or Jack Stacks. My treat.

[smithandrew051]

Originally Posted by Hog's Gone Fishin

If there's a way to beat us it's to run the ball and play good defense. That's what the Ravens do.

But, NOBODY has stopped Mahomes yet. And I don't see the Ravens being the first.

Cynthia Freeland NFLN prediction analyst has us winning big 31-23

I’m gonna disagree with that first sentence.

Our losses haven’t come to good defenses. Our losses have come to high level QB play, defenses making a few opportunistic plays, a road environment, and us making mistakes. The model of running the ball and stopping our offense hasn’t resulted in a loss yet, because no one has had the personnel to do it for 4 quarters. Also, practically every rule benefits a passing offense anymore.

Denver came close to beating us twice, but ultimately the better QB won both of those games. We’ve been on the other side of this enough times throughout the years to know that QB play consistently decides games in this league.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by Best22

Hope Mahomes can overcome this.

No Hunt, no Watkins vs. tough defense

He’ll have to carry the load

Throwing for 41TDs and 4000 yards in 12 games isnt carrying the load?

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by smithandrew051

I’m gonna disagree with that first sentence.

Our losses haven’t come to good defenses. Our losses have come to high level QB play, defenses making a few opportunistic plays, a road environment, and us making mistakes. The model of running the ball and stopping our offense hasn’t resulted in a loss yet, because no one has had the personnel to do it for 4 quarters. Also, practically every rule benefits a passing offense anymore.

Denver came close to beating us twice, but ultimately the better QB won both of those games. We’ve been on the other side of this enough times throughout the years to know that QB play consistently decides games in this league.

What our 2 losses have in common is the other team making a defensive score.

We don't turn the ball over multiple times we win. Period.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

We need some big plays tomorrow on offense. Like 50+ yarders.

Offense is great but it’s unrealistic to expect them to churn out 8-15 play TD drives all day against this Baltimore defense without Watkins, Benjamin, and of course Hunt.

Luckily, although their secondary is heady, they do lack some speed. We should be able to get behind them a handful of times. Just gotta make the throws and catch it. Their pass rush won’t do much IMO.

[carcosa]

Originally Posted by Chiefshrink

You never do. Who was the dumbass again i.e. to KB signing and the lingering Watkins injury ?

Huh?

Your brain doesn't work properly, dude.

[FloridaMan88]

Originally Posted by TLO

Lamar Jackson's unorthodox playing style is exactly the type of shit that terrifies me.

He's a glorified RB playing the QB position who can't effectively throw the ball.

Also he's gone 3-0 as a starting QB against the Bengals, Raiders and Falcons... all teams who have basically quit on this season.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Originally Posted by KCChiefsFan88

He's a glorified RB playing the QB position who can't effectively throw the ball.

Also he's gone 3-0 as a starting QB against the Bengals, Raiders and Falcons... all teams who have basically quit on this season.

yimp yarp.

On that note, **** it. We’re gonna roll tomorrow.

30-17.

[crayzkirk]

I am still shell shocked from the 40+ years of unbelievable ways that this team has found to lose games it should win. I am also still wondering when the dream of having the best young QB in the league will end. So, I'm really conflicted. I want to believe however I am letting the years of disappointment and frustration cloud my enjoyment. Watching the Chiefs defense doesn't fill me with confidence. They let the Raiders hang around after the Raiders have given up two really good players.

Losing Hunt and the way it all happened left me really raw last week.

Okay, I don't really know much about the Ravens, they have looked very good and very bad. The loss of Hunt and Watkins is a lot to overcome.

Chiefs: 37, Ravens: 17

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by carcosa

Huh?

Your brain doesn't work properly, dude.

Look in the mirror.