The Baltimore Ravens have a tough test this week as they take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Baltimore’s offense has been on fire through two weeks but that hasn’t stopped haters from second-guessing quarterback Lamar Jackson and the rest of the Ravens’ unit. They’ll get a tough test against the Chiefs in hostile territory.
While it’s still early in the season, this could be viewed as a must-win game for the Ravens. In order to pull out a win and supremacy in the AFC, Baltimore will have to rely on their offense to keep up with Kansas City hit for hit. Here’s how they can do that.
Stay turnover free
Arrowhead stadium is in monsoon-like conditions to start this game which creates slippery balls and poor footing. The Ravens’ best chance of winning this game is to play clean football for all 60 minutes and that means protecting the ball and not giving the Chiefs a short field.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson had trouble with fumbles last season, though he’s been perfect through two games this year. But it’ll have to be a focus this week in sloppy conditions.
Establish the run game with the running backs
While Jackson took over the game on the ground last week against the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore’s offense will have to rely on their running backs to carry the load this week. As mentioned before, the rain is out and that’ll force both teams to feed the ground game early. The Ravens have a three-headed monster in Mark Ingram, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill and should lean on them to set the tone, beat up the Chiefs’ defensive line and set up big plays down the field for later in the game
Great offensive line play
This might be a copout answer but it still holds true this week, even more than over the last two games. Whoever wins in the trenches is likely going to win this game.
While Kansas City hasn’t had the best of luck pressuring quarterbacks this season, they have the talent to do so with Frank Clark on the edge. Jackson has been good about getting the ball out quickly this year and is still adept at avoiding pressure with his feet but for the big play to happen down the field, he’ll need some time to work.
For the run game, center Matt Skura and left guard Bradley Bozeman will have to be on point against defensive tackle Chris Jones, who is quietly having a stellar season. Jones can get into the backfield, creating a problem both when throwing the ball and when running it. If Baltimore can open holes like they did in Week 1, the Ravens’ offense should be able to march down the field with relative ease and tire out the Chiefs’ defense. If they struggle to create any running room, it’s going to be a sloppy, muddy fight that puts more pressure on Jackson to carry the offense.
