Two AFC powerhouses collide as the Kansas City Chiefs host the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead.
This will be the Chiefs’ home opener and the atmosphere will be even more intense than usual, which is saying a lot for Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City is looking to stay explosive on offense and continue to improve and gel on defense. As for the Ravens, they are out to prove that they belong in the Super Bowl contender conversation.
Let’s take a look at the keys for a Chiefs victory over the Ravens.
Make Ravens respect the running game
With Patrick Mahomes at quarterback and all the talented pass catchers they have, the Chiefs don’t need to be dominant running the football. It is, however, still an important aspect of the game which the Chiefs can’t just ignore.
Heavy rain is in the forecast for this game, making an effective running game even more crucial. K.C. will be without starting running back Damien Williams and backup LeSean McCoy is questionable with an ankle injury.
That means second-year back Darrel Williams and rookie Darwin Thompson could get significant snaps. The offensive line will need to improve upon its poor run blocking performance from last week.
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Make QB Lamar Jackson carry the load with his arm
We all know what Jackson can do running the football. In just seven starts last season he rushed for 695 yards and five touchdowns. When he is effective running the ball it opens things up for Mark Ingram and Gus Edwards, who are a solid running back duo.
The Chiefs must do their best to keep Jackson in the pocket and force him and the Ravens’ running backs to run against a stacked box. Jackson seems improved as a passer but hasn’t faced a team the caliber of the Chiefs yet. It remains to be seen if he can keep up with an offense like the Chiefs while throwing the ball 30 or more times.
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Know where S Earl Thomas is at all times
The Ravens lost C.J. Mosley in the offseason, who is one of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL, and they did little to replace him. They will also be without starting cornerback Jimmy Smith in this game, who is very good in his own right.
These factors may tempt the Chiefs to throw the ball early and often. We know they’re pass-heavy anyways, and for good reason, but they must be aware of Earl Thomas’ whereabouts on every play. Thomas is perhaps the best safety in the NFL and can change a game with one big play.
He was quoted earlier this week that he plans to eliminate all big plays versus the Chiefs. With question marks throughout the rest of Baltimore’s secondary, K.C. would be wise to throw away from Thomas.
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Start fast
As we mentioned, this is the Chiefs’ home opener and the crowd will be loud and rowdy. Andy Reid says he loves it when the ground begins to shake because of how loud it is. The fans can have an incredible impact on games and help the team start fast.
We have often seen the Chiefs feed off their home crowd and jump out to big leads. In last season’s home opener, Kansas City jumped out to a 35-10 halftime lead. A fast start keeps the crowd into it and could force miscommunications and false starts for Baltimore on offense.
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Make a big play on special teams
While kicker Harrison Butker has been excellent to start the season, the rest of the Chiefs’ special teams unit has been pretty quiet. This game figures to come down to the wire, so a kick return for a touchdown or a forced fumble on the Ravens’ return team would be a game-changing play.
The Chiefs also need to be smart on punt returns. Too often we see return men field punts inside the 10-yard line and cost the offense field position. It’s a risk they can take against some teams, but not against a team like the Ravens.
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