Leading up to the draft, I’m going to break the schedule down game by game and take a deeper look at all of the Chiefs’ 2009 match-ups. I’ll revisit this closer to the season, but I want to take an early look at things as well. Let’s get started…
Week 1 – At Baltimore Ravens
At first glance, I was taken aback by the sheer terror of this match-up. Ray-Ray and his crew gets first crack at our new franchise quarterback? Yikes! Then I remembered that Ray Lewis and Ed Reed used to babysit Tony Gonzalez (practically). I also remembered that the Ravens’ offense is no juggernaut and that their corners are pretty suspect.
Sure, Terrell Suggs and Co. will come after Matt Cassel, but that’s not what concerns me most. What concerns me most is our defense being able to apply heat to sophomore signal caller Joe Flacco. If we can accomplish that, then I think we can rattle him, deter that offense and keep pace. If not, it might be a long Sunday for our Chiefs. Then again, how many points can that limited O possibly generate?
My other big worry is that the Chiefs will pick things up where they left off and start out the season susceptible to the run. That would be no bueno, but it’s certainly a possibility — especially while the new unit is gelling. I could see LeRon McLain, Ray Rice and Willis McGahee absolutely carving us up. After all, that’s a pretty talented and versatile trifecta. Personally, I would load the box and make Flacco and his receivers — Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton and Todd Heap — beat us. Mason and Heap are over the hill, Clayton is inconsistent and Flacco is overrated. I don’t think they could win an aerial shootout with our Red and Gold. Especially if A.) Tony Gonzalez sticks around; and/or B.) we draft Michael Crabtree.
In my vlog, I called this a loss. So, yes, on the road this game will be quite tough. It’s a winnable game. Much more winnable than say Philly two weeks later, in my opinion. That’s the toughest game on the sked if you ask me. The Chiefs can win this one, but they will have to limit their offensive mistakes and the Ravens’ rushing attack to do so.
Prediction:
20-17 Ravens
Marquee Match-Ups:
FS Ed Reed vs. TE Tony Gonzalez
I suspect that the Ravens will try to cover Gonzalez with Reed some. If so, this could be a pivotal match-up as it pits the league’s best tight end against its best free safety.
OLB Terrell Suggs vs. OT Branden Albert
Their paths will likely cross. When they do, Albert will need to be at his best if he wants to keep his new quarterback upright. Suggs is one of the premier pass rushers in the NFL.
Chiefs’ Front Seven vs. Ravens’ Running Back Trio
The Chiefs new hybrid defense will have to shut down the B-More ground game in order for the Chiefs to have any shot of leaving crabcake country with a W.
Intereting Factoid:
The Chiefs have never lost to the Ravens in Baltimore — ever!
Addicts, sound off on the season opener at Baltimore…
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I’m pretty excited about this game, simply because the regular season can’t come fast enough and I’m a Baltimore native! I went to the prior 2 games (both wins as you mentioned) in which Dante Hall broke their back on a rekickoff and MNF when our once proud line abused Ray Ray and co. No doubt I already have tickets to this one. Our D must gel quickly during camp, cause the first half of the sched is SICK!
Nothing like throwing the team into the fire right off the bat! I absolutley HATE not seeing the Donkeys until December!
talk about a gauntlent
Love the Cassel avatar, mortis!
Dr. Paine, totally remember that Dante Hall play. I was in a bar in Orlando jumping up and down. The three or four Ravens fans were not too happy with me. Oh well
How dare you think that a healthy Ravens team that just played in the AFC Championship game will allo w a subpar/non-playoff team like the chiefs an opportunity to come to Baltimore and beat the Ravens!! THE RAVENS IN A BLOWOUT!!!!
P.S. Don’t forget about that thrashing we gave you at Arrowhead a couple of years ago. Remember no one beats the chiefs @ Arrowhead in December……Right!
This Ravens D isnt the same as in years past Ray can scream and yell all he wants but hes getting up there, Bart Scott and Ryan went to NYJ they cut Samari and than brought him back after no one else signed him and they lost Leohnard and their Nickelback, cant think of his name??, If we can move Ngata and keep Reed from getting a pick we’ll win. Matchup to watch is the QB’s. Can Flacco repeat his good play from last year and will cassell prove to be the man
Everyone gives Flacco too much credit. What good play from last year? Maybe decent play.
“Ray-Ray and his crew gets first crack at our new franchise quarterback?”
“Sure, Terrell Suggs and Co. will come after Matt Cassel, but that’s not what concerns me most.”
Whats this???
what you ment to say was….
“Ray-Ray and his crew gets first crack at our starting franchise quarterback tyler thigpen?”
“”Sure, Terrell Suggs and Co. will come after Tyler Thigpen, but that’s not what concerns me most.”
Like I have said when speaking of the chiefs verses the bears…yes for all those years the bears had a good team, and paper wise a better team, but we matched up with them…
we match up against these guys as well…
And the Chiefs draft linebacker or wideout…
I only wish there was a top flight corner out there…but yet again there isnt.
ok food for fodder
2 senarios for you to ponder
1 Cleveland wants to trade B Edwards, a bit pricy as they want Tony and a switch of number ones this year, and edwards wouls still need a contract after next year.
2 Arizona has come out publicly today , as well as has Bolden…that they want a trade…
Arizona wants both a 1st and a 3rd pick this year.
Bolden wants 10 million a year for at least four years.
just saying with this one move they automatically
place the O over the top, minus mayby a lineman.
With what Bolden can do our wideouts counting Tony.
GIVE US A POSSABLE 40POINTS A GAME ON THE SCORE BOARD.
Ray-ray MIGHT be running out of gas, but the Baltimore D-Line has been getting it done in front of him, after a one- or two-year dip. They’ll be tough, because Ray-ray is still playing smart. Had to take more conservative angles than in his prime, but still playing smart, aggressive LB.
Flacco is no joke. If they address O-Line and WRs, that could be a great offense.
Having said all that, I care not at all about strength-of-schedule. I care about how good the Chiefs will be. Saw a lot of talent last year, and they should be more talented this year. Question is whether they can translate spurts of dominance into W’s in the W-L column. As a player, I’d WANT to face the very best. As a fan, I want to watch the best.