Home: Baltimore Ravens (Dec. 9)
There was a moment when this matchup with the Baltimore Ravens looked like a real issue on the late season schedule for the Chiefs.
The Ravens started the season at 3-1 and then again at 4-2, and their defense echoed the great Ravens defenses of the past with stellar pass rushing numbers. They beat the Broncos and Steelers and absolutely smothered the Titans and Bills. However, the heart of their schedule revealed the Ravens to be more pretender than contender. The Ravens lost consecutive games to the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers and Steelers (remember they play each other twice), and that 4-2 start quickly slid to 4-5.
Fortunately for John Harbaugh, who is reportedly in his final season as head coach, the Ravens have put together a quick winning streak of two games after their bye week. A win against the Atlanta Falcons this weekend would give them a 7-5 record and a real shot at a wild-card game as they prepare to face the Chiefs in two weeks.
Lamar Jackson as a two-way threat will likely frustrate the Chiefs defense on numerous occasions. However it’s also hard to imagine a team lacking the offensive firepower to keep up with the K.C. machine doing anything but falling behind fairly early and trailing all the while. Mahomes will feel the heat for sure, but he’s proven himself capable even against the NFL’s elite defenses. Can the Ravens really hang a loss on the Chiefs? It’s possible but certainly hard to picture.