Chiefs vs. Ravens: Baltimore’s defense presents a real issue for Patrick Mahomes
By Grant Tuttle
Defensively:
Slow down running backs that are running between the tackles
The Ravens offense is definitely weird. They don’t seem to have any ounce of dominance on their depth chart on offense. Their passing game is decent, as is their rushing game. That’s really the only thing to say.
That being said, the Chiefs have allowed average running backs look like All-Pro caliber players in recent weeks. The Chiefs must be careful not to give up huge gains between the tackle. If they do that, they will be in trouble. On this play, the Bengals do not flow to the ball well and hardly touch the running back. The Chiefs have struggled in that regard.
Don’t allow Lamar Jackson to look like Patrick Mahomes
Lamar Jackson is the complete opposite of Joe Flacco. While the fundamentals and experience is noticibly lacking, the playmaking ability is definitely there. I think Lamar Jackson has as much upside as anyone out of the 2018 draft.
On this play, Jackson does his best Mahomes impression throwing back across his body the the circling Michael Crabtree. The Chiefs are going to have to do their best to disrupt passing lanes and get pressure on him to stop this from happening more than it should. Having an underneath spy could go a long way in stopping Jackson from doing ridiculous things with the ball against his passing and running ability.
Confuse the young Lamar Jackson
In order to make big plays on defense, the Chiefs will need to do all that they can to confuse Jackson. If Kansas City changes up coverages a lot, I think they may create a couple of turnovers because of Jackson’s inexperience.
On this play, Jackson misses the defender standing directly in his passing lane as the spy underneath. He gets the ball thrown right to him and the Ravens lose control of the football. I hope that Bob Sutton will change it up constantly and make Jackson’s life miserable. My heart says that Sutton can stop him, but my brain says otherwise.