Chiefs vs. Ravens: Looking at key changes to Baltimore’s defense
The Kansas City Chiefs have had classic games against the Baltimore Ravens the past two seasons. What is different this time around?
The Kansas City Chiefs have played two epic thrillers against the Baltimore Ravens the last two seasons. In 2018, with the postseason’s top seed and home-field advantage on the line, Patrick Mahomes strapped the Chiefs to his back and converted on a crucial game-tying drive.
The plays that stick out are the famous 4th-and-9 play, where Patrick Mahomes threw a dime to Tyreek Hill while being chased by multiple defenders. Then there was the fourth-and-goal where, again, Mahomes experienced pressure but simply floated the ball to Damien Williams for a front corner end zone score to tie the game.
The 2019 contest didn’t quite live up to 2018, as the Chiefs raced out to a 30-13 lead through three quarters. Still, the ending was another example of Mahomes’ trademark clutch play ability when he dropped a short pass to Darrell Williams for the game-sealing first down screen play.
2020 looks to be the toughest challenge yet for this Chiefs team. The Ravens, already replete with talent, added a number of new faces to the defensive side of that ball that the Chiefs offense will have to contend with.
Addition – Calais Campbell
From all viewpoints, those outside the franchise and those who’ve spent time on the inside, the Jacksonville Jaguars are a trainwreck. They’ve had a number of top-five picks in the last several seasons and not a single one remains with the team. It’s no shock defensive lineman Calais Campbell wanted out, and the Ravens only gave up a fifth round pick to acquire him.
Campbell’s first game against the Cleveland Browns wasn’t anything to write home about, but his second game was. Against a mobile superstar quarterback in Deshaun Watson, he recorded three quarterback hits and one quarterback sack.
Sunday’s contest against the Los Angeles Chargers showed at best the Chiefs offensive line is a little rusty and at worse they’ve declined since last season. Mitchell Schwartz, one of the better offensive tackles in the league, has probably had his worst start to a season in quite some time.
If the Chiefs hope to protect Mahomes more effectively, Campbell is a player they are going to have to keep an eye on.