How the Kansas City Chiefs can beat the Baltimore Ravens

What the Chiefs must do to win

There are five clear keys to success that the Chiefs must follow in order to leave Baltimore with a victory.

1: Get Clyde Edwards-Helaire going early

The obvious point of attack for the Chiefs offense should be the middle of the field. Only target Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey when absolutely necessary, and instead go after the linebackers and safeties. If the Chiefs can get Clyde Edwards-Helaire as hot this week as they did in Week 1, they will be able to grab chunks of yards and control the clock, while also bringing the safeties and linebackers up to line.

2: ABB – Always be blitzing

Attack the line of scrimmage almost every single play. The Ravens’ offensive line has the durability of wet cardboard, and the Chiefs’ defensive line is scary in and of itself, but add a linebacker or Tyrann Mathieu‘s bright yellow cleats, and the Ravens are going to struggle to have any offensive success. Jackson is going to have to abandon the pocket in about two seconds, and as long as any QB spy is quick—might I suggest Willie Gay Jr. or Tyrann Mathieu—Jackson is going to have to toss the ball on the run or hit the turf.

3: Keep throwing to Travis Kelce

Travis Kelce should be seven yards down the field every single passing play, running a shallow cross (a 7-yard drag that becomes a streak/screen in the middle of the field), a skinny post, or a middle hitch. He should be Mahomes’ first read, his secondary read, his tertiary read, and his checkdown. The linebackers allow such a high completion percentage that Kelce should be open all day long. This will continue to throw the linebackers off of their game, and potentially bring Chuck Clark down from the safety position.

4. Mecole Hardman needs to be going deep

If Sammy Watkins plays, he is getting all of Marcus Peters attention. (If Watkins is out, CEH and Demarcus Robinson can fill in or try and get Peters on Kelce). That leaves Marlon Humphrey and the remaining safety to bracket Tyreek Hill.

Hill plays best on the left side, while Kelce should be hugging the line on the opposite side heading towards him. The Chiefs WR2 shoud be playing left side slot to try and block Humphrey’s line of sight during the play, and that leave the right side wide for the WR3, who needs to be Mecole Hardman during this game.

With Clark playing so low to the line and the attention Kelce, Hill, Watkins/Robinson/CEH are going to be getting, that leaves Hardman with plenty of one-on-one scenarios, which is lethal. Mahomes can throw end zone to end zone, so he can hit Hardman on some deep routes.

5: Start Strong

If the Chiefs can attack early, keep Lamar ineffective early, get some early scores, and overall put in 100% in the first 20 minutes, this game should be over by halftime. The Ravens struggle in situations where they trail—just look at their performance in the Divisional Round of the 2019 NFL Playoffs—and with their inexperience thus far this season with trailing, expect them to flail and struggle when put behind a few scores. Is this an easy ask? Not necessarily, but the Chiefs have the talent and skill to do it.