Chiefs vs. Ravens: Writer predictions are mixed for Week 3

AA writers are mixed on their Week 3 predictions for Chiefs-Ravens.

Last week, the Kansas City Chiefs narrowly escaped with a victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. It was all up to kicker Harrison Butker who came in clutch with a game winning 58-yard field goal in overtime. This came after making a 58-yard field goal earlier in the game and a 30-yard field goal as time expired to send the game to overtime.

For the Chargers, quarterback Justin Herbert was a last minute start after Tyrod Taylor’s lung was accidentally punctured by the team doctor. While the rookie made some mistakes, he played extremely well in his first NFL game. He completed 22/33 passes for 311 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception.

Herbert stunned the Chiefs who started off slow and didn’t truly find their offensive stride until the fourth quarter. Mahomes ended the game completing 27/47 of his pass attempts and threw for 302 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also was the Chiefs leading rusher as he kept the ball 6 times for 54 yards.

After rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire‘s hot start against the Houston Texans Week 1, he cooled off a bit gaining only 38 yards on 10 rushes. He helped his stat line in the receiving game as he caught 6 passes for 32 yards.

The Chiefs trailed the entire game until the final moments when they tied it and sent it to overtime. It’s a game that the Chiefs want to forget about as they look forward to face the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens are coming off two strong wins, after winning 38-6 over the Cleveland Browns in Week 1 and 33-16 over the Houston Texans in Week 2.

Both teams have their fair share of injuries. The Chiefs have three players designated as questionable going into the game in wide receiver Sammy Watkins, cornerback Charvarius Ward, and Dorian O’Daniel. The Ravens have four players designated as questionable in defensive back Anthony Levine Sr., defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, wide receiver Chris Moore, and offensive guard D.J. Fluker.

Our writers have been in agreement the last two weeks and have unanimously picked the Chiefs to win. However, this week they’re split. Here are our full writer predictions.

Drew Brooks: Ravens 31, Chiefs 28

I really, really want to pick the Chiefs to win this one, but I know that we can’t win them all, and I feel like this is one the Chiefs lose. I think it’s a close game up until the end and the Ravens win on a Justin Tucker field goal. I hope I’m wrong on this one, but I just don’t have a good feeling about it.

Matt Conner: Chiefs 35, Ravens 24
I think the Chiefs show up for this in a way that makes us all forget the Week 2 jitters. The Ravens have wilted in big games like this in the last year or more—whether a matchup with the Chiefs or in the postseason—but somehow the Chiefs are the underdogs. A final stomp should rid us of these silly side-by-side comparisons from here on out. These teams aren’t equal and they haven’t been for some time.

Lyle Graversen: Chiefs 27, Ravens 24

I think this will be an absolute dogfight. The Ravens are going to try and dominate the time of possession by ramming the ball down K.C.’s throat. That strategy and Baltimore’s good defense will keep the score from getting too high. I’m a little nervous about this game, but I trust Patrick Mahomes enough to score just enough to pull this out.

Sterling Holmes: Ravens 30, Chiefs 28

This Chiefs vs. Ravens game could be the early battle for who gets the bye in the playoffs. Unless you have the Chiefs going 19-0, they have to lose some time, and beating a team like the Ravens in the past doesn’t always mean you’ll have their number in the future.

The linebacking corps in K.C. really scares me when it comes to containing Lamar Jackson and unless Willie Gay gets a lot more playing time, I struggle to see how the linebackers can keep up.

I have the Chiefs beating the Ravens in the playoffs, but after looking at the first two weeks of football, the Ravens seem to be on fire and it will take a lot to put them out. Here’s hoping I am wrong.

Jake Kokoris: Ravens 28, Chiefs 23

I think this will be one of those “good losses,” in that it will really highlight the improvements the Chiefs need to make down the road. For me, it really is all about tackling and the run defense. I have trouble seeing our linebackers both stopping Lamar on the ground and Mark Andrews and the running back corps through the air. I won’t lose any sleep over a defeat here, but I am eager to see some improvement on the offensive end. I’m viewing this game as more of a “feeling out” game than a must-win.

Scott Loring: Ravens 33, Chiefs 31

It will be interesting what happens if the Ravens take the lead in the first half. Baltimore’s strength is playing with the lead, but the Chiefs play very well from behind. The Chargers blitzed the Chiefs just five times in Week 2, but struggled to keep Patrick Mahomes clean. Mahomes was hurried 14 times and knocked down five times. The Ravens blitz from every direction, attacking Deshaun Watson with eight different blitzers in Week 2 and creating pressure all game long. This one comes down to the final two minutes.

Ellen Mathis: Ravens 31, Chiefs 24

I struggled a lot with this one. The Chiefs haven’t yet played up to their potential while the Ravens are steamrolling. The Chiefs are also on the road for this one. I just think the odds aren’t in the Chiefs’ favor on this one.

Will it be a great game? Yes. Lamar and Mahomes are two of the greatest right now. Lamar has a big ol’ bone to pick with Mahomes since he hasn’t defeated him yet. I just think this one is going to the Ravens. Frankly, that’s fine with me. I’d rather beat them in the playoffs.

Byron Smith: Chiefs 35, Ravens 14
The Ravens are not running the ball as well this year as they were last, and Lamar does not look like the same QB outside of the pocket. They got to run up some running numbers on the Texans who are also not good, and the Browns, who are worse. The Ravens linebackers and safeties are also questionable at best, so give me Travis Kelce for over a hundred and CEH to get involved in the passing game.

Kelly Thompson: Ravens 32, Chiefs 21

The Chiefs looked downright bad for most of the game against the Chargers on Sunday. While the defending champs pulled out the victory, they will not experience the same fate should their level of play be equal against the Ravens on Monday.

The Ravens, on the other hand, look like a team focused on proving the doubters wrong after (another) early postseason exit in January. The defense is fast and athletic, and the offense can pound the ball and pick up big chunks of yards in the air. They’ve also done so seemingly at will throughout the season’s first two weeks.

The Chiefs defense is not at full strength and the offensive line appears not to be in postseason form (yet?). Ravens win this one, but Kansas City will get a shot at revenge in the AFC Championship.

Grant Tuttle: Ravens 31, Chiefs 27

The Ravens seem to be playing at a higher level than anyone but have not played opponents that are necessarily known for being “contenders.” That being said, Lamar Jackson is hungry for a win against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.

While Kansas City is undoubtedly great, they are destined to drop a game to the Ravens at some point over the course of the Mahomes vs Jackson era. Just like the classic rivalry between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, I expect their games to always be great. However, occasionally Manning would beat Brady.

I expect a great game but I believe that the Ravens will come out with a victory on a late touchdown drive that may prompt the Chiefs to replace a linebacker with Willie Gay, Jr. While I would love Kansas City to keep pulling off wins against Baltimore, for everything there is a season and it might just be Baltimore’s turn.

Farzin Vousoughian: Chiefs 27, Ravens 24

It’s going to be another close game for the Chiefs. This Ravens team is the best team the Chiefs will face. The Chiefs haven’t played their best football so far this year, and they’re due for a big game. Patrick Mahomes will have a big game. This will be a Monday night to remember.