What’s really on the line for Chiefs and Ravens in Week 3?

Do the Ravens need this game more?

While there are certainly enough games left in the season for the Ravens to overcome a loss to the Chiefs in this game, the bigger problem for Baltimore could be the psychological advantage that the Chiefs would have over them with a win. While the Ravens and Chiefs are both seen as AFC powers and Super Bowl contenders, and both Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson are seen as two of the most exciting young quarterbacks in the league, these teams and quarterbacks have already gone head to head twice, with Mahomes and the Chiefs coming out on top both times.

If the Chiefs were to extend that head-to-head record to 3-0. it will certainly bring up questions as to whether the Chiefs simply have the Ravens’ number. Perhaps Baltimore just isn’t built to beat Kansas City. I think this will be especially true if the Chiefs were to somehow win this game comfortably.

This situation is compounded by the fact that the Ravens are 0-2 in the playoffs with Lamar Jackson at quarterback as well. Being 0-2 in the playoffs and 0-3 against the AFC’s best team certainly paints the picture of a team that is built to beat up on the lesser teams in the conference, but one that just can’t get the job done when it really matters. To make matters worse, one of the other top contenders in the conference is right there in the AFC North in the Steelers. A loss to the Chiefs puts them in an even tougher position in their own division as well.

While there is plenty of time for the Ravens to overcome a loss to the Chiefs, there is some extra pressure on them that can be relieved with a win in Week 3. A win sends the message (to the NFL, but more importantly to themselves) that they are ready to take that next step and win these big games this year and force the Chiefs to try to keep pace with them.

So what does this game mean to the Chiefs?