When the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs were unveiled as an anchor in the NFL's schedule for Week 4, it was immediately hailed as the most anticipated game on the slate. The buzz was congruent with the recent histories for both teams as AFC powers led by two of the three best quarterbacks in the game: Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson.
After three weeks of regular-season play, however, both K.C. and Baltimore sit at 1-2 in the standings, which means one of those conference superpowers are going to be sitting at 1-3 to end the month of September. That's not good, given the divisions in which both teams play.
For the Chiefs, the rival L.A. Chargers are sitting at 3-0 with a two-game early lead in the AFC West. The Ravens have it easier, as they're just one game behind the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers. However, the AFC North is always a brutal run for all teams involved, as even pitiful teams rise up to meet their division rivals.
That makes this matchup all the more important for both teams. Luckily the Chiefs are at Arrowhead, which gives them the crowd advantage. Our writers have weighed in with their picks on what should be a very close game.
Writers' predictions for Ravens vs Chiefs
Price Carter
It's rare for the Chiefs to be home underdogs with Patrick Mahomes at the helm, but they're about to be in back-to-back games (Eagles and Ravens). The Ravens are a healthier, more talented team right now, and their offense might be the NFL's best. Still, the mental side matters: Lamar Jackson is 1-5 against Mahomes, with his lone win coming when CEH fumbled in field-goal range. Both teams badly need this game, but the pressure is on the Ravens, who've already let two wins slip away this year. I'll chalk this one up to the team that has done it to Baltimore time and again. The Chiefs barely edge out a win. Chiefs 26, Ravens 24
Matt Conner
I want to believe. I really do. But I don't believe the defensive metrics hanging around the Ravens' necks right now, and I'm just not sure the Chiefs' offensive weapons are up to the task of coming close to what the Detroit Lions or Buffalo Bills did to them. Ravens 24, Chiefs 20
Lyle Graversen
The battle of these two 1-2 teams with Super Bowl aspirations is likely to come down to whoever has the ball last. Between Baltimore's defensive woes and Steve Spagnuolo's ability to frustrate opposing offenses, I think the Chiefs squeak out a close one. Chiefs 23, Ravens 20
Braden Holocek
The Ravens and the Chiefs are both 1-2. Urgency will be at an all-time high for each team after some sluggish showings. Kansas City has been the more consistent defense. Therefore, I think Spags' unit will be the difference in a tight game. Chiefs 26, Ravens 20
Scott Loring
KC is catching Baltimore at the right time, with some key Ravens defenders doubtful to play. The Baltimore defense has been uncharacteristically porous this season, and the Chiefs will continue to find ways to exploit it. Tyquan Thornton will follow up his big game against the Giants with another productive game. Chiefs 30, Ravens 22
Greg Morse
The good: Baltimore’s defense is terrible. The bad: So is the Chiefs’ offense. What happens when a stoppable force meets a moveable object? We’ll find out on Sunday. Mahomes will hit a few more Thornton bombs and the defense will keep Lamar contained just enough. Chiefs 24, Ravens 21
Charles Robinson
Chiefs fans are accustomed to Sunday afternoon cookouts in prep for gametime, but was anyone ready for this matchup to be "Who's Cooked" Bowl? Baltimore and Kansas City were two of the favorites in the AFC coming into the season, but they both come into this one reeling at 1-2. Someone will leave 1-3, and even with the Chiefs' offensive struggles, I can't see current Lamar coming into the original Lamar's house and putting the Chiefs in that spot.Chiefs 23, Ravens 20
Stacy Smith
The Kansas City Chiefs are getting healthier at a time where the Baltimore Ravens are ravaged by injuries. Xavier Worthy returns this week and gives Kansas City more dynamic possibilities. The Chiefs find a way to slow down Derrick Henry and win a close one. Chiefs 24, Ravens 21
Lucas Strozinsky
I know everyone will be down on Baltimore after their humbling loss to the Lions on Monday, but are the Chiefs (as currently equipped) poised to take advantage of the Ravens' defense? Detroit torched Baltimore on the ground for well over 200 yards, and their RBs averaged over 6.4 yards per attempt. Does that sound like something KC can replicate right now? Ravens 28, Chiefs 23