(Photo: NBC Sports)
AFC Game Of The Week
Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs
Ravens (1-2):
What’s my saying? The bully doesn’t like to get bullied — and trust me when I say the Ravens were pushed around and punched in that Monday night loss to the Detroit Lions. It was a completely different game compared to their 2023 meeting, which was basically over by halftime. This time, every time the Lions got punched in the mouth, they responded and matched physicality with physicality. Lamar Jackson was flawless. You couldn’t ask him to play any better — he went 21 of 27 for 288 yards and three touchdowns. These days, when you face the Baltimore Ravens, you have to pick your poison: will it be Derrick Henry or a two-time MVP-winning quarterback? From their first offensive drive, it was clear they wanted to get Derrick involved early — and he did score a touchdown — but ball security remains an issue. He’s struggled with fumbling, and I’m sure he’s been walking around the facility this week carrying a football, which is a common practice when players are trying to fix fumbling issues. When I think of Baltimore defenses, I always remember how historically dominant they’ve been against the run. But that wasn’t the case on Monday night — they gave up 218 rushing yards to Detroit. A big reason? The absence of Nnamdi Madibuike due to injury. Having that lane-eater in the middle of the defensive line makes a huge difference — as I always say. Now, the Ravens head to Arrowhead for a huge showdown with the reigning AFC champs.
Chiefs (1-2):
I’m not going to say they don’t scare me — because the last time I said that, they won two playoff games on the road and captured their third Super Bowl title in four seasons. But I will say this: they aren’t the same team we’ve grown used to seeing since Patrick Mahomes took over. If you followed me last season, you might remember me saying they were skating by teams. They’d struggle for long stretches, then flip a switch and steal a win. So… the million-dollar question is: what’s going on with the Kansas City Chiefs? Let’s break it down. Their running game isn’t as strong as I expected. They’re struggling to protect Mahomes. They’re missing both Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice. And that’s just a fraction of the issues. My biggest takeaway? They look bored — just waiting until January to care. From September to December, it’s like they’re sleepwalking. Here’s what I don’t like: this idea of “flipping the switch.” You should be coming out and playing your best every week. I didn’t like what I saw on Sunday night against the Giants. That game wasn’t as close as the score suggested — it felt like the Chiefs did just enough, and the Giants did more to beat themselves. There’s still time to turn things around, but I need to see more consistent effort. Now they return home for a massive AFC showdown with the Ravens.
Ravens X-Factor: Zay Flowers
One thing the Chiefs have going for them is another strong defense under Steve Spagnuolo — especially in how they disguise coverages and bring pressure. That means Lamar will need a reliable playmaker who can separate quickly and do damage after the catch. That’s where Zay Flowers comes in. His speed and shiftiness can help neutralize the Chiefs’ pass rush, giving the Ravens some explosive play potential — especially if Kansas City loads the box to slow down the run game.
Chiefs X-Factor: Isiah Pacheco
If Kansas City wants to jump-start their offense, feeding Pacheco is a smart move. A consistent ground game will help open up their struggling passing attack. The Ravens’ defense thrives on making teams one-dimensional — but if Pacheco gets going, it keeps their pass rush honest and opens up play-action for Mahomes. Pacheco brings energy, toughness, and the ability to break tackles — all of which could wear down Baltimore’s front seven over four quarters.
Final Thoughts:
These two have seen plenty of each other over the years — from regular-season battles to an AFC Championship showdown. They also opened the season against one another last year, with the Chiefs narrowly escaping with a win. Now we’re in Week 4, and both teams come in at 1-2. This will mark the seventh career meeting between Mahomes and Lamar — with Patrick holding a 5-1 edge. When you play the Chiefs, priority number one is limiting Travis Kelce. Mahomes looks his way often, so expect Baltimore to double him and take away that first read. Offensively, the Ravens must control the clock, dictate the tempo, finish drives with touchdowns (not field goals), and — most importantly — keep Lamar clean. Spags will bring creative pressure, so Lamar needs to make quick, smart decisions. On the Chiefs’ side, it starts with containing Lamar. Keep him in the pocket, avoid over-pursuits, and use disciplined spy assignments. Get Pacheco involved early to slow Baltimore’s blitzes and open up the playbook. And finally, find ways to get Kelce into a rhythm — whether through motion, quick outs, or creative alignments. If he gets going, Baltimore’s defense will have to adjust. This is a massive game for two teams who’ve been perennial AFC powerhouses. I like the Ravens to get a big road win at Arrowhead.
Prediction:
Ravens 24, Chiefs 17
