Kansas City Chiefs cannot rely on fourth quarter comeback vs Ravens

If the Kansas City Chiefs play as poorly as they did against the Chargers, they won’t be making a comeback in the fourth quarter against the Ravens in week 3.

*THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN WITH THE HELP OF A SCREEN READER*

When the 2020 Chiefs schedule was released, every Kansas City Chiefs fan circled September 28th on their calendar, for that was the highly anticipated Monday night showdown against the Baltimore Ravens.

Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson have been called the two best quarterbacks in the league right now with each of them winning an MVP award the past two seasons. There’s no doubt Chiefs Kingdom is awaiting week three’s match-up with bated breath, but I have troubling news for the Kingdom, if the Chiefs play the Ravens like they played the Chargers last week, they are going to lose in Baltimore on Monday night.

On Sunday, the Chiefs needed a come-from-behind victory, fueled by a deep bomb from Mahomes, a two-point conversion and a 58 yard field goal from Harrison Butker just to beat a middle of the road Chargers team with a rookie quarterback making his first start. I know the Chiefs’ MO during the playoffs was come-from-behind victories, but does it have to be every time? And does it have to be against the Chargers?

This piece is not about the Chargers game, enough has been said about that, but the Chiefs will have to make a return to their former greatness to avoid being curb stomped by the Ravens.

Listen Chiefs faithful, in no way am I suggesting that the Chiefs have fallen off just because of one bad game because obviously that’s not true. The Chiefs have faced the Ravens twice since Mahomes and Jackson have been the quarterbacks of their respective teams. The Chiefs are 2-0 against the Ravens, but both games have been shootouts and have taken place at Arrowhead Stadium.

This game will take place in Baltimore under the lights of Monday Night Football, and you can say what you will about no fans being present, but you can’t tell me that there isn’t at least a little bit of an advantage to not having to travel, and playing in your own stadium in primetime.

Since the 2020 season started up, both teams are 2-0, but those four victories have looked rather different.

The Chiefs handled the Texans on opening night, beating them with a final score of 34-20. The Texans did rush for 118 yards against the Chiefs, whereas they were held to a mere 51 yards by the Ravens. This tells me that while we all like him so far, Clyde Edwards-Helaire might not be the best weapon against the Ravens defense.

The Texans passed for 253 yards against the Ravens despite the loss, which sure makes it look like the passing game might be the Chiefs’ greatest weapon Monday night. That’s obviously a good sign, as we know the Chiefs can sling the pigskin.

While the Ravens had very little trouble with the Texans in week two, the Chiefs were fighting tooth and nail to secure a victory agains the Chargers, who ran roughshod over the Chiefs defense all afternoon. Passes were over thrown and under thrown, Mahomes was not well protected, and the penalty flags flew in this narrow victory. This is not the way to beat a really good Ravens team on Monday Night Football.

I know we all enjoy watching those nail biting come-from-behind victories, but that might not be the best way to go about it with the Ravens. If the Chiefs get behind the Ravens by more then a score or two, the Ravens will milk the clock and run the ball down the Chiefs’ throat.

If there was ever a time in this early season for the Chiefs to get off to a fast start it would be Monday night against the Ravens. The Ravens are dominant when playing from in front, but unlike our Chiefs, they are not a comeback team, and we have seen them struggle when playing from behind.

Obviously one of the biggest threats is the feet of Lamar Jackson, and the Chiefs will have to find a way to keep him in check or it will be a long night, and silly penalties like holding and false starts  must be cleaned up.

If the Kansas City Chiefs look like they did against the Chargers, they will drop their first game of the season. If they come out guns a blazing, however, and force the Ravens to throw the ball more, then there is no reason why they can’t leave Baltimore with a W.