Kansas City Chiefs: 3 lessons learned from Chiefs loss to Ravens

The Kansas City Chiefs fell to the Baltimore Ravens. What can we learn from the loss? 

The Kansas City Chiefs were close to getting a win on the road Sunday evening, but they fell short. A combination of unexpected errors from the Chiefs and a dominant rushing attack from the Baltimore Ravens resulted in a loss for Kansas City.

The loss was heartbreaking and frustrating. Kansas City Chiefs fans have every right to be concerned about how things went Sunday night. But what all can we take away from that 36-35 loss?

Here are three things we learned from the Kansas City Chiefs’ loss to the Baltimore Ravens:

Kansas City Chiefs: 3 thoughts on Chiefs loss against the Baltimore Ravens

1. The run defense did not get better in week two.

Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt led the charge week one against the Chiefs and exposed the run defense. The Browns had 153 yards rushing and had an overall yardage total of 457 compared to the Chief’s 397 total yards.

Things did not get any better on Sunday Night Football when the Ravens were taking advantage of Chris Jones’s inexperience at defensive end which allowed for runners to get to the edge. Whether it was Latavius Murray, Ty’Son Williams, Devonta Freeman, or Lamar Jackson, each run was breaking for at least four or five yards.

The Ravens’ rushing attack finished with 251 yards and and average of 6.1 yards per carry. Kansas City has given up 404 rushing yards in two games and that trend could lead to unfortunate losses all season.

Patrick Mahomes is a great quarterback, but can’t takeover and put up fifty points a game consistently. That’s not fair to expect. Every once in a while Mahomes will make a bad play, such as his falling down interception against the Ravens, but that’s a prime example of a situation where the defense can fire up the offense with a stop.

Signing defensive tackle Jarran Reed from the Seattle Seahawks has not quite had the impact in the run game most would expect. Look for guys like Tershawn Wharton and Khalen Saunders to make some plays in the run game against LA this Sunday. Kansas City has talent on the defensive line, but the edge or attitude isn’t quite there. Tyrann Mathieu said this team “responds best when [they] get punched in the mouth”, and Chiefs fans hope that’s the case against Justin Herbert and the LA Chargers.

2. Tyrann Mathieu is the key to defensive success.

In week 1 against the Browns, the Kansas City Chiefs were able to win a close game without their playmaking ballhawk in the secondary. In week 2, Mathieu was cleared from his COVID protocol and suited up for Sunday night action in Baltimore. It didn’t take long for him to make an impact as he ended Lamar Jackson’s first drive with a pick six.

At this point Chiefs fans are feeling good and are glad to have Honey Badger back on the field. To pad the stats even more, Mathieu picks off Lamar again late in the first quarter and this time in a more ballhawking fashion. The first interception was more of a bad read by Jackson, but the second interception involved covering some ground and making a solid read.

However, after a pick six and a second interception the Chiefs still couldn’t win the game and Mathieu plain and simple called it an “ass-whoopin.” Mathieu brings a competitive attitude to the defense and will do everything in his power to get the guys fired up and ready to go for week 3 against the LA Chargers. He is the emotional leader of the Chiefs and will show it come noon on Sunday in front of a rowdy Arrowhead crowd.

3. Tyreek Hill is not the only receiver who can contribute.

On Sunday night, the Ravens held the “Cheetah” to 14 yards on 4 targets and 3 receptions. When one weapon is neutralized there are other players that need to step up and deliver for the Kansas City offense.

Demarcus Robinson, Mecole Hardman, Byron Pringle all stepped up and logged meaningful snaps for the wide receiver room. Robinson and Pringle both had touchdown receptions and Mecole contributed 55 yards on 8 targets and 5 receptions. Travis Kelce had another big night, but at this point it’s nothing new for Chiefs Kingdom and their Hall of Fame tight end.

After week one Patrick Mahomes reiterated he has “full confidence in all Chiefs receivers”, and that’s big when an opposing defense’s game plan is to slow down Tyreek. For example, Byron Pringle has had an efficient start to his 2021 season turning four targets into three receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown. Although Sammy Watkins is no longer on the team, Mahomes has reliable receiving options that can turn a quick curl route or screen pass into a scoring play.