The Kansas City Chiefs badly need to win in Week 4 to continue to claw back into the AFC picture after an 0-2 start. If the Baltimore Ravens' early injury reports are any indication, the Chiefs are going to be at a decided advantage. The report was a laundry list of concerns with Kyle Van Noy, Nnamdi Madubuike, Ronnie Stanley, and Broderick Washington all listed as DNPs. This is on top of both Isaiah Likely and Travis Jones being limited participants on Thursday.
Baltimore's defense was already struggling when healthy, getting bullied by the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions throughout the first three weeks of the season. While there was one great game mixed in the middle, it was against a struggling Cleveland Browns roster. With this in mind, Kansas City should feel far more optimistic, understanding that not only are you playing a struggling defense, but a roster dealing with extremely concerning injury issues.
Chiefs Have a Clear Health Advantage in Sunday's Showdown with Baltimore Ravens
The loss of Madubuike showed up in Week 3 with the Lions' run game taking all the pressure off Jared Goff and allowing him to play point guard at a high level. While the Chiefs might not have Detroit's run game, they have a far superior quarterback who is going to pick apart this injured defense if the rushing attack can provide anything close to capable production.
Also near the top of the list of concerns is the issue of Van Noy missing time for a pass rush that has shockingly been near the bottom of the league. If you're not able to put pressure on Mahomes, the accomplished veteran is going to pick you apart. If the Ravens are missing both Madubuike and Van Noy, this should be viewed as Kansas City's game to lose.
There simply isn't a positive spin heading into Week 4 if you're the Ravens. This is approaching a must-win category considering you're 1-2 on the season, with the lone win being over the lowly Browns. Now, not only are you facing this pressure against a poised Chiefs team, but you will be doing so with what appears to be a long list of injuries.
For the Chiefs, this is an undeniably exciting advantage for a franchise that is due for a bit of positive regression. While you never want to see anyone injured, the advantage it provides is welcomed for a Chiefs team that has had its own share of issues. The point remains that the Chiefs should be favored in a game that is increasingly pointing to a Kansas City win.