With Week 3’s 22-9 victory over the New York Giants on the books, the Kansas City Chiefs are now looking for the young season’s second victory. But on Sunday afternoon, they’ll be facing a big challenge as they host the Baltimore Ravens on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Here’s what I’ll be wondering as the game gets underway.
1. Can the Chiefs take advantage of the Ravens’ porous run defense?
So far, Baltimore’s run defense has been a mess. The Ravens rank 31st in defensive rushing EPA, 32nd in rushing success rate allowed and 25th in yards per carry.
The issue starts up front. Their defensive tackle group is thin — especially after Nnamdi Madubuike’s injury. Broderick Washington hasn’t been effective against the run. Travis Jones is explosive, but struggles to anchor. (Even worse for the Ravens, Washington will also be out on Sunday, while Jones is questionable for the game). In past years, nose tackle Michael Pearce helped cover up these weaknesses. Without him, they’ve been exposed.
That puts even more pressure on linebacker Roquan Smith — who thrives when kept clean, but can be washed out of plays when offensive linemen get their hands on him. Baltimore’s other linebackers — Malik Harrison, Teddy Buchanan and Trenton Simpson — don’t hold up much better. The Detroit Lions proved that last week, running directly at them throughout the game.
Unfortunately, the Chiefs’ ground game hasn’t inspired much confidence. Kareem Hunt has struggled to find more than three yards at a time, and Isiah Pacheco hasn’t looked sharp. The one glimmer of hope came in the second half against the Giants, when the offense found some rhythm under center.
The question is whether Andy Reid will commit to the run long enough to test Baltimore’s biggest weakness. The Ravens will let you slow down the game and sustain long drives — but only if you stick with it.
2. What is the Chiefs’ plan for the Ravens’ rushing attack?
Last season, Kansas City faced Baltimore in running back Derrick Henry’s first game with quarterback Lamar Jackson. At that point, the Ravens hadn’t yet figured out how to maximize their new backfield. Since then, they’ve built a true offensive juggernaut.
There’s almost no margin for error. Henry and Jackson function like dual gravitational forces. One false step toward either player can result in a touchdown.
The Lions showed one way to limit them: using their massive defensive tackles to clog lanes and prevent Henry from hitting his stride. After an early long touchdown, Detroit essentially neutralized him.
The Chiefs don’t have that kind of size inside. Instead, they’ll need to lean on their linebackers. Leo Chenal is built for this kind of game; he can absorb blocks and hold his ground against the run. That could mean more 3-3-5 looks when the defense is in nickel, or even heavier 5-1 or 6-1 fronts to keep the Ravens from creating double-teams in outside zone.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s creativity will be tested. Baltimore (and the Buffalo Bills) are the two AFC teams that built to punish smaller defensive tackles. Sunday’s matchup should help us gauge whether that weakness can derail Kansas City’s defense.
3. Can the Chiefs get more from their defensive rookies?
Not every question is about this week’s opponent. Sometimes, it’s about the bigger picture.
One of the team’s biggest long-term storylines is the progression of Spagnuolo’s three rookies: defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott, defensive end Ashton Gillotte and cornerback Nohl Williams.
Thanks to Kristian Fulton’s injury, Williams has seen the most action. In dime situations, he’s been asked to play outside so Trent McDuffie can shift into the slot. So far, he has held his own, sticking with receivers downfield and rarely being targeted. Giving him more snaps in nickel could be valuable — especially if it means reducing the workload on Chamarri Conner or Jaden Hicks.
Meanwhile, Gillotte might be the rookie with the most upside. Mike Danna is hurt — and wasn’t producing before that. Charles Omenihu hasn’t looked the same since his ACL injury. Neither is providing much pass rush, while Gillotte flashes twitch and creativity that the others lack. In a front desperate for additional pass-rushing help, Gillotte deserves a longer look.
As for Norman-Lott, the defensive tackle rotation already makes room for him alongside Chris Jones. He doesn’t have the size of a traditional nose tackle, but his athleticism and pass-rushing ability are clear upgrades over a typical 1-tech. Like Gillotte, he can give Kansas City juice where it badly needs it.
If the Chiefs can continue to develop contributions from this rookie trio, it could help patch over some of the defensive line’s depth issues — all while adding fresh energy to Spagnuolo’s rotations.
The Chiefs are walking into a true measuring-stick game. Baltimore’s weaknesses align with Kansas City’s own struggles, while the Ravens’ strengths target the Chiefs’ most glaring concern: size on the defensive line.
Can Andy Reid finally commit to the run? Can Spagnuolo scheme around Lamar and Henry? And will the rookies step up?
We’ll start getting answers on Sunday.
Source link
