The 2-0 Kansas City Chiefs travel east in a prime time showdown against the 2-0 Baltimore Ravens (2-0, 1-0 home) on Monday Night Football. This should be a good one as the Chiefs are defending Super Bowl champions and the Ravens have won 14-straight regular-season contests.
Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. EST at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. with the Ravens a 3.5-point favorite.
What to Know – Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City took care of business with ease in their season-opener, but had to fight their way back and win in overtime last weekend in Los Angeles. Harrison Butker nailed a 58-yard field goal with under two minutes remaining in overtime to seal the deal for the Chiefs.
The Chiefs also handed Baltimore one of their two regular-season losses last year, a 33-28 win in the week 3. Patrick Mahomes continues to be one of the most exciting players to watch in the NFL. The quarterback has thrown for 513 yards and five touchdowns, while adding 54 yards on the ground through the first two games of the season.
Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has lived up to the hype early on. The rookie out of LSU has carried the ball 35 times for 176 yards and one touchdown. Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce are Mahomes’ top receiving targets. Hill has caught ten passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns while Kelce leads the team with 15 receptions for 140 yards and a pair of scores.
Linebacker Anthony Hitchens leads a Kansas City defense that has surrendered 20 points in each of the first two games. Hitchens has collected 17 total tackles, including 11 solo stops, over the first two games of the season.
What to Know – Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens had no issues in the first two weeks, winning by double-digits against the Browns (38-6) and Houston (33-16). Baltimore should expect a bit more of a challenge Monday when the Chiefs come to town. This is the first Monday Night Football game at home for Baltimore since 2017.
Lamar Jackson has thrown for 479 yards and four touchdowns as well as leading the team with 99 yards rushing. Jackson, the defending MVP, spearheads one of the league’s most prolific rushing attacks. Gus Edwards (90 yards), Mark Ingram II (84 yards, one touchdown), and rookie J.K. Dobbins (70 yards, two touchdowns) showcase a three-headed monster at running back that have totaled 341 yards rushing this season.
Marquise Brown has hauled in 10 passes for 143 yards leading all Ravens pass-catchers. Tight end Mark Andrews is Jackson’s favorite target in the redzone, with two touchdown catches.
Rookie linebacker Patrick Queen leads one of the strongest defensive units in the league with 17 total tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. The Ravens 11.0 points per game allowed is best in the league while their 305 yards/game allowed is third best.
The Pick is In
This game features the last two MVPs in Mahomes (2018) and Jackson which leads most to believe it will be a shootout. Each defense is also solid though, with Baltimore being borderline elite. Even the kicking game of both teams is excellent.
If Baltimore can confuse Mahomes like the Chargers were able to do for most of last Sunday’s game, then the Ravens have a great shot at their 15th regular-season win in a row. Take Baltimore -3.5.
