Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Sunday night’s Week 2 game between the Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium.
Jonas Shaffer, reporter
Chiefs 34, Ravens 17: With its banged-up offensive line and wide receiver room, this Ravens offense does not look capable of keeping up with Patrick Mahomes and Co. A boisterous crowd will give a boost, but it won’t bring back Marcus Peters or sideline Chris Jones.
Mike Preston, columnist
Chiefs 30, Ravens 23: Returning to The Bank will provide the Ravens with an emotional lift, but they are operating on a short week against one of the top teams in the NFL. The Chiefs have too much speed for the Ravens to deal with, especially at wide receiver. Baltimore can’t afford to fall behind early.
Childs Walker, reporter
Chiefs 34, Ravens 24: We haven’t seen many matchups in the John Harbaugh era that have tilted so clearly against the Ravens. The Chiefs have beaten Lamar Jackson and Co. three years in a row. Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce are almost impossible to contain under the best of circumstances. These aren’t the best of circumstances for the Ravens, who are coming off a series of devastating injuries, a stunning Week 1 loss and a short week of preparation.
Ryan McFadden, reporter
Chiefs 35, Ravens 21: Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby had his way with the Ravens offensive line, so I can only imagine what Chiefs star Chris Jones will do. The Chiefs’ victory against the Browns last week shows that Patrick Mahomes and Co. haven’t lost a step. The Ravens need a lot more firepower outside of quarterback Lamar Jackson, and they don’t have that at the moment with injuries continuing to pile up.
C.J. Doon, editor
Chiefs 34, Ravens 31: Ravens fans won’t want to hear this, but since 1990, NFL teams that start 0-2 have only made the playoffs 8% of the time. The game isn’t exactly a “must-win” thanks to the addition of a 17th game and a seventh playoff spot this season, but the Ravens will be trying to avoid their first 0-2 start since the disastrous 5-11 season in 2015. It all comes down to whether Don “Wink” Martindale’s defense can contain quarterback Patrick Mahomes, wide receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce. Expect the Ravens to keep this one close, despite all that’s working against them. Their season might depend on it.
Tim Schwartz, editor
Chiefs 41, Ravens 31: Dare I say the outcry about Monday night’s loss to the Raiders is overblown? The Ravens had an emotional and shocking week with a slew of injures and looked out of sync, but recent history says they will be fine, even if they start 0-2 in a 17-game season. Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce will be too much for the Ravens, who are expected to be without left tackle Ronnie Stanley as injuries continue to pile up. Lamar Jackson won’t fumble twice again; expect him to bounce back in another prime-time showing with a monster game to quiet the doubters. It still won’t be enough.
