Potential breakout offensive performance and 4 more things to watch for during Chiefs’ Week 4 matchup vs. Ravens
Things are lining up for Kansas City to have an offensive explosion this week.
The Kansas City Chiefs have the opportunity to get to .500 when they host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
The Ravens are also desperate to get that mark after dropping two of their first three games. The Chiefs have a couple of advantages entering this matchup, such as playing at home, getting key players back from injury, and Baltimore coming off a short week.
Here are our top 5 things to watch for during Kansas City’s Week 4 showdown against the Ravens.
Chiefs’ run defense containing Ravens’ rushing attack
Kansas City’s defense has stepped up big time against running back Derrick Henry in the past. In the 2024 season opener, Henry only mustered 46 yards on 13 carries. Back in the 2019 AFC Championship Game, the Chiefs held him to just 69 yards on 19 carries.
Henry could be in his head coming into this game, as he has uncharacteristically fumbled the ball three times already this season. However, quarterback Lamar Jackson is the other part of the equation in Baltimore’s rushing attack.
Watch for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to bring the heat and try to collapse the pocket before Jackson can escape it, much like the Detroit Lions did to him last week when they sacked Jackson a whopping seven times.
Getting WR Jalen Royals involved
The rookie Royals was active for the first time last week against the New York Giants, but didn’t play a single snap. Now that he has a couple of weeks worth of full practices under his belt, it’s time to get him going, especially with Rashee Rice still out until Week 7.
With Xavier Worthy expected to make his return against the Ravens, that could open things up for Royals to work underneath. Worthy and Tyquan Thornton will command a lot of attention downfield, and defenses aren’t sure what to expect from Royals.
Staying creative in the running game
Last week we saw the Chiefs have success handing the ball to WR Nikko Remigio and RB Brashard Smith on jet sweeps. With how much the one-two punch of Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt has struggled, getting speedier players creatively involved is a good idea.
Last week the Lions racked up 224 yards and four touchdowns on the ground against Baltimore’s defense.
The Ravens have already ruled out Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike against K.C., and could also be without their other starting DT Broderick Washington, as well as linebacker Kyle Van Noy. If there were ever a time for the Chiefs to put together a decent outing running the ball, it’s this week.
CB Trent McDuffie in the slot
McDuffie is great anywhere he lines up, but is especially impactful out of the slot. He’s also the Chiefs’ best option in that area, as he can hang with speedy receivers, as well as blitz the QB. He could give Jackson a lot of fits coming off the edge.
What has allowed McDuffie to play in the slot has been the performances of CBs Nohl Williams and Jaylen Watson. The rookie Williams has been extremely impressive so far, locking down WRs such as A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Malik Nabers.
Watson has also quietly been taking care of business. With Williams and Watson having the outside boundaries locked down, McDuffie can be the ultimate Swiss Army knife for Spagnuolo.
The emergence of CB/S hybrid Chris Roland-Wallace
Roland-Wallace has flashed in limited playing time over the past two years, and he’s rightfully earned a bigger role in the Chiefs’ defense. He played 30 snaps against New York last week, recording four total tackles, one pass defensed, and one interception (H/T Matt Lane).
Roland-Wallace is technically listed as a CB, but is used more like a safety. When guys possess that type of versatility, Spagnuolo will find use for them. K.C.’s defense must continue to create turnovers, and Roland-Wallace could be a big part of that.
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