Baltimore's defense vs. Kansas City's offense... (1 Viewer)

[Raider Nation]

I'm sure that many of you, like me, are deciding whether to use the Ravens defense this week. Hard to sit such a studly D, but I'm having a hard time seeing a big day out of them. Baltimore's specialty is stopping the run, but L.J. runs on everyone. And I don't see a lot of turnovers, as Green is a veteran who takes care of the ball most of the time.

The forecast for gametime Sunday in K.C. is 48° with a 30% chance of showers.

I see the Chiefs winning at home something like 20-16. Sound about right?

Any and all opinions on this matchup are welcomed.

 

[The_Man]

I'm a Baltimore homer and Ravens D owner who is benching them this week.

They've had trouble stopping the Chiefs' running game in the past (remember the MNF when a mic-ed up Ray Lewis complained about being double-teamed when he was getting beaten by one-on-one blocking) -- so I see the Chiefs playing a very conservative game plan that will minimize chances for turnovers and sacks.

The Bengals showed very convincingly that the Ravens' offense still struggles to go 80 yards for a score. I think KC will try to do the same thing and minimize all chances of turnovers.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

I just bet 2 units on KC - 3.

Best bet of the week, imo.

 

[Marc Levin]

KC is REALLY tough at home in December.

That said, I am not sure it'll be much of an offensive showing by the Chiefs. LT struggled (as much as LT struggles) against the Ravens, and the Ravens' run D has not slacked off any since then.

Combined with their pass D, I could see this game going down as a defensive classic. 13-7 or 17-14 type of game with a LOT of punts and not a lot of yards. I think there will be at least one ST TD in this game - two awesome return games here.

Herm Edwards aint **** Vermeil against tough Ds - I expect Herm to call a TON of run-run-safe pass att - punt.

And the Ravens simply aren't cohesive enough on offense to make this an offensive showcase.

Despite the not even thinly veiled WDIS, you start the Ravens D in this game. The only reason not to start them is if you are in a turnover based league that does not reward low yardage/low points.

I could see a decent number of sacks, and big plays on ST/D, but not necessarily a lot of TOs (both Green and McNair are cagey vets who don't turn the ball over often)

 

[The Jacket]

The Chiefs, this year, aren't really the type of team who is going to blow you out on the scoreboard, but I see them controlling this game for 60 minutes. It might only be 17-13 or 20-14, but I don't think the game will be all that close. They'll continue to tease Chiefs fans across the globe and continue to puzzle fans who can't understand how it is that they can beat the likes of San Diego (and perhaps Baltimore), but lose to the f'ing Browns and Dolphins.

As for the Ravens defense, it'll depend on your scoring. I don't see them allowing a bunch of points, they're not going to allow a lot of yardage, and they should be able to notch at least 3 or 4 sacks. Green plays pretty smart football but, with that said, he seems to throw absolute gimme INTs every now and then (I can think of three vividly: a pick-six to Sheldon Brown last year on a dumb slant; a pick to Darrent Williams on a comeback route after he beat him like a drum all night; and a pick to [browns CB] on a similar route in the endzone). Maybe the Ravens will get their hands on a couple of these, too.

 

[Judge Smails]

I think KC is the type of team that may put them on their heels a bit, especially at home. You can't pin your ears back and blitz wildly, as a draw/screen to LJ could go to the house. If they stack the line, I see Trent chucking it deep to Kennison (Gonzo will be hawked after last week). Only way Ravens have big game on D is either with special teams as Levin mentioned (but remember Sams is out too) or somehow they get up big and force KC to throw. I don't see it happening in KC in December.

 

[Futeki]

I think KC is the type of team that may put them on their heels a bit, especially at home. You can't pin your ears back and blitz wildly, as a draw/screen to LJ could go to the house. If they stack the line, I see Trent chucking it deep to Kennison (Gonzo will be hawked after last week). Only way Ravens have big game on D is either with special teams as Levin mentioned (but remember Sams is out too) or somehow they get up big and force KC to throw. I don't see it happening in KC in December.

 

[wannabee]

I see LJ with close to, or over, 40 touches vs Balt.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

KC is REALLY tough at home in December.

That said, I am not sure it'll be much of an offensive showing by the Chiefs. LT struggled (as much as LT struggles) against the Ravens, and the Ravens' run D has not slacked off any since then.

Combined with their pass D, I could see this game going down as a defensive classic. 13-7 or 17-14 type of game with a LOT of punts and not a lot of yards. I think there will be at least one ST TD in this game - two awesome return games here.

Herm Edwards aint **** Vermeil against tough Ds - I expect Herm to call a TON of run-run-safe pass att - punt.

And the Ravens simply aren't cohesive enough on offense to make this an offensive showcase.

Despite the not even thinly veiled WDIS, you start the Ravens D in this game. The only reason not to start them is if you are in a turnover based league that does not reward low yardage/low points.

I could see a decent number of sacks, and big plays on ST/D, but not necessarily a lot of TOs (both Green and McNair are cagey vets who don't turn the ball over often)

The Ravens used to have a good return game.....see Sams injury and then get back to me...the Ravens just lost their best offensive weapon to a broke leg.

 

[The Jacket]

The Ravens used to have a good return game......

Same for the Chiefs, to be honest.All hype nowadays.

 

[Mungo Burrows]

KC is REALLY tough at home in December.

That said, I am not sure it'll be much of an offensive showing by the Chiefs. LT struggled (as much as LT struggles) against the Ravens, and the Ravens' run D has not slacked off any since then.

Combined with their pass D, I could see this game going down as a defensive classic. 13-7 or 17-14 type of game with a LOT of punts and not a lot of yards. I think there will be at least one ST TD in this game - two awesome return games here.

Herm Edwards aint **** Vermeil against tough Ds - I expect Herm to call a TON of run-run-safe pass att - punt.

And the Ravens simply aren't cohesive enough on offense to make this an offensive showcase.

Despite the not even thinly veiled WDIS, you start the Ravens D in this game. The only reason not to start them is if you are in a turnover based league that does not reward low yardage/low points.

I could see a decent number of sacks, and big plays on ST/D, but not necessarily a lot of TOs (both Green and McNair are cagey vets who don't turn the ball over often)

The Ravens used to have a good return game.....see Sams injury and then get back to me...the Ravens just lost their best offensive weapon to a broke leg.

We'll see what happens from here on out, but I still believe their success has been more a factor of the entire unit (blocking, etc), rather than Sams being a truly special player on his own. The key will be if his replacements can minimize mistakes now that they've gotten a week of practice knowing their roles. (See: Ivy's muffed punt vs. Cin)

 

[Uruk-Hai]

KC is REALLY tough at home in December.

That said, I am not sure it'll be much of an offensive showing by the Chiefs. LT struggled (as much as LT struggles) against the Ravens, and the Ravens' run D has not slacked off any since then.

Combined with their pass D, I could see this game going down as a defensive classic. 13-7 or 17-14 type of game with a LOT of punts and not a lot of yards. I think there will be at least one ST TD in this game - two awesome return games here.

Herm Edwards aint **** Vermeil against tough Ds - I expect Herm to call a TON of run-run-safe pass att - punt.

And the Ravens simply aren't cohesive enough on offense to make this an offensive showcase.

Despite the not even thinly veiled WDIS, you start the Ravens D in this game. The only reason not to start them is if you are in a turnover based league that does not reward low yardage/low points.

I could see a decent number of sacks, and big plays on ST/D, but not necessarily a lot of TOs (both Green and McNair are cagey vets who don't turn the ball over often)

The Ravens used to have a good return game.....see Sams injury and then get back to me...the Ravens just lost their best offensive weapon to a broke leg.

We'll see what happens from here on out, but I still believe their success has been more a factor of the entire unit (blocking, etc), rather than Sams being a truly special player on his own. The key will be if his replacements can minimize mistakes now that they've gotten a week of practice knowing their roles. (See: Ivy's muffed punt vs. Cin)

Agreed. Hard to quantify, but I think the unit makes Sams look better than Sams makes the unit look. Sams is good, but I hold my breath every time he's back there - he lays far too many on the ground or runs backwards too much for my taste. Now, I'm not saying his replacement will be as good - just that I think the opportunity is there with the way the Ravens set up their returns for someone else to be successful.

 

[mld530]

I agree that it isn't the greatest matchup, but I've ridden BAL all the way to the playoffs, and if bench them and watch them put up two defensive TD like they have a tendency to do every now and then, I'll shoot myself. I think you guys may be overthinking this one a little.

 

[roadkill1292]

I guess I'm like SI's Dr. Z, I can't get that thumping from a couple of years ago out of my head. KC is the type of offense that really negates what Baltimore does, runs straight at 'em, doesn't take many risks and won't offer the Ravens many chances to fly around making big plays.

Having said that, however, this looks like one of those "gotta start your studs" type of things. They're No. 1 or 2 in fantasy scoring, who else ya got?

 

[jpeace121]

Having said that, however, this looks like one of those "gotta start your studs" type of things. They're No. 1 or 2 in fantasy scoring, who else ya got?

I have the Ravens D and am benching them in the first week of our playoffs for the Bengals D. The Raiders are a great team to have a fantasy DEF play against.