Week 1: Chiefs vs Ravens Preview

Well folks, it’s actually here.  The NFL regular season will start tomorrow for our Ravens, and there is a lot of excitement surrounding this team. Tomorrow’s matchup shouldn’t be too much of a challenge, but one can never be too confident.

Opening Thoughts

This game will tell us a lot about the team.  It will show us if Ray Rice is suited to start and get 20-30 touches a game.  It will give us a great extended look at Michael Oher and show us if Lardarius Webb will have as big

a role as he deserved from his preseason play.  This is the first season where Matt Stover is not going to be the Ravens’ starting kicker. In fact, this is only the second game in their history where Matt Stover will not be playing.  Unless Steve Hauschka really can’t handle the job, the Matt Stover era in Baltimore ends tomorrow. It should be a fun game to look at how the team will be this year, and hopefully the Ravens won’t come in arrogant.

Key Matchups

Chiefs Pass Rush vs Ravens O-Line: Joe Flacco has said himself that he was impressed with the Chiefs’ linebackers, and this young offensive line needs to protect him well in order to keep him off the ground and keep him comfortable.

Ravens Secondary vs Chiefs QBs: With Matt Cassel questionable for the game, the secondary needs to be ready for able-bodied backup Tyler Thigpen to take the reins of the Chiefs’ offense.  If they didn’t focus on both QBs equally, they may be in trouble, but neither are Peyton Manning level, so once the DBs get adjusted to each one, they should be able to settle down and wreak their havoc like usual.  

Injury Report

Ravens

-DOUBTFUL: L.J. Smith, TE

-QUESTIONABLE: Dannell Ellberbee, LB

-PROBABLE: Brendan Ayanbadejo, LB; Haloti Ngata, DT

Chiefs

-QUESTIONABLE: Matt Cassel, QB; Terrance Cooper, WR; Brandon Flowers, QB

Prediction

Ravens win, 24-14.  Player of the Game will be Derrick Mason, who will have a great day with double-digit receptions, more than 100 yards and a long touchdown.  Chris Carr will take one to the barn and Sam Koch will drill every punt he has inside the 15.  Should be great.