Three things to watch for as Ravens host Chiefs

2) Balance beam

So far this season the Ravens have outscored their opponents 71-22 in wins over the Browns and Texans.

I have liked the balance so far this season between beating you with the passing game and beating with you the running game. The Browns present a strong front four and the Ravens struggled to get the running game humming along in week one totaling 111 yards on 30 carries. J.K. Dobbins did add two touchdowns rushing in the contest but all in all in, the week one offense was carried by Jackson through the air as he went 20-25 for 275 yards and three touchdowns.

After Edwards-Helaire sliced and diced the Texans defense for 138 yards and a touchdown on the opener, I called for the Ravens to run it back as one of the three things I was watching for last week. And they delivered racking up 237 yards on 37 carries including a 30 yard fourth down direct snap touchdown run by Mark Ingram early in the fourth quarter to put the contest out of reach.

More from Ebony Bird

• Will Baltimore Ravens be rewarded for risky Lamar Jackson decision?
• The Baltimore Ravens Big Gamble
• Ravens Super Bowl odds present fascinating insight on Lamar Jackson’s future
• Should Baltimore Ravens be interested in this recently released WR
• Do the Baltimore Ravens have serious interest in this free agent wide out?

The good news for the Ravens is after shredding the Texans on the ground they get to see a Chiefs defense that has surrendered 301 yards on 66 carries through the first two weeks of the season good for 4.56 yards per carry allowed. No knock on the running games of the Texans and the Chargers, but the Ravens are coming off the greatest rushing season in NFL history and somehow added Dobbins to the mix. In the last two meetings, the Ravens have churned out 397 yards on 72 carries and five rushing touchdowns against the Chiefs as well.

Through the air the Chiefs allowed 300+ yards to Chargers rookie Justin Herbert in his first career NFL start last week. Their corners are depleted by  at this time with injuries to  Charvarius Ward and Antonio Hamilton and the suspension to Bashaud Breeland. There’s a good chance that they promote a practice squad corner to potentially take some nickel and dime snaps on Monday night. Ravens should be able to find success through the air if their O-Line holds up (more on that later).

One of the main things that stood out to me watching the Chiefs-Chargers highlights on Monday morning was that this Chiefs team simply cannot tackle. It was evident throughout the highlights that they struggled mightily taking down the opponents ball carriers and my eyes beliefs were confirmed:

EL OH EL at the Jets.

The Ravens offense should be able to find success both on the ground and through the air against the Chiefs and that balance is paramount to the team’s success both Monday night and henceforth.