5. What is your general opinion on the Ravens? Do you see them as the top threat in the AFC?
Oh, yeah. It’s a two-team race in the AFC between the Chiefs and Ravens. Not only do these teams have the two best quarterbacks in the league, let alone the conference, these two teams have the two best overall rosters. The Bills, Texans, and Titans may bark, but ultimately they’ve got no bite when compared to the Chiefs and Ravens. Before the season started, I ranked the Chiefs’ opponents, and had the Ravens as the toughest. That hasn’t changed.
6. What’s the biggest strength of the Chiefs that doesn’t get mentioned that much?
The secondary. That group keeps living by the motto Next Man Up, which can take a team only so far. But the Chiefs’ secondary has been battling injuries and suspensions, and the young guys, like L’Jarius Sneed, have been stepping it up. It helps that Tyran Mathieu leads the group and that Juan Thornhill is back, but even Thornhill isn’t 100%. And yet, the secondary’s been making plays, stepping it up when the linebackers fail.
7. As someone who covers the Chiefs what do you think about Lamar Jackson? Do you believe he’s on par with Mahomes?
Jackson’s great, and last year’s MVP won’t be his last. I also foresee at least one, and probably more, Super Bowl titles for him. But no, I don’t think he’s on par with Mahomes. Mahomes has the perfect combination of arm strength and accuracy that comes along only so often. He’s the best young passer I’ve ever witnessed. Jackson is as dynamic as Mahomes, sure, but Mahomes has the slight edge. Really, this is a 1A vs 1B type of situation.
8. What’s the one match up in this game on offense or defense that makes you nervous? What’s the match up you’re most looking forward to from a Kansas City point of view?
The Chiefs’ linebackers a) stopping the run and b) covering running backs in pass coverage is scary as heck. Anthony Hitchens and Damien Wilson just aren’t set up to succeed in either of those areas, which, you know, is kind of problematic. As far as the one I’m looking forward to, I’ll go with seeing what Marcus Peters can do against his original team. I’m not sure who he’ll be covering, but the Chiefs should exploit that matchup.
9. Prediction time, who wins and why?
Initially, I predicted the Chiefs to win this game and to finish the season 14-2. I think they can still finish 14-2 even if they lose this game, which I now believe they will do. I’ll take Baltimore in a close one, 30-29, due to their ability to establish and maintain a run game.
I want to thank Cullen Jekel for doing this Q&A. You can check out my answers to his questions here.
Are you ready for some football? I know I am.