Chiefs' site predictions fail to think critically about Ravens game
By Matt Sidney
There is no denying the Patrick Mahomes-sized shadow Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens find themselves in. It's a shadow that's grown bigger and uglier over the years, finally rearing its ugly head in the AFC Championship game last year.
The Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10, largely due to shooting themselves in the foot. If you don't take care of the football, it's hard to win games, especially in the playoffs. It's not an excuse by any means. The Ravens didn't do enough or play well enough to win the game and it's as simple as that. The Chiefs beat them fair and square.
This season holds new challenges for both teams. Star cornerback L'Jarius Sneed is gone for the Chiefs. They'll rely on young pass catchers to pick up the Mahome-led offense. Rookie receiver Xavier Worthy is a very fast and potentially massive weapon, but Ravens' rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins ran 0.07 seconds slower in the 40-yard-dash and looks like a steal from the draft himself.
Derrick Henry has joined the Ravens' offense too. All of this is to say that simply going off of year's past is a bit of a jaded way to look at the future. Who knows what will happen tonight? The Ravens very well may lose this game and be blatantly outmatched. Or they could learn from past mistakes and conquer the mountain that is Mahomes and the Chiefs.
Let's let the play on the field do the talking.
Chiefs writers are blinded by glare of Lombardi Trophies when making Week 1 predictions
In an exercise by Jacob Milham over at Arrowhead Addict, the writers of the site proposed their predictions for Week 1, and let's just say the results were not mixed. In fact, every single writer for the site predicts the Chiefs will win tonight.
For visual learners, refer to our table below highlighting the writer, score, and game winner.
Writer | Score prediction | Winner |
|---|---|---|
Patrick Allen | 24-20 | Chiefs |
Tyler Brown | 27-20 | Chiefs |
Price Carter | 28-22 | Chiefs |
Max Cashio | 21-17 | Chiefs |
Matt Conner | 21-18 | Chiefs |
Braden Holecek | 31-23 | Chiefs |
Scott Loring | 33-23 | Chiefs |
Jacob Milham | 32-26 | Chiefs |
Greg Morse | 28-21 | Chiefs |
Shawn O'Brate | 31-20 | Chiefs |
Charles Robinson | 26-24 | Chiefs |
Stacy D. Smith | 20-17 | Chiefs |
Lucas Strozinsky | 24-17 | Chiefs |
Folks, that is 13 writers who unanimously predicted the Chiefs to win the game. But it's not like they're biased or anything like that. It's honestly refreshing to see they're all thinking "critically" over there at Arrowhead Addict. Drink the cherry-red Kool-Aid at your own peril, my colleagues.
The common theme among the writers at Arrowhead Addict is the Chiefs' defense will overwhelm Jackson and the Ravens' offense so much the Ravens essentially don't stand a chance. Again, last AFC Championship game that might have been the case, but this season, just like every other season, is different. Just because something worked last year doesn't mean it will this year.
Yes, the Ravens lost the AFC Championship game last season. Yes, the Ravens have struggled against the Chiefs in the past. However, this is a new season, and with it comes new outcomes. I understand I have my own bias here, but I truly think the Ravens show up ready tonight as they embark on their Super Bowl run.
This team is giving "Team of Destiny" vibes and I'm all aboard the hype train.
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