The Baltimore Ravens have several problems to solve ahead of their Week 4 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. They cannot stop the run, have yet to pressure the quarterback consistently, and the offensive line has been a liability through the first three weeks.
Those obvious problems will not become any easier to solve on Sunday. Baltimore’s defensive linemen, Nnamdi Madubuike and Broderick Washington, are out, and Kyle Van Noy, Travis Jones, and even left tackle Ronnie Stanley are questionable. In such a crucial game, the Ravens must find a way to make improvements despite those injuries, and some can be fixed through coaching and game planning.
Baltimore has yet to win the time of possession battle in 2025, and it has been a key reason for their 1-2 start. In Week 1, they allowed the Buffalo Bills too many opportunities with the football late in the fourth quarter in their defensive meltdown. Week 3 was much of the same, as the Detroit Lions outscored them 17-9 in the fourth quarter.
In both those circumstances, running back Derrick Henry’s fumbles loomed large on the end outcome. The lack of consistent success on the ground also lingered, directly contributing to their opponents getting the ball back and having a chance to win the game. That cannot happen again versus the Chiefs.
Ravens must win the time of possession battle in Week 4
While Kansas City’s offense is off to a slow start, they have the playmakers to light up the scoreboard at any time. Obviously, it all starts with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and he will be getting back his top wide receiver in second-year pro Xavier Worthy. Tight end Travis Kelce also still demands attention, and former Baltimore wideout Hollywood Brown is finding some early success in his second season with the Chiefs.
This unit is not one to take lightly, and the Ravens cannot afford to give them too many opportunities with the football in late-game situations. That hinges on controlling the time of possession and slowly moving the football downfield like everyone has become accustomed to seeing from Baltimore’s offense in recent years.
To successfully make this adjustment, Henry must be better, and the interior offensive line must be better.
Henry has fumbled in three straight games, and after dominating Buffalo’s defense in Week 1, he has totaled just 73 rushing yards on 23 attempts in the past two games. That has been both on him and guards Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele.
The gaps have not been appearing as consistently on the interior without fullback Patrick Ricard. However, if the duo of Vorhees and Faalele can find their footing in the run game, the Ravens offense should be able to milk the clock, keep Kansas City’s offense off the field, and ice the game, unlike what happened in Weeks 1 and 2.