Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Week 4: Who has the edge at each position?

After months of waiting, the Ravens are hours away from another intriguing battle against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. A game that was initially an AFC Championship game preview, both teams are 1-2, and the loser will face a significant uphill battle once they fall to 1-3.

Lamar Jackson leads one of the NFL’s most explosive offensive units, while Zach Orr’s much-maligned defense has star power at key positions, but several players will miss this game due to injury.

With kickoff just hours away, we’re looking at who has the talent edge and the advantage at each position.

Through the first three games of this season, Mahomes has produced the worst completion percentage (59%), yards per pass attempt (6.4), and fewest passing touchdowns (3) in his career. Jackson leads the NFL in passer rating and has produced nine touchdown passes and zero interceptions.

RB -Ravens

There is room for improvement on both teams. Mahomes leads the Chiefs with 125 yards rushing, his most through three games in his career. Chiefs running backs are 29th in the NFL with 188 rushing yards. Derrick Henry has 242 yards rushing this season, fourth-most in the NFL entering Week 4; his 5.9 yards per carry average ranked as the third-most entering Week 4, but he’s fumbled in all three games.

WR – Ravens

With Rashee Rice suspended and Xavier Worthy out with injury, Kansas City’s wide receiver production over the first three weeks has been lukewarm. With the big two out, Marquise Brown had logged 19 catches and 171 yards receiving. Tyquan Thornton has nine catches for 171 yards receiving. Worthy is back and will look for explosive plays. For Baltimore, Zay Flowers has 16 catches for 231 yards receiving and a touchdown. DeAndre Hopkins has five catches for 112 yards receiving and two touchdowns. Last week, Bateman had Bateman had five catches for 63 yards and a touchdown.

TE – Ravens

Travis Kelce has ten catches for 134 yards receiving. Isaiah Likely could return to the lineup on Sunday, and Mark Andrews is coming off a game in which he had six catches for 91 yards (15.2 avg) and two touchdowns.

OL –Even

Both teams have struggled to protect the passer, and Baltimore is coming off an outing where Lamar Jackson was sacked seven times.

DL — Chiefs

The Ravens are light with Madubuike and Broderick Washington both ruled out. The Chiefs will counter with Six-time Pro Bowl selection Chris Jones, the defensive tackle who leads the position in both sacks (41.0) and quarterback pressures (302) over the past five seasons.

LB – Chiefs

Roquan Smith is a tackling machine, and he’s been a first-team All-Pro in each of the last three years. Teddye Buchanan is a solid rookie who is learning on the job. The Chiefs will counter with Leo Chenal and Drue Tranquill. Both players are grading out higher over the first three weeks according to PFF.

CB- Chiefs

Baltimore’s secondary is ranked 31st in the NFL, allowing 266.0 passing yards per game, and was shredded by the Lions on Monday night. Kansas City’s secondary is tenth in the NFL, allowing 183.0 passing yards per game. 2024 second-team All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie leads the Chiefs.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Who has the edge at each position when the Ravens face the Chiefs?

Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Week 4: Who has the edge at each position?

Tags: