Lamar Runs Wild

By: Mike Rifkin

For the first time in 2021 the Kansas City Chiefs were defeated by the Baltimore Ravens 36-35. For the first time in his career Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson defeated Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Jackson had been 0-3 vs Kansas City in his career prior to Sunday night. Jackson had himself a night throwing for 239 yards and a touchdown, and added 107 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. With a little over a minute left in the fourth quarter on fourth down Ravens coach John Harbaugh asked Jackson if he wanted to go for it and ice the game, they did and the gutsy call paid off as Jackson used his legs like he had all night to secure the win for the Ravens. Baltimore got the ball late in the fourth quarter when Kansas City running back Clyde Edwards Helaire for the first time fumbled in the NFL. 

For Patrick Mahomes it was his first loss against Lamar Jackson, but it was also his first loss in the month of September in his entire career. Sunday night Mahomes went 24-31 for 343 yards three touchdowns and an interception. Tight End Travis Kelce had 109 yards and a touchdown on seven catches. Byron Pringle and Demarcus Robinson had the other two touchdown catches. Receiver Tyreek Hill who had almost 200 yards in week 1 vs Cleveland was taken away by the Ravens defense as he had 29 yards on four touches. 

The Chiefs run defense in this game was awful. They gave up 251 yards rushing to the Ravens. 18 of Baltimore’s 31 first downs came from their rushing attack. The Chiefs knew it was coming and still were not able to contain it. One situation the Ravens took advantage of was that the Chiefs were moving defensive tackle Chris Jones to the edge to get more pressure on quarterbacks, which begs the question why? Jones is the second best interior defensive lineman in the NFL and in this game there were times he was confused as to how to defend the zone read. The Chiefs defense did get back safety Tyrann Mathieu who had two interceptions, including returning one for a touchdown. The Chiefs will look to rebound on Sunday as they prepare for their first AFC West contest as they welcome the Chargers to Arrowhead.