Five teams built to beat the Chiefs: No. 1, Lamar Jackson’s Ravens-ZoomTech News

Editor’s observe: That is the final of a five-part collection on the quarterbacks and groups finest geared up to cease Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs from turning into the primary NFL workforce within the Tremendous Bowl period to three-peat. No. 1 on our listing: Lamar Jackson and the Ravens (No. 5 was Jalen Hurts and the Eagles, No. 4 was Brock Purdy and the 49ers, No. 3 was C.J. Stroud and the Texans, and No. 2 was Jared Goff and the Lions.)

Lamar Jackson threw his helmet to the bottom in frustration, offended at himself for the error he’d simply dedicated within the greatest recreation of his life. 

His Ravens, trailing the Chiefs 17-7 with lower than seven minutes left in final season’s AFC Championship Recreation, have been in scoring place simply exterior the purple zone. A possibility to carry the sport inside a rating was inside grasp. However that is when Jackson made an ill-advised throw to tight finish Isaiah Seemingly, who was triple lined in the long run zone. The move was picked off. 

It was the final of numerous expensive errors made by Baltimore, which went on to lose 17-10. 

For the second time in 5 seasons, the Ravens failed to show the AFC’s No. 1 seed right into a Tremendous Bowl look.

For league observers, it was a reminder of the hole that persists between Jackson and Patrick Mahomes, who improved to 4-1 in opposition to the Ravens quarterback. 

“That man was the principle man I used to be enjoying for, truthfully,” then-Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen stated postgame of Jackson. “A lot stuff he will get that he does not deserve. This was his alternative to have the ability to write a few of that stuff off and transfer on to the subsequent factor. That is why it hurts, since you wish to see folks like that, teammates that you simply love and care about, get what they’re speculated to get.”

Who’s to say that may’t lastly occur in 2024? 

Playoff success has eluded the Ravens over the previous a number of years, however arguably no NFL workforce is best geared up to supplant Kansas Metropolis than Baltimore, which boasts a roster crammed with big-game expertise and top-end star energy. 

It begins with the 27-year-old Jackson, who gained his second MVP award final season, turning into considered one of simply 11 gamers in league historical past to win a number of MVPs. As a passer, Jackson had career-highs throughout the board — in passing makes an attempt (457), completion charge (67.2%), interception charge (1.5%), passing first downs (167) and yards per try (8.0). He additionally added a team-high 821 speeding yards, his fifth straight 12 months main the Ravens in speeding. 

Jackson was considered one of six Ravens final season to obtain first- or second-team All-Professional honors from the Related Press. The others have been Queen, center linebacker Roquan Smith, security Kyle Hamilton, defensive sort out Nnamdi Madubuike and fullback Patrick Ricard. Moreover Queen, who signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in free company, all are again for a Baltimore workforce returning 14 starters. 

One of many new starters is perennial Professional Bowl working again Derrick Henry, who signed a two-year, $16 million cope with the Ravens in free company after a historic tenure with the Tennessee Titans. The league’s carries chief since 2022, Henry types a doubtlessly deadly backfield tandem with Jackson, top-of-the-line dual-threat quarterbacks of all time. 

The Ravens begin their 2024 season proper the place they left off, in opposition to the Chiefs. On Thursday night time in Kansas Metropolis, Jackson & Co. will watch Mahomes & Co. elevate one other banner. Might that be Baltimore subsequent 12 months?

Why Jackson and the Ravens might beat the Chiefs in a possible playoff rematch

Baltimore’s lone landing in final season’s AFC Championship Recreation, a 30-yard connection between Jackson and vast receiver Zay Flowers within the first quarter, was made doable by the run recreation. 

Early in that drive, dealing with a fourth-and-1 from their very own 34, the Ravens known as a designed run for Jackson, who picked up 21 yards. The following play, working again Gus Edwards picked up 15 yards on the bottom. The landing move adopted Edwards’ run. 

A stronger emphasis on the speeding assault is what might propel the Ravens previous the Chiefs in a possible playoff rematch. 

Many league observers have been left scratching their heads when Baltimore went away from the run within the AFC title recreation. The Ravens led the NFL in rushes per recreation (31.8) and speeding yards per recreation (156.5) throughout the common season, however they ran the ball simply 16 instances in opposition to Kansas Metropolis (9 within the first half, seven within the second half) for 81 yards. 

Offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s strategy positioned a ton of stress on Jackson’s arm, and the Ravens paid the results. Jackson was sacked 4 instances and turned the ball over twice, and the Chiefs dominated time of possession, 37:30 to 22:30. 

Naturally, Henry’s presence ought to preserve Baltimore from leaning so pass-heavy in opposition to the Chiefs in a doable rematch. 

The four-time Professional Bowler has traditionally dominated Kansas Metropolis, too. 

In seven regular-season video games in opposition to the Chiefs, he has 78 carries for 447 yards (5.7 yards per carry) and 6 touchdowns, based on Professional Soccer Reference. His 111.8 speeding yards per contest common in opposition to Kansas Metropolis within the common season is his second-highest common in opposition to any workforce.

Henry’s success in opposition to the Chiefs hasn’t been restricted to the common season, both. In two playoff video games in opposition to Ok.C., he has 45 carries for 225 yards (5.3 yards per carry) and two touchdowns. 

The Chiefs, who had their finest protection of the Mahomes period final season, allowed 4.5 yards per carry in 2023, rating seventeenth within the NFL. That common dips barely in opposition to 11 personnel (one working again, one tight finish), the place Kansas Metropolis allowed 4.7 yards per rush and 4 speeding touchdowns in 2023, based on Subsequent Gen Stats. 

That is the place the Ravens might exploit the Chiefs. 

Baltimore had 944 speeding yards on a formidable 6.0 yards per try with three scores out of 11 personnel final season — with out Henry. 

With the star working again within the image, the Ravens grow to be considerably tougher to scheme in opposition to. Eleven personnel does not usually supply a inform towards the run or move, so the Chiefs must brace for the specter of a Henry run, Jackson run and a Jackson move to considered one of his prime two targets (Flowers, star tight finish Mark Andrews) concurrently. 

That is why the Ravens pose a large menace to the Chiefs.

That is why two-time MVP Jackson can lastly attain the most important stage. 

5 groups that may forestall a Chiefs three-peat: 

No. 1: Lamar Jackson/Ravens

No. 2: Jared Goff/Lions

No. 3: C.J. Stroud/Texans

No. 4: Brock Purdy/49ers

No. 5: Jalen Hurts/Eagles

Ben Arthur is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand labored for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Community, the place he was the Titans beat author for a 12 months and a half. He lined the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for 3 seasons (2018-20) previous to transferring to Tennessee. You possibly can observe Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.

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