Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens: 9/19/21 NFL Picks and Predictions
The Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens face off on Sunday Night in a Week 2 NFL showdown at M&T Bank Stadium. Last September, the Chiefs were able to beat the Ravens 34-20.
The Kansas City Chiefs weren’t all that impressive in the first game of the season against the Cleveland Browns, but they still found a way to get the job done.At halftime, the Chiefs were trailing 22-10 but in the second half they bounced back in a big way winning 33-29. The Chiefs got another big game out of Patrick Mahomes and he threw for 337 yards and three touchdowns. Tyrek Hill also had a big game finishing with 11 catches for 197 yards and a touchdown. One area the offense can improve is with the running back. Clyde Edwards-Helaire was the top rusher finishing with 14 carries for only 43 yards. This is a Chiefs team that can come back because of the offense, but in this game, the defense needs to be better in the first half, so they don’t fall behind big.
On the other side of this matchup is the Baltimore Ravens who lost their first game of the season against the Las Vegas Raiders in overtime. At halftime, the Ravens were up 14-10 but a 4th quarter where they gave up 17 points let them down. Running back Lamar Jackson had a big game throwing for 235 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed 12 times for 86 yards. Wide receiver Sammy Watkins was the top wideout finishing with four catches for 96 yards. One issue for the offense was with their protection for Jackson. On defense, the Ravens let Derek Carr swing it all over the field.
The Chiefs are 1-4 against the spread in their last five road games. The Ravens are 2-5 against the spread in their last seven games in September. The over is 4-1 in the Chiefs' last five games against the AFC. The over is 4-1 in the Ravens last five home games.
These are two teams who scored plenty in the first game but didn’t play much defense. I expect this to be a great duel between Jackson and Mahomes with both guys going toe to toe. This total could be set at 58 or 59 and the over would still have value. Back the over.
AUTHOR: Shane Mickle
