Once the NFL schedule was announced back in May and fans aw that the Chiefs and Ravens were set to meet in Baltimore in Week 3 on Monday Night Football, it was circled on everyone's calendars. Two former first round picks in Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson battling it for the second time in their young careers. Their only other meeting came in Week 3 of last season were the Chiefs were victorius in that game 33-28.
Both Mahomes and Jackson had fantastic season last season. Jackson winning NFL MVP while Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs to a Super Bowl title, the franchises first title in 50 years and second overall in the Super Bowl era.
It's not question that both Mahomes and Jackson will have Hall of Fame careers once their time in the NFL is done, however, we have a long way to go before we see these two hang up the cleats for good. Let's focus on the here and now and what was probably the most thrilling match-up of all the Week 3 games other than the Packers and Saints Sunday Night contest.
The Ravens came into the game having won 16 consecutive regular season games in a row, as the Ravens have not lost since Week 4 against the Cleveland Browns of last season. Would things change as the Chiefs are winners of 11 straight games, including their three postseason wins. Regular season wise, the Chiefs haven't lost a game since Week 10 last season which was against the Tennessee Titans.
There wasn't going to be a doubt that this game was going to be fun as this could potentially be an early look at what the AFC Championship Game will look like this postseason. Many experts expected it to Ravens-Chiefs last season, but the Titans dashed those plans.
To the game itself, the first quarter was much of the same that we have seen throughout the NFL through the first three weeks of the season. Some sloppy play on both sides of the ball. Kickers missing extra point attempts; field goal attempts; guys missing their blocks or not tackling. All that and a bag of chips. The second quarter and part of the second half proved to be much more entertaining and proved on how much Lamar Jackson still has some growing to do as an NFL quarterback.
Mahomes and Chiefs outscored the Ravens 21-7 in the second quarter, to head into the half up 27-10. The second half was more of a defensive stand still as both offenses struggled to amount any type of yardage. And when they did, the drives would either stall or resulted in a turnover. With the Ravens still within striking distance in the fourth, Jackson dropped back, but the pocket breaking down around him, and no where to go, Jackson took some key sacks that made the Ravens settle for a field goal or ending up having to punt.
The Chiefs slated the game away late as Mahomes found Offensive Lineman Eric Fisher for a two-yard touchdown reception that put the game on ice and the Chiefs defeated the Ravens 34-20 and ends the Ravens winning streak at 16 games.
The game proved to be another reason why Jackson has received some criticism; given his performance last year in the Ravens lone playoff game. Jackson has a hard time trying to come up big and fails to read the defense. Jackson can make plays with his legs, but he needs to rely on his arm to try and lead his team back into a game, he panics. Jackson will either overthrow his receivers or will make a mistake.
Jackson was held to under 100 yards rushing, and also 100 yards passing. Jackson was 15/28 with only 97 pss yards and touchdown. He had only 83 rushing yards. Combine the numbers, Jackson contributed for 180 yards in total.
Patrick Mahomes, was clutch per usual. Mahomes has a typical night at the office. Completed 31 of 42 passes for 385b yards, along with four touchdowns. Mahomes also ran in for one to make it five touchdowns in total on the evening.
It's evidence of how quarterback has learned to have a nice combination for both speed and arm strength, and while the other one still needs to figure out how he can combine both to be a more effective quarterback in the future.
The Chiefs return home to Arrowhead and will play the patriots next on a short week as they host the Pats this Sunday at 4:25 pm which will be the Game of the Week on CBS.
The Ravens will look to regroup on a short week, but they don't have to go very far, just down aways to Landover, Maryland to take on the Washington Football Team on Sunday afternoon.
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