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Matchups to Watch: Ravens vs. Chiefs
Here are the 1-on-1 matchups that will dictate the game in Kansas City.
RB Derrick Henry vs. LB Nick Bolton
Bolton leads the Chiefs in tackles and he'll face a motivated Henry, who has vowed to correct his fumbling woes after coughing up three in three games. Henry is also looking to have a more productive outing on the ground after rushing for 23 yards and 50 yards the last two weeks. In Henry's Ravens debut against the Chiefs last year, Kansas City held him to his lowest rushing total all season. He'll hope for a different outcome Sunday.
OLB Odafe Oweh vs. LT Josh Simmons
The Ravens will be intent on putting pressure on Patrick Mahomes Sunday after not recording a sack last week for the first time in four years. Oweh, who has yet to record a sack this season, could be a difference-maker against the rookie left tackle, who has had a promising start to his career through three weeks.
ILB Roquan Smith vs. RB Isiah Pacheco
Pacheco has yet to eclipse 50 yards this season, but the Chiefs will likely put him to work Sunday after the Ravens gave up 224 rushing yards against the Lions. Smith is the leader of the Ravens' front-seven, and he takes tremendous pride in stopping the run. If he can do that against the Chiefs and keep their offense in third-and-long situations, Baltimore's defense will be in a far better position to make plays. The Ravens need to do a good job tackling the hard-running Pacheco.
T Ronnie Stanley/Joseph Noteboom vs. DE George Karlaftis
Karlaftis leads the Chiefs with 15 quarterback pressures and two sacks this season. Keeping Lamar Jackson upright will be critical in a game like this, but the Ravens may have to do that without their star left tackle, Ronnie Stanley. Stanley (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game, leaving the door open for Noteboom to make his first start with the Ravens and protect Jackson's blind side.
CB Nate Wiggins vs. WR Xavier Worthy
Worthy is expected to return to the lineup after missing the previous two games with a shoulder injury. The Ravens got a taste of how dangerous the speedy pass catcher can be when he had two scores against them last year. Wiggins, who can go step-for-step with any receiver in the league, could be tasked with eliminating Worthy's deep-play potential.
