Key Challenges Chiefs Defense Faces Against Ravens, Jackson

The Baltimore Ravens have long had one of the most dynamic offenses with Lamar Jackson at quarterback. But in 2023, Jackson has taken further strides to become a more well-rounded and dangerous quarterback. And for a team that has been built on physicality and toughness in the past, Baltimore has somehow increased their tenacity this season. As a result, the Kansas City Chiefs face one of their stiffest tests among recent playoff matchups. In the AFC Championship Game, Kansas City will face specific challenges against Baltimore. That is especially true when the Chiefs defense matches up against the Ravens offense and Lamar Jackson.

By all accounts, this year’s defense was the best that the Chiefs have had in the Patrick Mahomes era. KC has finished seasons strong defensively with him before. But in this particular campaign, the Chiefs defense has taken the league by storm for an entire season. In both yards allowed and points allowed this year, Kansas City finished second in the NFL. On the flip side, the Ravens finished first in points scored and sixth in total offensive yards in 2023. Seemingly, Jackson is all but set to join Mahomes as a multi-time NFL MVP winner.

What are the key challenges that the Chiefs defense will face when squaring off against the Ravens offense and Lamar Jackson? Are there any possible areas where Kansas City can neutralize Baltimore? Let’s kick it off.

Maintaining Eye And Feet Discipline

Obviously, the Ravens offense will present unique challenges via a few different factors. First off, Baltimore can put opponents in binds with their ability to utilize misdirection. This can be done with the running game out of shotgun, the play action pass game or with the quick passing game on shallow routes. Elsewhere, the Ravens are not hesitant to use eye candy and pre-snap motion. This element has likely never been more essential in today’s NFL and for the Ravens on offense, as a whole.

Finally, Baltimore has a rare ability to alter their tempo on offense throughout different portions of the game. They can take a more methodical approach while constantly pounding the rock on the ground. Or, the Ravens can strike quickly down the field through the air, due to their increased talent at wide receiver this season.

In total, it will be essential for the Chiefs defense to maintain solid eye and feet discipline. There will still be a fine balance of accomplishing that, and still not being too conservative, nonetheless. Kansas City just cannot get caught back on their heels. If that happens too often, the Ravens offense could kill them with a plethora of explosive plays.

Containing Jackson To Middle Of Field

Overall, Lamar Jackson has made improvements against pressure and the blitz. He was not completely clean in this area in the Divisional Round victory over the Houston Texans. However, Jackson adjusted incredibly as the game moved into the second half. For most of this season, the Baltimore signal caller has proven to be more patient when it comes to extending plays. He is also correctly timing throws and not getting the ball out too late, compared to prior years. The same can also be said about Jackson not forcing the ball into the middle of the field anymore, to boot.

It will be fascinating to see how Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo looks to pressure Lamar Jackson. In the end, Spagnuolo could look to attack through the interior of the Baltimore offensive line. That could allow Chiefs pass rushers to potentially get after Jackson with a shorter track, so long as they get home. On the other hand, if Kansas City looks to attack the Ravens quarterback from wider angles, containing Jackson will be the main focus. Can they keep him in the middle of the field and collapse the pocket?

Winning Battles On The Outside And In Deep Areas

Winning battles in the passing game will be the most crucial clash between the Chiefs defense, the Ravens offense and Lamar Jackson. As mentioned above, Baltimore did well to bring in more talent at wide receiver this past offseason. That has created the most talented pass catching group that Jackson has had, up to this point. With that added talent, the Ravens offense are utilizing more play action within the pass game. Because of that, Jackson has been aided by increased separation from his teammates in the intermediate and deep areas of the field.

In the Divisional Round against Buffalo, Kansas City forced the Bills to settle for short passes and add yards after the catch with those completions. Spagnuolo has kept teams from beating the Chiefs defense over the top by dropping his safeties extremely deep. We also know that he is not afraid to call upon his dime package, adding more defensive backs and speed onto the field in obvious passing situations. Additionally for the Ravens offense and new wide receivers, they will face a stingy Chiefs secondary. Can Baltimore beat the man coverage of the physical Kansas City cornerbacks? If not, the Chiefs defense could truly offset the Ravens offense and certain progress that Jackson has made.