The Baltimore Ravens are flying high to start the season, but they’re getting their first true test against the juggernaut Kansas City Chiefs. The total is understandably high for this game, but with Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes, we’re not sure there isn’t a total they can’t reach.
Baltimore Ravens vs Kansas City Chiefs (Matchup Report)
Date/Time: September 22, 1 p.m. ET
TV Coverage: CBS
Sportsbook Odds: Kansas City -7 | O/U 54 (Line History)
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
Despite their strong start, the Ravens find themselves 7-point underdogs. That line hasn’t shifted yet, but bettors do agree there is no total too big for these quarterbacks, as it’s already shifted a full point, from 54 to 55.
Baltimore News & Notes
Just in case you forgot, Lamar Jackson is, in fact, an incredible rushing quarterback.
In Week 1, Jackson threw for five touchdowns and 324 yards, but had as many incompletions as rushing attempts (three). Week 2 was more of what we expected from Jackson and, boy, was it great.
The sophomore signal-caller went 24 of 37 for 272 yards and two touchdowns, but added 16 rushes for a whopping 120 yards. Jackson’s dual-threat ability makes the Ravens offense not only difficult to stop, but it keeps their defense rested and ready to attack.
Baltimore, with the highest-scoring offense through two weeks, will get a chance to put up more points against a Kansas City Chiefs defense that allowed the ninth-most points last season and seemingly lives to play in shootout games. If Jackson can keep up his torrid start, the Ravens will have a chance to improve upon a stretch where they are 5-1 ATS in their last six games against the AFC West … even as a 7-point underdog.
Kansas City News & Notes
It’d be too easy to talk about how Patrick Mahomes clearly hasn’t shown a sophomore slump, and how he is the best quarterback in the NFL and so on.
Instead, let’s talk about the fact that the Chiefs seemingly haven’t missed a beat with star wide receiver Tyreek Hill injured. Superstar tight end Travis Kelce has been his usual self, but through two games, two different wide receivers have stepped up.
In Week 1, it was Sammy Watkins, who had 198 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He was quiet in Week 2, as it was Demarcus Robinson who broke out with 172 yards and two scores in a 28-10 win over the Oakland Raiders.
This team has so many weapons it’s a nightmare for defenses, even a unit as talented as Baltimore’s. The total has gone OVER in seven of Kansas City’s last 10 games and, right now, we don’t see any team that can stop that trend.
Betting Pick: OVER 55
Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson. Need I say more? Give me OVER 55.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of the Ravens’ last 7 games vs the AFC.
- The Ravens are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog.
- The Chiefs are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games after consecutive ATS wins.
