Baltimore Ravens (12-4) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)
The Baltimore Ravens are supremely confident going into this game on Sunday afternoon. They have a lot more playoff experience than the Chiefs do and it could play a big role in this game. The Chiefs are 7-1 at Arrowhead Stadium this year but they are an offensive team with a so-so D which the Ravens expect to exploit both on the ground and through the air. Here is a look at the matchups in this game:
When the Ravens have the ball: The Ravens will likely come out running the ball in this game with Ray Rice & Willis McGahee attacking a Chiefs’ D that is allowing 110.3 yards rushing per game and 4.3 yards per carry so far this year. The O-Line is going to have to keep Joe Flacco clean in this game to really excel on offense. The Chiefs are giving up 219.9 yards passing per game so Flacco is likely going to make some plays down the field. Anquan Boldin, T.J. Houshmandzadek, Derrick Mason and Todd Heap are likely all to see quite a few targets in this game.
When the Chiefs have the ball: The Ravens are going to key on stopping Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones in this game forcing the Chiefs to throw the ball. That will be easier said than done as the Chiefs are averaging 164.2 yards rushing per game and 4.7 yards per carry. The Ravens will likely double Dwayne Bowe and force Matt Cassel to beat them by throwing to some else. Safety Ed Reed will be ballhawking in this game as he has been outstanding since missing the first few games of he year due to injury.
PREDICTION: RAVENS 23, CHIEFS 16
