The Sunday Kansas City Chiefs vs Baltimore Ravens matchup will be hosted at Baltimore, kicking off at 1 PM EST. This expected to be an interesting game, and a lot will come down to coaching. These are two quality coaches, and who makes or avoids the big plays will be a determining factor.
With two closely matched teams like these, this game will likely come down to the wire. The game may be determined by a decision of going for a 4th down versus punting, or even a single field goal.
Like all great football games, this Championship match up could come down to clock management by the coaches. Historically, Andy Reid has had the upper hand when it comes to managing the clock.
My Record
I am 20-11 on my predictions for the NFL Playoffs so far this year. I will break it down for you in this article, but first: the agenda. In this article, we’ll cover:
- Baltimore Ravens strategy to win the game.
- Win the turnover battle, they have done this all year.
- Contain Mahomes and keep him in the pocket.
Baltimore Ravens Strategy
The Ravens are the clear-cut favorites, and there’s plenty they can do to knock the Chiefs out of the playoffs. If the Ravens want to step into the Super Bowl ring, they’ll need to be strategic and play their best ball.
With Coach Harbaugh at the helm of this ship, the Ravens have a decent shot to win this game. They’ve got some dynamite players on offense, including Rashod Bateman, rookie Zay Flowers, and Odell Beckham Jr. Of course, having a quarterback that isn’t afraid to run doesn’t hurt the Ravens either.
On defense, they’ll need to clamp down against this dynamite Chiefs offense. The Chiefs always look like a whole new team in the post-season, and this year is no exception. They’ll need to lock down dynamite players Rashee Rice, MVS, and hold Pacheco on the run.
Kansas City Chiefs Strategy
I believe the Chiefs can win this game in multiple ways. The Chiefs have multiple spots they can exploit Baltimore on the defensive side of the ball.
- This is much easier said then done, but keep Lamar Jackson in the pocket.
- When they blitz, send a defensive back rather than a linebacker. Lamar has a lot harder time outrunning defensive backs.
- Mahomes can use his legs this game more than normal
Offensively, the Chiefs will need to work their magic to keep the ball moving down the field. Patrick Mahomes will do just about anything to win, so I’m expecting this to be a high-energy game. Most of the Chiefs players hit their player lines with no problem so far during the post season, and I don’t think they’ll let us down against the Ravens.
The Odds
The odds are at +165 for the Kansas City Chiefs, with the Baltimore Ravens at -195.
The spread is set with the Kansas City Chiefs at +4.0, and with the Baltimore Ravens at -4.0.
The over in this game is at 44.5, with the under being under 44.5 points.
I predict this game to be a very close one, I don’t see either team have a clear advantage, I see it coming down to the wire. For that reason I like the Chiefs at +4.0 on the spread.
Player Props
There are a couple of player props I’m betting on in the Chiefs vs Ravens match up this Sunday.
Rashod Bateman to get over 22.5 receiving yards (-110)
Bateman is one of the Baltimore Ravens best receivers and one of Lamar Jacksons favorite targets. Up against the Chiefs defense, I expect him to hit this line. He also got 39 receiving yards against the Texans last week.
Marquez Valdez Scantling to get over 14.5 receiving yards (-110)
In the 2023 NFL season, MVS of the Kansas City Chiefs has averaged 19.7 receiving yards per game. He smashed this line last week against Buffalo, with 62 receiving yards. This line seems like a no-brainer to me.
Isaiah Pacheco to get over 65.5 rushing yards (-115)
Pacheco is a beast when it comes to the over on his line. This season he got 935 rushing yards, and in the post season he’s gotten 186 so far. I’m expecting him to have another great game, especially looking at his post-season stats. Against Buffalo, he got 97 rushing yards, and 89 rushing yards against the Dolphins. The Chiefs don’t come to play in the post-season.
Patrick Mahomes to get over 26.5 rushing yards (-115)
Mahomes lives for the post-season competition. I remember betting on his rushing yards on Thanksgiving and like many other players that day, he did not hit the over. In the post-season, however, I’m confident that Mahomes will do whatever he has to do to win. He’ll throw any distance, rush any amount of yards, and push his teammates to do their best.
Game Lines
I have a feeling this game is going to be close, and the moneyline seems too tough to call. Instead, I’m putting my money on this line.
Kansas City Chiefs spread at +4.5 (-120)
I’m expecting the Chiefs to come out hard against the Ravens. The Chiefs own the post-season, with two Super Bowls in the last couple of years and multiple post-season appearances. If the Chiefs do not win outright, I’m expecting that they keep the game within 4.5 points.
How to Bet on the Game
The odds in this article are courtesy of my favorite sportsbook, Bovada. I’ve been betting on their platform for years and highly recommend it. You can read my full Bovada review here.
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