Some information given to us courtesy of Arrowhead Pride’s Jared Sapp.
In preparing for tonight’s matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, Arrowhead Pride’s Jared Sapp and I sat down for a Q&A for one another’s publications.
1. How are the Chiefs approaching this game? The storylines have heavily featured the Ravens “seeking revenge,” whether or not the players have stated so. What is/are the narrative(s) for Kansas City?
After an offseason plagued with off-field issues, the Chiefs are truly ready just to finally play. The obvious narrative is that the Chiefs are seeking the NFL’s first “three-peat” bid. A second narrative is the Chiefs want it to feel like their explosive offense is back after a season where Mahomes, Reid, Kelce, etc. appeared frustrated at times with inefficiency.
2. What were the key additions and subtractions from the Chiefs’ roster this season? Where do they look better than last season? Worse?
The obvious subtraction is cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who deserved some end of year honors for his play last season. The Chiefs did not really make any notable investments at cornerback this season in favor of in house options. . Unfortunately, the Chiefs did not find any dependable answer to play opposite of Trent McDuffie in the preseason, and every potential Sneed replacement missed at least part of training camp with injury.
The most notable additions are wide receivers Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy. So far, the presence of the deep threats appears to be opening up the offense more, though health has been a concern for both Brown and Worthy.
3. After suffering a shoulder injury in the preseason, wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown is the lone absence in practice and is expected to miss Week 1. Is his absence significant?
At the time of Brown’s injury, there was legitimate concern that his absence would be compounded by a suspension for Rashee Rice to start the season. With Rice set to play while his legal case remains in limbo, Brown’s absence is less of a concern. The Chiefs have now known for almost a month they will be without him. It is not a case like last year’s opener, when Travis Kelce was injured two days before the game after all installs had been completed.
4. The Chiefs are looking to become the first team to ever win three straight Super Bowls. Which position group is most likely to prevent them from history?
he Chiefs defense was already likely to take a small regression to the mean from their otherworldly play in 2023. There is no disputing that they are worse on paper with Sneed’s departure and being dependent on hope to fill the role. The Chiefs also lost some key rotational pieces that delivered big plays in linebacker Willie Gay Jr. and safety Mike Edwards. I don’t think the unit will suddenly bottom out, but they can’t be depended on to singlehandedly win games as they did much of last season. The team’s second starting cornerback and overall defensive depth is my biggest concern.
There is some national narrative that the Chiefs might be in trouble by starting a rookie second rounder at left tackle in Kingsley Suamataia. I don’t think that is going to be a major issue because the Chiefs have already persevered through subpar left tackle play for three seasons. Reid and Mahomes will know what plays they have time in the pocket to run.
5. What are your predictions for Thursday’s marquee matchup?
I would like Baltimore’s chances more if the Chiefs hadn’t been embarrassed on opening night a year ago in losing to the Lions. Travis Kelce and Chris Jones, who both missed the Detroit game, will be extra motivated or KC to be on its A game. Baltimore is rightly a popular Super Bowl pick, but I think the trip to Arrowhead is coming earlier than they would like with two first year starters on the offensive line and a new play caller on defense. The in-game communication may take weeks to iron out, and a packed crowd celebrating a Super Bowl win will not help. I am going with a Chiefs 30-20 victory, and I fully expect a more important meeting between the teams in January.