Monday, September 28, 2020, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland, 8:15 p.m. ET
Chiefs at Ravens Betting Preview: Chiefs (+3.5/-107), Ravens (-3.5/-114)
Kansas City Chiefs
Yes, the quarterbacks deserve top billing in this one as Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes — the 2018 NFL MVP — will try to outduel Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, the reigning award recipient. Mahomes passed for 302 yards and two touchdowns and added 54 yards on the ground on Sunday as the Chiefs (2-0) posted a 23-20 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Trusted target Tyreek Hill reeled in five receptions for a team-best 99 yards and a score versus the Chargers. Impressive statistics to be certain, however Hill had even better numbers (eight catches, 139 yards) in Kansas City’s 27-24 overtime victory over Baltimore on Dec. 9, 2018.
Five-time Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce have proven to be more than just the traditional safety valve, catching 15 of 20 targets this season while finding the end zone in both contests. Versatile rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire (208 scrimmage yards this season) gives coach Andy Reid an option out of the backfield.
Baltimore Ravens
Look for the Ravens (2-0) to make full use out of their fourth-ranked ground attack, which has averaged 170.5 yards per game this season after rolling up 230 in Sunday’s 33-16 victory over Houston. Jackson, Mark Ingram and rookie J.K. Dobbins look to exploit a Chiefs’ rush defense that has surrendered 150.5 yards per game.
Jackson has enjoyed a good rapport with Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews, who has an NFL-high 12 receiving touchdowns since the start of the 2019 season. Marquise Brown leads Baltimore in catches (10), targets (12) and receiving yards (143), although he was limited to just two receptions in a 33-28 loss to Kansas City on Sept. 22, 2019.
Cornerback Marcus Peters had an interception in his last encounter with his former team. Perhaps that’s not breaking news considering Peters has an NFL-best 28 picks since entering the league in 2015, with six of those resulting in touchdowns.
Chiefs at Ravens Betting Pick for Week 3
While the quarterbacks will garner the attention, let’s not forget that both teams boast kickers with a penchant for delivering in the clutch. Kansas City’s Harrison Butker earned his fourth career AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor after drilling a pair of 58-yard field goal attempts on Sunday — the second one was the game-winner in overtime — while Baltimore’s Justin Tucker has made 90.9 percent of his field-goal attempts and 306 of 309 extra-point tries.
So, pick your poison. But remember, neither kicker is shy regardless of distance.
Chiefs at Ravens Betting Pick:
Ravens 31, Chiefs 28
Chiefs at Ravens Best Bet for Week 3
While the easy “over” will be how many times the announcers gush over the two quarterbacks, the traditional over should also be in play when considering the potency of these two offenses.
Jackson sports a blistering 21-3 regular-season record since entering the league, although two of those losses have come at the hands of the Chiefs. That likely doesn’t sit too well with the competitive star.
Chiefs at Ravens Best Bet: OVER 54 (-110)
