Each year, as November turns into December, the focus of playoff fanbases in part shifts from the regular season to the postseason, looking at teams that stand in their own favorite’s way. This year is no different, as an 8-3 Baltimore Ravens squad looks poised for another postseason berth. In Charm City, we’re used to being the team that nobody talked about midseason but no team wants to play. In this week’s Hot Take Tuesday, I’d like to shed some light on an unexpectedly inconsistent team that needs our attention.
In recent weeks, much hype has been rightfully extended to surprising teams like the New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, and Cincinnati Bengals. Of course, this is fair, as all three are formidable opponents that could bring an abrupt end to the Ravens’ Super Bowl aspirations in January. I contend, however, that the team Baltimore should fear the most is one they’ve already beaten: the Kansas City Chiefs.
As we all know, Lamar Jackson & Co. pulled out an electric victory against KC on Sunday Night Football way back in week two. After that, the Chiefs spiraled into a spell of mediocrity that had QB Patrick Mahomes at the forefront. Since their uninspiring 4-4 start, though, the Chiefs have ripped off three consecutive victories and find themselves atop the AFC West, just one game behind Baltimore for the top spot in the AFC. With a stud quarterback, a plethora of weapons on offense, and a defense that’s finding its form and getting healthy, what’s to stop them from snagging the top seed in the AFC?
The Ravens fortunately find themselves in control of their own destiny for the conference crown, but even if they do wrap up the top spot (which I have my doubts about), there’s no team I’d find a less desirable opponent come playoff time than KC. They’ve gotten far less attention than usual, but they’re as dangerous as ever.
Considering the other teams likely to stand in the Ravens way, the flaws are apparent. Tennessee has a laundry list of injuries that’s starting to rival Baltimore’s own, New England has a rookie QB who has never faced a playoff game plan, and Cincy, well, I’ll believe it when I see it.
Kansas City, on the other hand, may be getting in a groove at the right time. We know this story well, folks. Every year there’s a team that looks inconsistent but finds an identity and wins late because of it, making a deep playoff run. I won’t say the Chiefs didn’t have an identity before, but they’re certainly starting to display it better now.
Being frank, no team has stepped forward as the clear frontrunner this year, and Andy Reid’s crew still has the most offensive talent of any team in the AFC. That sincerely scares me.
I hate to say this as a Ravens fan who believes no season has left the door more open for a Super Bowl run, but I see a storm brewing in Kansas City, and I’m not sure anyone can stop it. Harbaugh and Jackson have already beaten their most formidable foe in 2021, but they’ll have to do it again in 2022 if they want to book flights to Los Angeles in February.
I can’t say I’m confident that they will.
