September 26, 2020

By Fred Liggett
FredL@lstribune.net

All week long both the national and local media have been talking about the “Monster Monday Night Matchup” which pits the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs against the Baltimore Ravens. Ready to describe the action between the two teams is the new broadcast crew of Monday Night Football of Steve Levy, Brian Griese and sideline reporter Lisa Salters.

There is a lot to like and to look forward to with this tantalizing pairing between two teams that know each other well. Adding to the excitement is both teams taking the field with NFL MVP’s from the past two seasons. Chiefs QB Pat Mahomes won the honor in 2018 and Ravens QB Lamar Jackson followed in 2019. Even the coaching matchup is fueling additional interest with Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid in the position since 2013 while Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh who has held the post since 2008.

Just like the Chiefs’ first two opponents, the Baltimore Ravens are a team that is very familiar with the Chiefs having played them often in recent years. The Chiefs, thanks to a 23-point second quarter, enjoyed a 33-28 win over Baltimore last season. That game, just like in 2020, was also played in week three of the NFL season.

Looking at film this week to devise a winning game plan both teams saw a lot of similarities. The Chiefs beat the Houston Texans in week one 34-20 and last week the Ravens beat the Texans 33-16.

The Chiefs close call last week in Los Angeles has brought more attention to the team’s defensive side of the ball. The team’s defensive effort will be aided by the expected return of veteran DT Mike Pennel. Pennel’s return comes at a great time for the Chiefs who will be without DL Khalen Saunders for several weeks due to injury. This could help the Chiefs contain Lamar Jackson, Mark Ingram and Marquise Brown who lead the Ravens high-flying offensive attack.

After a high profile season opener against Houston and a visit to a long time division rival Los Angeles the Chiefs now have the task of going on the road to play the undefeated Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens who were 14-2 a year ago and the top seed in the AFC playoffs look to replace the Chiefs on top of the AFC mountain. Chiefs fans know the team does well given extra time to prepare for a game and Coach Reid & Company have had one more day to prepare for the Ravens. The Chiefs have won three in a row over the Ravens all by a close margin. Thanks to the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week Chiefs Place Kicker Harrison Butker the Chiefs will do it again on Monday night. I expect the Chiefs to return home after a three-point win in Baltimore and holding onto a 3-0 record. That’s What I REID Into It for this week.

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