by Wesley Peel
As we wait for the 2021 season to begin, I find myself thinking about last year. The promise the team had, the questions that loomed after they won the Super Bowl. Would there be a letdown? Would the team still perform after accomplishing their most significant goal, a Lombardi Trophy? Media members talked about the roster and how Brett Veach could bring back 20 of 22 starters from Super Bowl 54. So, with COVID limiting practices, OTA’s, and training camp, would having all but two players from a champion make 2020’s squad just as formidable?
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The season started with a game against the Houston Texans, who the Chiefs played in the Divisional Round, falling behind 24-0 early in the second quarter. Many thought Watson and the Texans would come out on a mission for this game in primetime. However, the Chiefs continued their dominance of Houston and cruised to an easy 34.
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Kansas City then went to LA to play Tyrod Taylor and the Chargers. Unfortunately, medical staff punctured Tyrod’s lung while administering pain medication for a rib injury he was dealing with. Tyrod’s injury thrust Justin Herbert into the starting role for the Chargers. Herbert would dazzle spectators, putting up 20 points on the Chiefs defense while going 22-33, for 311 yards with a touchdown and interception. Herbert went on to have an incredible rookie season and looks to be a worthy opponent for Mahomes in the AFC West for the foreseeable future.
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Chiefs at Ravens
Week 3, though, is my favorite game from the 2020 Chiefs season, partly because of all the hype the game received and partly because I have a hatred for the Baltimore Ravens. Mahomes’ dominance of the Ravens and Lamar Jackson is just a side story to the bigger picture, but it fills me with utter joy. I remember watching Chiefs teams looking good and making headway in the playoffs, only to lose to the more physical Ravens. The butt whooping in week 1 of 2009, as the Ravens beat the Chiefs 38-24. The team started 0-5 that year, and it was a season to forget. In 2010, the team reached the playoffs and were exciting to watch, hope filled Chiefs Kingdom. Then, in the Wild Card game, we watched the Ravens destroy a Chiefs team led by Matt Cassel, who was finally looking the part of a starting QB. The Ravens were just a more physical and dominant team, and no one on the Chiefs could seem to do anything against a defense led by Hall of Famer Ray Lewis. In 2012, I remember watching Jamaal Charles rush for 140 yards and still losing 9-6 because the Ravens defense kept him out of the endzone. The point is most of my memories of Chiefs vs. Ravens are filled with heartache and misery.
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Before this game in 2020, the Chiefs had won the last two Mahomes v. Jackson battles, 27-24 in 2018 and 33-28 in 2019. Mahomes won the 2018 MVP award, and Jackson won the 2019 MVP award. In 2019, Lamar led the Ravens to a stellar 14-2 record and a number one seed in the AFC playoffs. They were the talk of the NFL, their offense seemed unstoppable, and their defense was playing lights out… but… the Tennessee Titans went into M&T Bank Stadium and beat the Ravens 28-12. Many were shocked by how the game went and expected Jackson and the Ravens to come back in 2020 on a mission to prove themselves.
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The Ravens started 2-0 with their stellar offense on fire again and new weapons on defense. Everything was lining up for a beautiful Monday Night Football (MNF) game between the AFC’s best teams! The excitement was bubbling to the top, and everyone was calling this the game of the year. I was in Afghanistan with my unit, and several of us were piled into the “movie room” at 0400 to watch!
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The First Half
The game started with the Ravens getting the ball first, and as many expected, Jackson dazzled with his running ability. They drove down into the Red Zone, but the Chiefs’ defense tightened up and only allowed a field goal. Mahomes and company got the ball and drove down the field with ease. Baltimore sent blitzes, and Mahomes was able to find the voids, hitting Kelce for big gains. On a play in the Red Zone, Mahomes drops back and notices an opening to his right with the angle for him to run it in himself.
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Kansas City had responded to the Ravens’ field goal with a touchdown, and their onslaught began. MNF Analyst Louis Riddick said of the touchdown by Mahomes, “Way too easy!” Butker missed the extra point, and so the lead was only three points (6-3).
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The Chiefs kick it back to the Ravens, and Lamar starts another drive. The Chiefs’ defense woke up on this drive and decided they would not let the Ravens march down the field again. There was a quick penalty, so on 1st & 20, Lamar tries a short pass to his left, and Fenton is there immediately for a tackle for loss (TFL). On 2nd & 21, another quick pass and Damien Wilson tackles hard, forcing a fumble that goes out of bounds. So, 3rd & 15, Lamar drops back, gets pressure from Chris Jones, and runs to his left, where Jones tackles him and forces another fumble that goes out of bounds.
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The Chiefs’ defense on that drive had two TFL’s, two forced fumbles, and held the Ravens to negative yards. Fans in M&T Bank Stadium could probably hear the screaming from myself and my friends in Afghanistan!
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Baltimore was forced to punt, and like a shark, Mahomes smells blood in the water. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (CEH) gets involved in this drive on runs and screens. His effort and ability to keep his legs churning is evident and should prove to make him a great back for the next few seasons. The Chiefs get back into the Red Zone, and Andy Reid pulls out his magic tricks. On 3rd & goal, Mahomes play actions to Tyreek Hill and then finds Anthony Sherman open in the middle and underhand throws him the ball. Sherman walks into the endzone untouched, and suddenly it is 13-3.
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The defense is feeling good, and the Ravens are starting to feel their backs against the wall.
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The Chiefs kick it to the Ravens, and their returner, Duvernay, runs it back for a touchdown, making it 13-10.
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The unit allowing a return was an uncharacteristic mistake from Dave Toub’s special teams unit. Toub’s unit now has two errors on the night, a missed field goal and kick return for a touchdown.
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Good news, though, the kickoff return means Mahomes and company get the ball back. However, both teams decided to exchange three and outs.
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On the Chiefs’ 4th drive of the game. Mahomes hits a wide-open Travis Kelce, who quickly changes the field position with a 29-yard gain.
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The brilliance of Mahomes is on display all the time, but sometimes we fail to appreciate just how special he is. On a 3rd & 5 play, Mahomes is scrambling to his left, notices an open Mecole Hardman, and sidearms it to him to the right.
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Physics says he should not be able to do this so well, yet it travels 15 yards on a dime, and Mecole gains a few more yards. Shortly after, Mahomes finds Hill in the endzone for another touchdown, making the score 20-10.
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On the fifth drive for Baltimore, the defense steps up again. However, the worst part of the game happens; as Jackson is pressured, he tosses a pass to the right, and newcomer L’Jarius Sneed dives to try and intercept. Unfortunately, Sneed cannot make the play and lands awkwardly on his right shoulder, breaking his collar bone, as we found out after the game. Nevertheless, the defense holds and keeps the Ravens from scoring again. The Chiefs fifth drive showcases CEH’s running again (he looks special) and is capped off with a fantastic Mahomes pass.
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On 3rd &14, Mahomes takes the snap and backpedals, allowing him time to find a wide-open Hardman streaking down the field. Mahomes uncorks a pass that travels 56 yards in the air off his back foot and hits Mecole in stride for an easy touchdown.
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The score now sits at 27-10 and seemingly gets out of reach for Lamar and company.
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Jackson gets the ball back for his sixth drive and, on a second down, is pressured by Jones again, who forces another fumble, recovered by Ben Niemann.
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The Chiefs are given life with a chance to add to their lead heading into halftime. It is 2nd & 5; Mahomes finds Mecole downfield again and hits him in the hands in the endzone for an easy score… however… Hardman could not finish the catch, and the team must later settle for a field goal attempt. Butker’s struggles continue, and he misses the kick. The score for halftime is 27-10 Chiefs. So, for those of you keeping track in a game between, what the media was calling, two juggernauts, KC is two special teams gaffe, and a Hardman drop away from a 35-3 halftime score in Baltimore. Let that sink in for a moment; Mahomes was on fire and would have accounted for five touchdowns. Some teams go entire seasons and don’t score five touchdowns in a game. Mahomes finished the half with a stat line of 19/27, 260 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, and a rushing touchdown.
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The Second Half
The second half was an example of a better team holding the other team at arm’s reach. Baltimore showed some fight and grit while playing against a superior team, scoring ten more points. Mahomes added another touchdown in the fourth quarter, this time with some more magic. Deep in the Red Zone, Fisher acts like he is blocking and then leaks out to provide a massive target for Mahomes. Patrick puts the pass a little high, and Eric must show off his athleticism to catch the pass.
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The score ended 34-20 and after the first quarter, was never in doubt for the Chiefs. The game was a reminder to the NFL just how potent the Chiefs offense was and how well the defense can play. The final stat lines for both quarterbacks: Mahomes 31-of-42, 385 passing yards, four passing touchdowns & a rushing touchdown, Jackson 15-of-28, 97 passing yards, passing touchdown & a fumble.
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Our Kryptonite
While I was excited about the offense and how dominant they continue to show themselves, I was more pumped about the defensive performance. The Chiefs defense held the high scoring, and best rushing team of 2020, to a paltry 228 yards of offense, 158 of those from rushing. Lamar has made a large majority of the NFL look like nincompoops with their defensive schemes. He can run like no quarterback the NFL has seen since the days of Michael Vick. It is astonishing to watch and usually very frustrating for defenses. However, on this day, the Chiefs’ defense had four sacks, five quarterback hits, and three forced fumbles. Lamar feels the struggles, and when asked about what the Ravens do to beat the Chiefs in a post-game conference, he called the Chiefs “Our kryptonite.” After this game, Lamar Jackson was 21-1 against the rest of the NFL and 0-3 against Mahomes’ Chiefs.
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As a lifelong Chiefs fan, I have witnessed many struggles for One Arrowhead Drive. The team being a dominant force and exerting its superiority is something I may never get tired of watching. Watching from thousands of miles away, we were thrilled and slept well in Afghanistan that night. I look forward to the fourth match between these two teams and QBs this year, and I’m hoping to get to be with friends at M&T Bank Stadium to watch it first-hand!
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Wesley Peel — ArrowheadOne
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