Woah nelly, we have an actual game that actually matters to talk about, folks - grab a bag of Sun Chips and strap in.
The Kansas City Chiefs will be lowering their third Super Bowl banner in the Patrick Mahomes era and simultaneously beginning their voyage to becoming the first team in history to win three straight Super Bowls when they host the Baltimore Ravens. Here's how they'll start the season 1-0.
Force the Ravens out of 21 personnel
The Ravens ran the ball out of 21 personnel (two running backs, one tight end) at the third-highest rate in the NFL last season. Baltimore ran the ball 185 times out of 21 and totaled 847 yards in those situations, which was also the third-highest in football. The Chiefs allowed the second-most rushing yards out of 21 personnel in the NFL last season, per Sports Info Solutions, and they also gave up the most yards after contact against 21, as well. The Ravens are going to look to run the ball heavy, and they will do so with Derrick Henry running behind Patrick Ricard. Expect the Chiefs to absolutely load up the box and dare the Ravens to run at them. If they can't, and they end up in second and third-and-longs where they have to go with more spread looks, mission accomplished.
Take away Zay Flowers
What other receivers scare you on the Ravens' roster? Rashod Bateman? Respectfully, probably not. Have Trent McDuffie follow Flowers and allow Chamarri Conner to be the sole nickel corner. If they want McDuffie inside at some points, they can also trust Joshua Williams on the outside. Regardless, make life miserable for Flowers on the outside while Drue Tranquill, Nick Bolton, Leo Chenal deal with Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. Three-safety sets are also fine if you want to get more speed on the field. But the only receiver that really scares you at all for the Ravens is Flowers, so make him as much of a non-factor as possible.
Unleash Xavier Worthy
You drafted Worthy for a reason - speed. That doesn't just mean he has to be the guy who runs drags and go-routes only. The Chiefs should find a way to make Worthy somewhat of a Deebo Samuel type. Use some jet sweeps, tunnel screens, carries out of the backfield - orchestrate touches for this borderline superhero. This isn't all to say that he'll end up being the next Tyreek Hill, but he gives the Chiefs that type of component they've been missing for two years. Worthy's speed on the outside, as well as after the catch, will give teams deja vu, and I'd expect at least one or two deep looks his way.
