Chiefs Face Critical Test Against Ravens: Key Areas to Address After Week 3 Victory
The Kansas City Chiefs may have left MetLife Stadium with their first win of the 2025 season, but their 22-9 victory over the New York Giants exposed glaring weaknesses that could prove costly against a much more dangerous opponent this Sunday. With the Baltimore Ravens rolling into Arrowhead Stadium, the Chiefs find themselves at a crossroads that could define the remainder of their season.
For Chiefs Kingdom, the emotions are mixed. Relief washed over fans as Patrick Mahomes finally found his rhythm in the second half, but the underlying concerns about this team’s identity remain. The Chiefs didn’t look like the dominant force that has terrorized the NFL for years. Instead, they appeared vulnerable, beatable and frankly, ordinary at times.
Offensive Struggles Must End Against Elite Defense
The first half against New York was painful to watch. Mahomes looked out of sync, the running game sputtered, and the Chiefs managed just 10 points through two quarters against a Giants defense that has been anything but elite this season. If Andy Reid’s offense struggles that much against New York, imagine what Roquan Smith and the Ravens’ defense could do to this unit.
The Chiefs’ offensive line continues to be a major concern. Mahomes was under constant pressure, and when your franchise quarterback is scrambling for his life against the Giants, it raises serious questions about how he’ll fare against a Ravens pass rush that has been generating consistent pressure all season.
Tyquan Thornton‘s emergence as a legitimate receiving threat provides hope. The former Patriots receiver hauled in five catches for 71 yards and a touchdown, giving Mahomes a reliable target when Travis Kelce was neutralized. However, asking Thornton to carry the receiving corps against Baltimore’s secondary is a tall order for someone who was nearly out of the league months ago.
Run Defense Needs Immediate Attention
While the Chiefs’ defense generated pressure and forced turnovers against Russell Wilson, their run defense remains suspect. The Ravens possess one of the league’s most dynamic rushing attacks, led by Lamar Jackson’s dual-threat ability and a talented backfield that can exploit any weakness.
Baltimore has already shown they can control games on the ground, and if the Chiefs can’t stop the run, they’ll find themselves in extended drives that keep Mahomes on the sideline. The defense showed improvement in Week 3, but facing Jackson’s mobility presents an entirely different challenge than containing a pocket passer like Wilson.
Special Teams Concerns Could Prove Costly
Perhaps most troubling is the continued inconsistency of Harrison Butker. The veteran kicker has missed two field goals and two extra points through three games, including another missed field goal and extra point against the Giants. Against a team like Baltimore that can score quickly and efficiently, leaving points on the board could be the difference between victory and defeat.
Butker’s struggles are particularly concerning given the Chiefs’ offensive issues. When the offense is already having trouble reaching the end zone, they need their kicker to be automatic from anywhere within field goal range. The fact that former Chiefs kicker Spencer Shrader is having a perfect season in Indianapolis only adds salt to the wound.
Ravens Present Ultimate Test
Sunday’s matchup against Baltimore feels like a season-defining moment. The Ravens enter Arrowhead with a sense of urgency of their own. Both teams sit at 1-2, and understand what another loss at this point would mean for their season. Jackson’s ability to extend plays with his legs could expose the Chiefs’ pass rush, which has struggled to generate consistent pressure without Chris Jones dominating every snap.
The Chiefs’ secondary will face their toughest test yet against a Ravens receiving corps that can stretch the field vertically and create problems in the intermediate passing game. If the Chiefs can’t generate pressure on Jackson while also containing his mobility, this game could get ugly quickly.
Time for Championship DNA to Emerge
The silver lining from Week 3 was how the Chiefs responded in the second half. Whatever Reid said at halftime worked, as Mahomes completed 10 of 14 passes for 124 yards in the final two quarters. The defense also stepped up when it mattered most, forcing crucial turnovers that helped seal the victory.
That’s the championship DNA this team has built over the years, but it needs to show up for four quarters against Baltimore, not just two. The Ravens won’t allow Kansas City to sleepwalk through a half and then turn on the switch in the third quarter.
The Chiefs have the talent and experience to fix these issues, but time is running short. Sunday’s game against the Ravens will reveal whether this team can rediscover its championship form or if the early season struggles represent a deeper problem that could derail their title hopes.
