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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — When the final seconds ticked away to yet another early-season defeat, the visitors’ sideline at Arrowhead Stadium looked more like a treatment room than a football bench. The Chiefs’ red sea roared all around them, and the Ravens’ bench felt like an emergency room. It looked like a meltdown. It sure felt like one, too. As the reigning AFC champions piled on in the second half of Sunday’s 37-20 win, the predictable cry started to ripple across social media from Ravens Flock. Fire John Harbaugh. Fire defensive coordinator Zach Orr. Somebody must pay. I get the impulse. The Ravens’ defense, once a league-wide trademark of dominance, just suffered another beatdown from a Super Bowl contender that entered Sunday with a season-high of 22 points scored in a game. Kansas City turned what should have been a back-and-forth boxing match into its personal backyard track meet, punctuating Baltimore’s soft zone and missed tackles with Patrick Mahomes’ wide grin that flashed so often across the video boards. If you’re a fan who watched from home or braved the trek to Kansas City only to witness Baltimore drop its third game in four tries, frustration comes naturally. But firing Harbaugh or Orr right now would be the wrong kind of dramatic overreaction. This doesn’t feel like willful incompetence or a veteran coach who’s lost the locker room. Rather, this is a team facing adversity head-on, crushed beneath injuries and an unforgiving opening schedule. Those facts matter. Just look at Sunday’s injury list. Related Articles Mike Preston: Ravens’ Lamar Jackson disappears in pivotal moment | COMMENTARY Ravens’ defense is struggling like never before: ‘Got to get it fixed’ The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Position-by-position grades for 37-20 loss to Chiefs Ravens lose Lamar Jackson to injury in 37-20 loss to Chiefs, fall to 1-3 Instant analysis from Ravens’ disastrous 37-20 loss to Chiefs Lamar Jackson favored his hamstring. Ronnie Stanley sat with his ankle wrapped. Roquan Smith winced through his own hamstring injury. Marlon Humphrey clutched his calf, while Nate Wiggins was carted to the locker room, where he was presented with a sling for his right elbow. Add all those names to an already bruised roster that played without Nnamdi Madubuike, Kyle Van Noy, Jaire Alexander, Patrick Ricard, Travis Jones or Broderick Washington. Said running back Derrick Henry: “The ‘injury bug’ is real right now for us.” For all the early heat Harbaugh is facing, he has built his Baltimore tenure on steadiness through storms like this. The Ravens are no strangers to slow starts in September. Baltimore has lost at least two of its first five games in each of the past four seasons. Harbaugh’s accomplished teams, though, tend to find their stride when the calendar flips. None of that excuses their latest loss, but it provides the kind of historical context that separates an emotional reaction from a rational decision. Consider the gantlet they just endured: Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit and now Kansas City. At least three opponents with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. That’s an early-season buzzsaw for any NFL team, let alone one that’s as beat up as Baltimore. The Texans (1-3) loom next Sunday at home, representing a get-right spot for the Ravens. If Baltimore limps into its bye in Week 7 with five losses, we can revisit the conversation. Until then, calls for pink slips feel like an overreaction given the team’s health. The same should be said of Orr, the second-year defensive coordinator. Ravens running back Justice Hill is tackled by Chiefs cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace. Baltimore lost the Week 4 matchup, 37-20, to fall to 1-3. (Reed Hoffmann/AP) The Ravens entered the Week 4 matchup ranked dead last in total yards allowed. The Chiefs only piled on. It was embarrassing work by the visitors, but did you notice the members of the defensive huddle in the second half? “Baltimore’s Josh Tupou stops Kansas City’s Kareem Hunt for a 1-yard gain,” the press box announcer said during the third quarter. Josh Tupou? The 31-year-old defensive tackle who was signed off the street three days before kickoff, playing meaningful snaps in what some described as an AFC championship preview? C’mon. Removing Orr, 33, in late September won’t magically regenerate healthy hamstrings or elbows. It would only add chaos to a unit already scrambling for bodies. Give him some grace down six defensive starters, including his entire starting defensive line. “Obviously, you’re losing multiple All-Pro guys, and that’s not going to help a defense,” safety Kyle Hamilton said. Just last year, the Ravens were in a familiar spot, bottom dwellers in the league’s defensive rankings. But Orr, in his debut campaign as the team’s top defensive coach, made in-season adjustments and the schedule softened up. All that led to the Ravens finishing with a respectable 10th-place ranking in total defense. There’s value in believing that Orr and the defense can turn it around again. Reinforcements, such as 2024 sack leader Kyle Van Noy, also appear to be on the mend. Van Noy returned to practice for the first time this week since suffering his hamstring injury Sept. 14. He participated in an on-field workout before he was ultimately ruled out before kickoff. John Jenkins, a 36-year-old veteran defensive tackle who has played for seven NFL franchises and for accomplished coaches such as Sean Payton and Pete Carroll, backed both Harbaugh and Orr. “Man, we’re going to work [for them]. Those are great leaders,” Jenkins said. “We’re going to do what we can to fulfill our jobs and they’re going to keep leading the way and we’re going to keep on following. Whatever they need us to do, we’re going to keep on trying and trying to do the jobs that they require us to do.” Baltimore fans deserve to be angry. They’ve watched a once-proud defense look helpless and a roster built for the playoffs stumble out of the gate. But anger doesn’t necessarily have to mean panic. The NFL, after all, is a week-to-week league. For now, the Ravens need bodies back and proper in-season adjustments, not heads to roll. Have a news tip? Contact Josh Tolentino at jtolentino@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/JCTSports and instagram.com/JCTSports. View the full article

Eventually, pregame speeches and words of “we’ll be better” start to wear thin. Kyle Hamilton said it best after the Ravens surrendered 37 points, 382 total yards and four passing touchdowns in their 37-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. “It’s a lot of talking,” the All-Pro safety said. “We just have to go do it.” The Ravens can preach that they will inevitably improve, but the numbers tell a more realistic picture. They have one of the worst defenses in the NFL and in the team’s proud history. There’s a lengthy list of ugly metrics that highlight the defense’s struggles, but these three stick out. The 133 points allowed through four games are an organizational record. The 2001 Patriots are the only team in league history that started 1-3 and won the Super Bowl. And no defense in the NFL has struggled more at defending the run and pass. There’s a chance that the defense regresses even further, given the disastrous string of injuries that it has already endured this season. Cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey (calf) and Nate Wiggins (elbow) and linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) exited Sunday’s game early and did not return. Those three joined edge rusher Kyle Van Noy (hamstring), defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (neck), cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) and defensive tackles Broderick Washington (ankle) and Travis Jones (knee) as players who have missed time this season. That’s eight key players who have been injured within the first four games. “Obviously, you’re losing multiple All-Pro guys, and that’s not going to help a defense,” Hamilton said. The injuries clearly took a toll Sunday. An already struggling pass rush was nonexistent, the secondary failed to cover long enough after Humphrey exited, and Kansas City’s running game found plenty of room. The Chiefs became the latest offense to control the line of scrimmage against the Ravens, a shocking contrast with the team’s typical standard. Kansas City gave star quarterback Patrick Mahomes plenty of time to throw, as he was sacked only once and was able to attack downfield. The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player completed 25 of 37 passes for 270 yards and four touchdowns as the Chiefs scored their most points since Sept. 24, 2023. “We’ve got to become consistent, stopping the run up front. That’s gotta be more consistent,” coach John Harbaugh said. “There were many times in this game that the Chiefs did what they did well, which is to get to third-and-short. … That just consistently did not happen.” Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster scores during the first half Sunday against the Ravens. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Mahomes and the Chiefs’ downfield passing attack had scuffled this season, entering Sunday averaging just 20 points per game and ranking 11th in offensive efficiency per DVOA. Not against the Ravens. Wide receiver Xavier Worthy returned from a shoulder injury and immediately made an impact, recording a team-leading five receptions for 83 yards while adding two carries for 38 yards. Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr failed to address the problems that plagued the team in its Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions. He often only brought four rushers, and when he blitzed, Mahomes picked the Ravens apart. Their zone defense was shredded and Kansas City targeted cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and Humphrey with Worthy, who used his blazing speed to gain separation. Baltimore also did not force a turnover, something Orr and the players said was a priority this offseason. The Ravens have not generated any turnovers outside of the two they forced against the Cleveland Browns in Week 2. “As a whole defense, I don’t think we’re playing bad,” Hamilton said. “I know it’s crazy to say that. Guys are wanting to do it so bad. It’s just a matter of fine-tuning little things.” Related Articles Mike Preston: Ravens’ Lamar Jackson disappears in pivotal moment | COMMENTARY Fire John Harbaugh? Ravens are too beat up for drastic measures. | COMMENTARY The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Position-by-position grades for 37-20 loss to Chiefs Ravens lose Lamar Jackson to injury in 37-20 loss to Chiefs, fall to 1-3 Instant analysis from Ravens’ disastrous 37-20 loss to Chiefs Orr’s reputation as a defensive coordinator continues to slip. In each of his two seasons as play-caller, the Ravens have started slowly. If Baltimore’s defense doesn’t elevate its play, Orr’s job security will come under even greater scrutiny. “We’ve got to get it fixed. We know that,” Hamilton said about the unit’s struggle. The defense’s effort seems to be affecting the entire team. Harbaugh was much more aggressive this week in going for it on fourth down after passing on the opportunity against the Lions. The Ravens went 1-for-4 on those critical plays, sliding to 2-for-6 on fourth down tries this season. Baltimore’s opponents are 9-for-11 on fourth down attempts, with the Bills, Lions and Chiefs a perfect 8-for-8. Concern over Baltimore’s defense has reached extreme levels after Week 4. The unit isn’t performing well, and opposing teams show little fear. The Ravens are running out of options — and words — to turn things around. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Jane at sjane@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Sam_Jane230. View the full article

Here’s how the Ravens graded out at every position after a 37-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. Quarterback For the past three weeks, quarterback Lamar Jackson has struggled by holding onto the ball too long and refusing to run. Regardless of the team’s record, the Ravens need him to take charge and it has to be done offensively. Jackson completed 12 of 20 passes in the first half for 108 yards, but at times seemed disinterested. He had two delay of game penalties and was called for intentional grounding. Jackson left the game with a hamstring injury before the fourth quarter, but for the first time since he was drafted almost eight years ago, he wasn’t a factor. Backup Cooper Rush was simply a dink-and-dunk quarterback. He had no presence. Grade: D- Running backs The good news is that running back Derrick Henry didn’t fumble for the first time in four games this season. He rushed eight times for 42 yards, but the Ravens had no running game. Again. Backup Justice Hill played well in third-down situations, but that was basically in a lost cause. It might be time for the Ravens to put in Keaton Mitchell to see if he can provide a spark. Nothing from nothing leaves nothing. The Ravens aren’t getting much on the ground, which means they will get even less through the air. Hill had a 71-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, but that was long after the outcome had been decided. Grade: D Offensive line This group couldn’t create many running lanes against a Kansas City rushing defense that was average at best. The Ravens didn’t have much consistency after their first scoring drive of the game, which was nine plays and 70 yards that was finished by an 11-yard pass from Jackson to Hill. Without a running game, the Ravens struggle in pass protection, which they did Sunday — especially guards Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele and right tackle Roger Rosengarten. This group is too big and bulky to finesse teams, and the group lacks quickness. The Ravens gave up three sacks and allowed Jackson or Rush to be hit eight other times. After last week’s game against Detroit in which the Ravens allowed seven sacks, this was another forgettable game. Grade: F Receivers The Ravens had 23 catches for 199 yards and averaged 8.7 yards a catch. This group isn’t bad, but Jackson seems lost while dropping back at times, or he doesn’t have time to throw. Slot receiver Zay Flowers had seven catches for 74 yards and tight end Mark Andrews had seven for 30, but the Ravens need to work outside receiver Rashod Bateman into the scheme more. He had only one catch for 24 yards, and the rest of the group was barely in play. Grade: C Defensive line Who were these masked men playing for the Ravens? It was a bizarre group, and the Ravens played just about everybody available, including backups John Jenkins, Aeneas Peebles, Tavius Robinson, C.J. Okoye and Brent Urban. In all honesty, it was like the Kansas City varsity playing against the Ravens JV. The Chiefs rushed for 118 yards on 32 carries and kept the Ravens off balance most of the game with running backs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt. Grade: F Linebackers The defensive line was already banged up, and the Ravens had even less of a chance when middle linebacker Roquan Smith left the game in the third quarter with a hamstring injury. Rookie Teddye Buchanan had seven tackles to lead this group, partially as a backup to Smith, but the Ravens took a pounding inside with Buchanan as well as weakside linebacker Trenton Simpson (4 tackles). They weren’t any better on the outside with Robinson (3 tackles) and Odafe Oweh (5 tackles), and the Ravens still don’t have a bonafide pass rusher on the outside. Until they acquire one or Kyle Van Noy returns from a hamstring injury, they don’t have a top guy on the outside. Even with Van Noy, the Ravens don’t have a pass rusher they can count on in crucial passing situations. Grade: F Secondary Apparently, the Chiefs studied Ravens vs. Lions film because they singled out cornerback Marlon Humphrey. Several times they sent receiver Xavier Worthy in motion, but they also had him on the outside with Humphrey one-on-one and the results weren’t pretty. Kansas City also used tight end Travis Kelce on the inside against Humphrey. Rookie safety Malaki Starks (2 tackles) will be a good player one day, but he isn’t ready for prime-time teams like the Lions and Chiefs. Safety Kyle Hamilton led the Ravens in tackles with eight. Kansas City did basically whatever it needed or wanted to do to win this game. Kansas City had 382 total yards of offense but could have added more. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes looked very comfortable. Grade: F Related Articles Ravens lose Lamar Jackson to injury in 37-20 loss to Chiefs, fall to 1-3 Instant analysis from Ravens’ disastrous 37-20 loss to Chiefs Ravens QB Lamar Jackson exits vs. Chiefs with hamstring injury Ravens lose 5 key players vs. Chiefs as injury woes continue Ravens TE Isaiah Likely returns but defense severely shorthanded vs. Chiefs Special teams Kansas City dominated the Ravens in return yards, especially on kickoffs. The Chiefs had four returns for a total of 132 yards and returns of 34, 47, 30 and 47 yards, several of those resulting in eventual touchdowns. It was basically a disaster. Tyler Loop converted on field goal attempts of 43 and 32 yards, and he even went a game without having a penalty on kickoffs. But it didn’t help because the Chiefs dominated in the return game. Grade: D Coaching In the past, Ravens coach John Harbaugh has always rallied his teams after a big loss, but the Ravens were no match for Kansas City. Mahomes and Kansas City coach Andy Reid kept the Ravens totally off guard, and the Chiefs used an assortment of running plays and then attacked the Ravens over the middle in the passing game. Offensively, the Ravens came out strong, but that disappeared after the first scoring drive. Once Jackson left the game, the spirit of this offense died with him. This is where coaching needs to kick in and take over. Grade: D Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. Ravens coach Jim Harbaugh watches from the sideline during the first half of his team's 37-20 loss to the Chiefs. The Ravens are 1-3 to start the 2025 season. (Charlie Riedel/AP) View the full article

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Lamar Jackson limped to the sideline and threw his helmet in disgust Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. The frustration late in the third quarter was a perfect summation of a long afternoon, for the Ravens’ quarterback and a banged-up Baltimore defense that only got more depleted as the day wore on against the Chiefs. A little more than a year after the two teams played a thriller that went down to the end (and a toenail), the drama was sucked out of this one long before the clock hit zero. Only unanswered questions remain. The Chiefs (2-2) rolled to a 37-20 victory in the critical AFC showdown, dropping the Ravens to 1-3 for their worst start to a season in a decade. Worse yet for Baltimore, Jackson suffered a hamstring injury after being tackled from behind by defensive end George Karlaftis. It was one of a handful of injuries on the day for the Ravens, who entered the game without four defensive starters because of injuries and lost three more along the way, including cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf), inside linebacker and defensive play-caller Roquan Smith (hamstring) in the second quarter and cornerback Nate Wiggins (elbow) in the fourth. Coach John Harbaugh did not have an update on Jackson’s status after the game but said that it “doesn’t look like it’s season-ending by any stretch” for any of the injured players. Jackson was not made available to reporters after the game, with a Ravens official saying that he was receiving treatment for the injury. The quarterback did eventually emerge from the locker room and had a significant limp as he exited. “Those are the challenges that you do face from time to time,” Harbaugh said of the spate of injuries. “It’s tough in a game like this against a really good team on the road, but you gotta try to find a way to win anyway.” Now the question is how much winning they’ll be able to do going forward, particularly if Jackson or others are out for any extended period. With the defeat, the Ravens, who entered the year as the favorites to win the Super Bowl, are off to their worst start since 2015, when they finished 5-11. How they will respond this time remains to be seen, but only 35 of 252 teams that have started a season with one win in their first four games have gone on to make the playoffs. Only the 2001 New England Patriots, who switched to Tom Brady as their starting quarterback, started 1-3 and won the Super Bowl. Baltimore came into Week 4 with the NFL’s top offense but looked like anything but for a second straight week. Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo sent a series of blitzes and used a spy on Jackson, who completed 14 of 20 passes for 147 yards with a touchdown and his first interception of the season while running six times for 48 yards. The Ravens’ defense was leaky again, too. Two days after safety Kyle Hamilton said that Ravens fans had been spoiled over the years, Sunday’s performance led to a lengthy apology afterward. “The product that we’re putting on the field right now is not up to par with what the Ravens have been in the past and been in the recent past,” he said unprompted to begin his postgame news conference in a speech that lasted about two minutes. “I think we know that. We’re trying our best to correct it, but obviously something’s wrong, so it’s up to all of us to try to fix that.” He also said he used a “poor choice of words” when calling Ravens fans spoiled. “Meant in the sense that that Ravens fans been accustomed to great defense, great teams, haven’t been a lot of teams in Ravens history since ’96 to underachieve to the point where fans felt disappointed in the season as a whole,” he said. “We gotta get it fixed.” Related Articles The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Position-by-position grades for 37-20 loss to Chiefs Instant analysis from Ravens’ disastrous 37-20 loss to Chiefs Ravens QB Lamar Jackson exits vs. Chiefs with hamstring injury Ravens lose 5 key players vs. Chiefs as injury woes continue Ravens TE Isaiah Likely returns but defense severely shorthanded vs. Chiefs That was evident early and often. The Chiefs scored on their first four possessions and did not punt until they led 37-13 midway through the fourth quarter. After the Ravens easily sliced through Kansas City’s defense on the game’s opening possession, covering 70 yards in nine plays that ended with a dump-off from Jackson to Justice Hill over the middle for an 11-yard score, the Chiefs had their way. They scored on a pair of field goal attempts before Patrick Mahomes (25 of 37 passing, 270 yards, four touchdowns) threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster and an 8-yard scoring pass to Isiah Pacheco in the second quarter for a 20-7 lead. Meanwhile, Spagnuolo, who has continuously vexed Jackson over the years, did so once more. That included a blitz late in the first quarter that led to an interception by linebacker Leo Chenal on a pass up the sideline intended for tight end Mark Andrews and another on fourth-and-1 from the Ravens’ own 41 with three minutes to go in the first half that resulted in Jackson’s pass sailing into the sideline incomplete. Derrick Henry also had just four carries — all in the first half — for 31 yards. Six plays later, the Chiefs found the end zone again. Then, their defense struck again. On the Ravens’ next possession, Jackson was sacked for a 2-yard loss and lost the ball in the process, with linebacker Drue Tranquill recovering the fumble at the Ravens’ 47. Kicker Harrison Butker missed a 56-yard field goal attempt, while the Ravens’ Tyler Loop tacked on a 43-yarder of his own to end the half and cut the deficit to 20-10, but that was as close as Baltimore would get. Ravens coach John Harbaugh, left, argues a call with referee Greg Gautreaux in the first half. (Reed Hoffmann/AP) With the Ravens already down their entire starting defensive interior, with Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike placed on injured reserve on Saturday and Travis Jones (knee) inactive, along with outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy (hamstring), more injuries piled up. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf) and linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) were ruled out in the third quarter before Jackson and Wiggins went down. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) started after being a game-time decision but exited in the first quarter and did not return. The Chiefs marched 65 yards in six plays on their opening possession of the second half, ending in a touchdown reception by Tyquan Thornton before another touchdown pass from Mahomes to former Ravens star Marquise “Hollywood” Brown in the fourth. Meanwhile, three times the Ravens faced third- or fourth-and-1 in the game, and they opted to throw each time. They didn’t convert any of them. “That’s play calling,” Harbaugh said. “I’m not gonna sit here and say I’m happy about it at all. I’m sure [offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s] not happy about it, either. None of us are. “Maybe we just need better plays. We need plays that are gonna pop open.” Mahomes improved to 6-1 all-time against the Ravens, while Jackson fell to 1-6 and 0-4 at Arrowhead Stadium. The Ravens’ 133 points allowed over the first four games are a franchise high. “It’s a long season,” Harbaugh said. “But the short term, it’s a challenge right now. “I’m concerned, but I’m not overwhelmed by [the 1-3 start]. Doesn’t really matter, we gotta win the next game.” This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson sits on the bench after being replaced by Cooper Rush during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson sits on the bench after being replaced by Cooper Rush during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson sits on the bench as his leg is worked on during Sunday's game against the Chiefs. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson sits on the bench after being replaced by Cooper Rush during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson watches from the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)Baltimore Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) is helped off the field after being injured during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Cooper Rush looks to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop, left, tries to tackle Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Nikko Remigio (81) during a kickoff return during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Ashton Gillotte, right, rushes against Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum (64) while trying to get to Ravens quarterback Cooper Rush (15) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster (9) is tripped up by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Mike Green (45) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)Baltimore Ravens defensive end Brent Urban (97) tries to block a pass from Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) is knocked out of bounds by Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (14) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) makes a catch for a first down while being defended by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson (35) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson heads off the field following an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) hugs Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) following an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) dodges past Baltimore Ravens cornerback Keyon Martin (38) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson gets tackled by Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis in the third quarter. Jackson would leave the game after the play with a hamstring injury and did not return in the 37-20 loss in Kansas City, Missouri. (Reed Hoffmann/AP)Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (80) scores a touchdown while being tackled by Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (14) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson heads off the field following an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)Ravens coach Jim Harbaugh, left, talks on the sideline with line judge Brian Perry in the second half. (Charlie Riedel/AP)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson heads off the field following an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)Baltimore Ravens place kicker Tyler Loop (33) makes a 43-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (43) slips past Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Chiefs defensive back Chamarri Conner tackles Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in the first half Sunday in Kansas City, Missouri. Jackson exited the contest in the third quarter with a hamstring injury and did not return. (Reed Hoffmann/AP)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) is sacked by Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Jerry Tillery (99) as Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum (64) watches during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is sacked by Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Jerry Tillery, left, during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (43) celebrates after scoring as teammate Tylan Wallace (16) watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City ChiefsSunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco, right, scores past Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Teddye Buchanan during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (43) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace (30) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) is congratulated by teammate Patrick Mahomes (15) after scoring during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Show Caption1 of 31Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson sits on the bench after being replaced by Cooper Rush during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Expand View the full article

Here’s what The Baltimore Sun sports staff had to say immediately after the Ravens’ 37-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4 of the NFL season on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium: Mike Preston, columnist This game went almost as expected with defensive end Nnamdi Madubuike and tackles Travis Jones and Broderick Washington injured. Maybe the defense was going to play a little harder because of the “next man up” mentality, but the Ravens weren’t going to win this game, not with receiver Xavier Worthy back in the Kansas City starting lineup. Regardless, the Ravens have been fortunate to play the past two years without any major injuries, but it seems to have caught up with them this season. This game was basically over once starting quarterback Lamar Jackson went out of the game with a hamstring injury near the end of the third quarter. Ravens coach John Harbaugh has to make some interesting decisions. Does he stick with second-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr for the rest of the season and allow the Ravens time to heal, or does he go with another top assistant, such as secondary coach Chuck Pagano, who was previously the coach of the Indianapolis Colts? Pagano was brought in during the offseason to bolster the secondary, but that has been a major part of the problem. The Ravens should just stay the course and see what happens. To rock the boat at this time might cause a major player revolt. The Ravens can still go on a nine- or 10-game winning streak because the NFL is an awful league. Once the Ravens get through the first 10 games, the schedule becomes easier. Josh Tolentino, columnist Kansas City left Baltimore’s battered defense in ruins. The Chiefs, who hadn’t topped 23 points all season, erupted for 37 in a must-win spot. Patrick Mahomes faced little resistance against a defense shredded by injuries. Baltimore generated minimal push at the line of scrimmage and was repeatedly beat to the punch. The Chiefs scored on seven of their nine drives; Kansas City punted just once, while Harrison Butker missed a 56-yard field goal attempt to account for the team’s other two non-scoring possessions. To make matters worse, the Ravens witnessed Lamar Jackson (hamstring), Ronnie Stanley (ankle), Roquan Smith (hamstring), Marlon Humphrey (calf), and Nate Wiggins (right arm) all exit the contest with injuries. The Ravens entered the season believing they were capable of bullying their way to conference supremacy. It’s a long season, but one month in, the Ravens sit at 1-3 and face serious questions about the team’s direction. Sam Cohn, reporter The Ravens are down bad. The latest nadir of what has been a downtrodden season came when the broadcast panned to Lamar Jackson sitting on the bench, gazing up at the scoreboard. A hat sat atop his head. Tape wrapped his hamstring. And backup Cooper Rush checked in with Baltimore trailing 30-13. It was seemingly the final straw in a game stockpiling the injury report with starters, All-Pros and playmakers. This season is on life support. The schedule gets easier from here, but there is every reason to worry about where the Ravens go from here if their health doesn’t improve. Grab the panic button and cautiously hold your hand above it while we await injury news. C.J. Doon, editor Even John Harbaugh’s worst nightmare couldn’t have imagined this. Key players keep dropping like flies. His defense, led by hand-picked coordinator Zach Orr, is hemorrhaging points week after week. Lamar Jackson suddenly can’t avoid a sack and coughed up a pair of ugly turnovers and inexplicably threw the ball away on fourth down before exiting with a hamstring injury. The offensive line is getting run over. Even Derrick Henry can’t be trusted amid a run of uncharacteristic fumbles. At one point Sunday, the Ravens’ defense had five rookies on the field. With Nnamdi Madubuike, Kyle Van Noy, Broderick Washington and Travis Jones already sidelined and Marlon Humphrey, Roquan Smith, Ronnie Stanley and Nate Wiggins exiting early Sunday, the team that experienced the best health in the NFL last season is suddenly being torn apart. How drastic will the changes be? It’s not out of the question that the Ravens will want to shake up the coaching staff after such a dreadful start to the season. Injuries are a huge part of the problem, but the Ravens have been uncharacteristically blown off the field in back-to-back weeks. Doing nothing would be a sign of complacency. For a team that prides itself on being tough and resilient, it will have to practice what it preaches to get out of this rut. Related Articles Ravens QB Lamar Jackson exits vs. Chiefs with hamstring injury Ravens lose 3 key players vs. Chiefs as injury woes continue Ravens TE Isaiah Likely returns but defense severely shorthanded vs. Chiefs Ravens vs. Chiefs live updates: Baltimore trails 37-13 with Lamar Jackson out Ravens place Nnamdi Madubuike on injured reserve in major blow to defense Tim Schwartz, editor What a disaster. The Ravens’ season is teetering on the edge of a nightmare, and it’s not even October. Lamar Jackson is hurt — how seriously is yet to be determined — and he joined Roquan Smith, Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins and Ronnie Stanley on the sideline. Baltimore is 1-3. The defense stinks. The offense looks totally out of sync. Jackson isn’t the all-time dynamic playmaker he has been throughout his career — dare I say he’s lost a step? Maybe it would be an overreaction to fire defensive coordinator Zach Orr or even coach John Harbaugh, but someone needs to be held accountable for this truly awful start to 2025. Bennett Conlin, editor The Ravens had some of the best injury luck in the NFL in 2024. It’s safe to say that luck is gone. The absences of three key interior defensive linemen coupled with Ronnie Stanley, Roquan Smith, Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins exiting early would be hard for any team to overcome in a road game against the Chiefs. Adding a Lamar Jackson injury into the mix is nightmare fuel. The Ravens are going to have to figure out how to successfully navigate life with injured contributors. The defense looks abysmal, and it had issues before the rash of injuries. What might it look like in coming weeks with some of its best players unavailable? At best, Baltimore will enter its bye week 3-3 if it can beat the Texans and Rams in consecutive weeks. At worst, the Ravens will come out of their bye with a losing record. Jackson’s superhuman talent means the Ravens can (and likely will) make a playoff push, assuming his hamstring injury isn’t a major issue. But fans should be worried about this team, especially if Jackson misses any time. They’ve spotted the Bills and Chiefs head-to-head wins, so even if they rally to make the postseason there’s a good chance that their path to a Lombardi Trophy will include road games against at least one of Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes. It’s not a lost season yet, but between the results and injuries, it’s hard to imagine a worse start to the year for the Ravens. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson exited with a hamstring injury in the third quarter of Baltimore’s critical matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. Jackson was ruled questionable to return as the game entered the fourth quarter with Baltimore trailing, 30-13. The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player appeared to injure his hamstring on the final play of a Ravens’ drive. He was tackled from behind by Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis and ran off the field without a noticeable limp. Jackson threw his helmet on the sideline in frustration and sat on the bench. Cooper Rush entered in relief. Jackson was 14-for-20 for 147 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception before exiting. He also added 48 rushing yards on six carries. He did not return to open the fourth quarter. He remained on the sideline for the rest of the game. The Ravens were ravaged by injuries in Sunday’s contest. Multiple starters — cornerback Marlon Humphrey, linebacker Roquan Smith, cornerback Nate Wiggins and offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley all exited the game early. Jackson’s injury ended the Ravens’ slim comeback hopes. Jackson’s never injured his hamstring before and has only missed 10 games in his career. The Ravens’ upcoming schedule includes a home matchup with the Houston Texans (1-3) next week and the Los Angeles Rams (3-1) the following week. Baltimore is on the verge of dropping to 1-3, as it trails 37-13 against Kansas City in the fourth quarter. Only a handful of 1-3 teams have ever made the conference championship game and if Jackson were to miss any time, the team’s playoff hopes becomes much murkier. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Jane at sjane@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Sam_Jane230. View the full article

Left tackle Ronnie Stanley exited with an ankle injury in the first quarter of the Ravens’ critical clash against the Kansas City Chiefs and is questionable to return. Stanley missed practice for most of last week with an ankle ailment and was listed as questionable entering the game. He tested his ankle before the contest and was able to suit up as a game-time decision. Stanley is the Ravens’ longest-tenured player and protects Lamar Jackson’s blindside. Amid the offensive line’s struggles, Stanley was playing relatively well to begin the season. Reserve swing tackle Joseph Noteboom replaced Stanley. Noteboom, whom Baltimore signed this offseason, has starting experience. He appeared in 14 games and started eight in 2023, and also started multiple games for the Los Angeles Rams last season. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Jane at sjane@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Sam_Jane230. Related Articles Ravens TE Isaiah Likely returns but defense severely shorthanded vs. Chiefs Ravens vs. Chiefs live updates: Baltimore marches to early 7-3 lead Ravens place Nnamdi Madubuike on injured reserve in major blow to defense Ravens vs. Chiefs staff picks: Who will win Sunday in Kansas City? Ravens injury report: 2 key players could return vs. Chiefs View the full article

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely will make his season debut Sunday against the Chiefs. Likely, 25, underwent foot surgery at the beginning of August, returned to practice just over a week ago and was a full participant for the first time Friday. His return should be a boost to an offense that already leads the NFL in points per game (37). In last year’s season opener against the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, Likely had nine catches for 111 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets. He also appeared to have scored a potential game-tying touchdown with no time left before replay overturned the call with his toe coming down out of bounds in the back of the end zone. For his career, Likely has 108 catches for 1,261 yards and 59 touchdowns over three seasons and has quickly become a favorite target for quarterback Lamar Jackson. Less encouraging for the Ravens (1-2) is the news that they will be without defensive tackle Travis Jones (knee), who is one of seven inactive players. Already, Baltimore is without fellow defensive tackle and Pro Bowl selection Nnamdi Madubuike (neck), who was placed on injured reserve Saturday along with fellow defensive lineman Broderick Washington. The Ravens also made outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy (hamstring) inactive. The 34-year-old sack leader from last season did go through an on-field workout early Sunday afternoon and appeared to be moving well, but he did not practice earlier in the week and was limited on Friday. Other inactive players for Baltimore include cornerback Jaire Alexander, fullback Patrick Ricard, running back Keaton Mitchell, rookie offensive tackle Carson Vinson and rookie safety Reuben Lowery III. Related Articles Ravens vs. Chiefs live updates: Baltimore marches to early 7-3 lead Ravens place Nnamdi Madubuike on injured reserve in major blow to defense Ravens vs. Chiefs staff picks: Who will win Sunday in Kansas City? Ravens injury report: 2 key players could return vs. Chiefs Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell: ‘Hell yeah’ he’s frustrated about not playing For the Chiefs, defensive end Mike Danna (left hip), cornerback Kristian Fulton (left ankle), running back Elijah Mitchell, tight end Jared Wiley, receiver Jason Brownlee, center Hunter Nourzad and defensive tackle Brodric Martin are inactive. As expected, wide receiver Xavier Worthy (right shoulder) is active, as is star defensive tackle Chris Jones. Jones was attending a family funeral Sunday in Mississippi and was flying back in time for the game, according to reports. He took off from Mississippi around 2:30 p.m. ET for the hour-long trip and was expected to be a “little late” for pregame warmups, but should arrive in time for kickoff. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The Ravens (1-2) and Kansas City Chiefs (1-2) face off Sunday afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium in a pivotal Week 4 matchup with both teams looking to get back on track after surprisingly slow starts. Kickoff is 4:25 p.m. on CBS. Follow along here for live coverage and analysis. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

The Ravens will be without Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike for the foreseeable future. Days after coach John Harbaugh said that he was “concerned” about a neck injury that has sidelined Madubuike since a Week 2 win over the Cleveland Browns, the Ravens announced Saturday that the 27-year-old former third-round draft pick will be placed on injured reserve. That will keep Madubuike out for at least the next four games, beginning with Sunday’s showdown against the reigning AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Baltimore also placed defensive tackle Broderick Washington (ankle) on injured reserve. To reinforce the defensive line, the Ravens signed defensive end Brent Urban to the 53-man roster and elevated defensive tackle C.J. Okoye and nose tackle Josh Tupou from the practice squad for Sunday’s game. Though not a surprise, the loss of Madubuike is a crushing one for a defense that has been one of the worst in the NFL over the first three weeks of the season. Baltimore is ranked second-to-last in points allowed per game (32) and last in yards allowed per game (415). It also ranks 30th in rushing yards allowed per game (149) after giving up 224 on the ground in a 38-30 loss to the Detroit Lions on Monday. Madubuike, whom the Ravens drafted 71st overall out of Texas A&M in 2020, has been a disruptive force in recent years. In 2022, he broke through with 5 1/2 sacks and a year later led the team with 13 sacks, which was also tops among all interior linemen in the NFL. Last season, Madubuike’s sack total dipped to 6 1/2, though he was one of the most double teamed linemen in the league, drawing extra attention on 233 snaps, per Next Gen Stats. Through two games this season, he had a team-high two sacks along with 10 pressures. Madubuike has also been a steady presence in the lineup, appearing in 55 straight games before suffering the injury. In his last start on Sept. 14 against the Browns, he logged 43 snaps. How Baltimore will deal with his loss remains to be seen, but he will not be easily replaced. Fourth-year defensive tackle Travis Jones should help, though he has has just 3 1/2 sacks and one pressure on his career. He has also been dealing with a knee injury this past week. Ravens rookie Aeneas Peebles practices against fellow defensive lineman Brent Urban. Both will be counted on to step up in Nnamdi Madubuike's absence. (Surya Vaidy/Staff) The Ravens have veteran John Jenkins and sixth-round rookie Aeneas Peebles as well and earlier this week signed veteran defensive linemen Taven Bryan and Tupou. The 6-foot-6, 370-pound Okoye, a product of the NFL’s International Pathway Program from Nigeria, has never played in a regular-season game. Tupou, 31, played three games with the Ravens last season. Harbaugh praised Jenkins for his performance against the Lions and will be counting on the 6-3, 360-pound veteran for more snaps. “His reps will go up, for sure, and he’s ready,” Harbaugh said Friday of the 13-year pro. “He’s practiced really well, and he’s a decorated vet and a really good player. He’s done a great job, so we’re expecting a really good game from him. Whether the Ravens look to fill Madubuike’s void via trade also remains to be seen. This year’s trade deadline is Nov. 11 after Week 10. Madubuike’s loss also stings financially. Last offseason, the Ravens signed him to a four-year, $98 million contract extension that included $75.5 million in guarantees and $53.5 million at signing. Related Articles Ravens vs. Chiefs staff picks: Who will win Sunday in Kansas City? Ravens injury report: 2 key players could return vs. Chiefs Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell: ‘Hell yeah’ he’s frustrated about not playing Will Taylor Swift be at Ravens game against Chiefs this week? The Ravens’ defense is struggling. Advanced stats paint an ugly picture. “[Nnamdi] is one of the best defensive tackles in the entire NFL and a cornerstone on our defense,” general manager Eric DeCosta said at the time. The deal at the time made him the second-highest paid interior defensive lineman in the league behind only since-retired Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald. The move came after Madubuike was the first Raven to reach double digits in sacks since Terrell Suggs in 2017 and after he tied an NFL record with a streak of 11 straight games with at least half a sack in 2023. Last season, Madubuike had 56 pressures, per Pro Football Focus, to go with 43 tackles, including 11 for loss. He also had a pass breakup. For his career, Madubuike has 30 sacks and 203 tackles over five-plus seasons in Baltimore. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Sunday’s Week 4 game between the Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Brian Wacker, reporter Chiefs 24, Ravens 20: At the start of the season, I would have liked Baltimore’s chances a lot more. A lot has changed in three weeks, though. The worrisome rate at which the Ravens’ defense is hemorrhaging yards and points combined with a slew of significant injuries, including to Nnamdi Madubuike and Kyle Van Noy, will be problematic against a Chiefs offense that gets speedy receiver Xavier Worthy back this week. Add defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s history of making Lamar Jackson look even just a little less elite along with left tackle Ronnie Stanley dealing with an ankle injury and there’s reason to think that the game might not even be this close. Perhaps Derrick Henry will help control the clock by gashing Kansas City on the ground and propel the Ravens to victory, but there’s too much stacked against Baltimore at this point to have such singular confidence. Sam Cohn, reporter Chiefs 31, Ravens 24: Four weeks ago, I predicted that the Ravens would split road games at Buffalo and Kansas City. No way they’d win both, I thought, but surely they could take one. This Ravens team isn’t playing like the juggernaut, Super-Bowl-bound group most figured it would be. So I’m shifting my prediction. The schedule gets easier from here and they’ll be fine by season’s end, but another loss at Arrowhead will haunt the Ravens throughout the season, making them easy fodder for pundits for an inability to beat the top dogs. The Ravens’ league-best offense will put points on the board, but it won’t be enough to overcome defensive injuries and lapses. As Lamar Jackson said this week, the only way to overcome issues elsewhere will be to “put more points on the board.” He can’t win them every game. Mike Preston, columnist: Chiefs 27, Ravens 24: Both teams are in search of wins. The Ravens are trying to rebound from a tightly contested loss to Detroit on “Monday Night Football,” while the Chiefs had an easier time against the winless Giants. Losses for both teams have come against quality opponents. Kansas City has lost to the Chargers and Eagles while Baltimore has suffered setbacks to the Bills and Lions. This game is virtually a toss-up because the Chiefs have struggled offensively while the Ravens have had defensive problems. It’s hard to win in Kansas City because of the culture and the crowd noise, but look for the Ravens’ receivers to come up with some big plays against cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. The Chiefs, though, have quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and it appears that the offense has gotten it together before it faces a Ravens defense that was humiliated a week ago. Take Mahomes at home. He has a 5-1 record against Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Josh Tolentino, columnist Chiefs 27, Ravens 24: The banged-up Ravens might boast the more talented roster, but recent trends make it difficult to trust them in Kansas City. Baltimore has been outcoached in both of its losses, and now it faces Andy Reid, one of the league’s ultimate in-game chess masters. This contest would’ve carried more juice if both teams had winning records, but there’s still plenty of drama attached. The Ravens’ defense lacked a backbone against Buffalo and Detroit, crumbling over and over again in key moments. While it wouldn’t be a shock if Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and company clean up costly mistakes, it won’t matter until the defense finally shows up. Patrick Mahomes is lacking playmakers, but will that really matter against this version of the Ravens’ defense? C.J. Doon, editor Chiefs 23, Ravens 20: It’s rare to see a “must win” game in Week 4, but that’s what this feels like. In NFL history, only the 2001 Patriots started 1-3 and won the Super Bowl (and that included a quarterback swap to Tom Brady). We’ve seen Baltimore start slowly and go on a run with Lamar Jackson before, but this team does not feel nearly as solid as those previous iterations. The Chiefs’ offense has looked almost as bad as the Ravens’ defense through three games, but Patrick Mahomes is pretty good at doing more with less, and he gets Xavier Worthy back this week. Given Baltimore’s nonexistent pass rush and the rash of injuries along the defensive front, it’s going to be tough to slow down the two-time MVP for a full 60 minutes. If it’s a close game late, I know which team I trust more. Related Articles Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell: ‘Hell yeah’ he’s frustrated about not playing Will Taylor Swift be at Ravens game against Chiefs this week? The Ravens’ defense is struggling. Advanced stats paint an ugly picture. Ravens vs. Chiefs scouting report for Week 4: Who has the edge? Mike Preston: It’s put up or shut up time for Ravens’ defense | COMMENTARY Bennett Conlin, editor Chiefs 34, Ravens 31: At full health on a neutral field, give me the Ravens. But playing on the road without Nnamdi Madubuike puts Baltimore in a tough spot. While the Ravens have reason to believe that they should be 2-1 or 3-0, so do the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes’ ability as a scrambler — he’s averaging 6.9 yards per carry this season — makes me worried about how this up-and-down Baltimore defense will fare in a tough road spot. The Ravens might have the most talented team in the NFL, but they’re also 1-5 against the Chiefs, Bills, Eagles and Lions since the start of the 2024 season. Make it 1-6, and look for the pressure to heat up on defensive coordinator Zach Orr. Tim Schwartz, editor Ravens 27, Chiefs 21: I said after Monday night’s loss to the Lions that I would not be taking the Ravens against a top-tier opponent again. But here we are. The Ravens can’t start 1-3, can they? Baltimore has started slow the past few seasons before reeling off a dominant stretch, and with how talented this team is, I suspect that will happen again. It must start Sunday afternoon in Kansas City. Another disappointing performance would open the gates for coaches to be fired — perhaps for good reason. But I expect the Ravens will be ready to play a full 60 minutes and for Derrick Henry to bounce back in a big way. Patrice Sanders, FOX45 Morning News anchor Ravens 30, Chiefs 27: The Ravens are coming off a disappointing loss in prime time. There are a lot of questions surrounding the defense and its lack of playing up to the standard that has been set for years. The Ravens usually bounce back after a loss and that expectation hasn’t changed. Unfortunately, they face Patrick Mahomes, and the Chiefs are 1-2 as well. Chiefs Kingdom will be loud, but there’s no better place for the Ravens to bounce back than in Kansas City. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. View the full article

Sunday’s showdown between the Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium pits two teams with identical 1-2 records but at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to health. While the defending AFC champion Chiefs head into the critical showdown almost entirely injury free, Baltimore is in rougher shape. Already without defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) for a second straight game, the Ravens also ruled out veteran defensive tackle Broderick Washington (ankle) along with fullback Patrick Ricard (calf), who hasn’t practiced since mid-August. Without Madubuike and now Washington, that will mean an increase in snaps for veteran John Jenkins, who played 49% of the defensive snaps in Monday’s 38-30 loss to the Detroit Lions. “His reps will go up, for sure, and he’s ready,” coach John Harbaugh said of Jenkins. “He’s practiced really well, and he’s a decorated vet and a really good player. He’s done a great job, so we’re expecting a really good game from him.” On a more positive note for Baltimore, however, tight end Isaiah Likely, who has yet to play this season after undergoing foot surgery at the beginning of August, fully practiced Friday and is listed as questionable. “He’s practiced one week, but he looked really good, so is he ready to go in there, in this game, against those guys and play at the top, top level and help us win the game, or is somebody else more suited?” Harbaugh said when asked about Likely’s availability. “But, he could do it. He looks good to me. I think he looks good, and we’ll just have to see if it’s the best thing for us on Sunday, and we haven’t really decided that yet.” In last year’s game against Kansas City, Likely scored what was initially ruled a touchdown with no time remaining that would have given Baltimore a chance to tie or win the game before the call was overturned by replay with Likely’s toe coming down out of the back of the end zone. He had nine catches on 12 targets for 111 yards and a touchdown in that game. Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who missed Monday’s game against the Lions with a hamstring injury, practiced for the first time this week, but was limited. Still, he is listed as questionable and has a chance to play Sunday. “It would mean a lot,” Harbaugh said when asked what it would mean to have Van Noy back after missing just one game. “We’ll just see where he is at and how he’s doing.” Pro Bowl Left tackle Ronnie Stanley, who missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, returned in a limited capacity and was working on a side field during the open portion of practice Friday. He is also questionable. Joe Noteboom, who made 35 starts in seven seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, would likely step in if Stanley can’t play. “He is doing well,” Harbaugh said of Stanley. “He’s kind of in that day-to-day world right now, so we’ll see. He’s working hard to be there on Sunday.” Related Articles Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell: ‘Hell yeah’ he’s frustrated about not playing Will Taylor Swift be at Ravens game against Chiefs this week? The Ravens’ defense is struggling. Advanced stats paint an ugly picture. Ravens vs. Chiefs scouting report for Week 4: Who has the edge? Mike Preston: It’s put up or shut up time for Ravens’ defense | COMMENTARY Defensive tackle Travis Jones (ankle) is listed as questionable, but did practice in a limited capacity for a second straight day after not practicing Wednesday. More concerning, though, could be how long Madubuike will be out for. On Friday, Harbaugh did not provide a timeline. “He’s out for this game,” he said. “That’s as far as I can state with certainty at this point.” Meanwhile, Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna (quad) is listed as doubtful, while reserve cornerback Kristian Fulton (ankle) and rookie defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte (elbow) are questionable. No one else has an injury designation for the game. Kansas City will also have speedy receiver Xavier Worthy back after a shoulder injury kept him sidelined the past two games. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

For three weeks, Keaton Mitchell has been mathematically eliminated from the Ravens’ game day roster — a truth that was harder to fathom watching the now-healthy running back cut up defenses in the preseason. “We just don’t have the spot right now,” coach John Harbaugh said. Baltimore carries three running backs for any given game. Two of those spots are reserved for starter Derrick Henry and backup Justice Hill. The third belongs to an insurance back relegated to special teams, which Harbaugh said “tilts the scale” in favor of second-year pro Rasheen Ali. Even after teammates and coaches lauded Mitchell’s post-surgery return to form, the 23-year-old former undrafted free agent is still waiting his turn for meaningful snaps. Is it frustrating? “Hell yeah,” the soft-spoken Mitchell said, his voice shooting up like a flare. “But it is what it is. Whenever they call my name, that’s when it’s gonna happen. I’m always ready.” Mitchell and Ali are comparable, speedy kick return options who play different positions on the punt team. Mitchell is a gunner, buried on the depth chart behind wide receiver Tez Walker and rookie cornerback Keyon Martin. Ali plays the slot, a blocking position on one end of the line of scrimmage. That special teams disparity is the primary influence in Baltimore finalizing its active roster. “It’s not so much that [Mitchell is] not getting better at the things that he needs to get better at,” special teams coordinator Chris Horton said, “it’s just like, ‘Where do we plug and play in that?’ That’s kind of how I see it.” Ali has 10 kick returns this season 272 yards, fourth most in the NFL with fewer attempts than any returner ahead of him. The 2024 fifth-round draft pick’s longest return was a 43-yarder, also a top-10 mark in the NFL this season. “Sheen’s doing a great job, obviously,” Mitchell said. “He doing good.” Ali went into the team’s concussion protocol after getting dinged up on the opening kickoff against the Cleveland Browns. He did not return and showed up at practice the next week wearing a red noncontact jersey, which could have opened the door for Mitchell. But Ali was back to full go a day later, avoiding any serious injury. Related Articles Will Taylor Swift be at Ravens game against Chiefs this week? The Ravens’ defense is struggling. Advanced stats paint an ugly picture. Ravens vs. Chiefs scouting report for Week 4: Who has the edge? Mike Preston: It’s put up or shut up time for Ravens’ defense | COMMENTARY Lamar Jackson vs. Patrick Mahomes is one-sided. The Ravens QB doesn’t care. In the preseason, Mitchell made light work of the Colts with 68 yards on nine carries and a touchdown. He was sidelined with a hamstring injury but returned to practice in the week leading up to the season opener. Horton called Mitchell a “heck of a kick returner” but was transparent in that the breadth of Ali’s job gives him the advantage. In addition to special teams, there’s also what Mitchell can do as a running back. In eight games during the 2023 season before he tore his ACL, he averaged 8.4 yards per carry and 10.3 yards per reception with two touchdowns as a change-of-pace option next to Gus Edwards. Mitchell was limited to just 15 carries for 30 yards in two games last season as he worked his way back from a significant knee injury, but he posted during the offseason that he hit 22.4 mph during a workout. “He looks good,” Harbaugh said during minicamp in June. “He looks way better than he did at the end of last season just as far as movement. I have hopes for him. I expect him to be really good.” Through three games, the Ravens rank 12th in the NFL with 122.7 rushing yards per game, with Henry and quarterback Lamar Jackson leading the way. But Henry has rushed for 50 yards or fewer in each of the past two games while fumbling three times over the first three weeks, a surprising problem that he’s vowed to fix immediately. Running backs coach Willie Taggart said before that season that “we can try to find different ways to get [Mitchell] the football so he can do his thing,” but so far, it hasn’t happened. “I would have loved to have had [Mitchell] out there the last three games,” Harbaugh said. “But when he’s out there, we’re going to be excited to have him. He’s on our team and he’s practicing well. He had a great week of practice and really looked good. So yes, that’s part of the dilemma with the numbers.” Baltimore Sun reporter Sam Jane contributed to this article. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

While Taylor Swift is living “The Life of a Showgirl,” she can still be cautious about her public appearances. The pop star has been spotted at numerous Kansas City Chiefs games, supporting her fiance and tight end Travis Kelce. As the Ravens prepare to face the team at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday and amid security concerns, will we see Swift on screen? Swift was seen at the Chiefs’ Sept. 14 home game behind a barrier, just days after the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk sparked increased fears of public gun violence. Swift secured a restraining order against her alleged stalker this week, The Los Angeles Times reported, and last year, she canceled “Eras Tour” shows in Vienna after the CIA uncovered plans to attack fans at the concert. Swift is also set to release her newest album “The Life of a Showgirl” on Oct. 3. She is expected to appear on “The Graham Norton Show” on the release day and “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Oct. 5. (L-R) Ashley Avignone, Taylor Swift, Alana Haim and Este Haim attend Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) Swift made her debut as an NFL WAG — wives and girlfriends — in September 2023 for her first game in Kansas City. Since then, she has attended many Chiefs home and away games while juggling the tail end of “The Eras Tour” and writing new music. Baltimore is sentimental to Swift, she said last month on the New Heights podcast hosted by Kelce and his brother, former Eagles center Jason Kelce. (Jason made his own Baltimore appearance Monday, suiting up in a Marching Ravens uniform to play the saxophone at the game.) Swift recalled the “magical” moment of celebrating the Chiefs’ AFC Championship win on the field of the M&T Bank Stadium last year. “It’s one of my most cherished memories because I was so proud of you,” Swift told Travis Kelce. Related Articles Colorado’s best mountain towns for live music fans Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs now sober and humbled, his lawyers tell judge as they ask for lighter sentence 5 & Dine: 5 food trucks worth chasing after Baltimore County festival Willie Nelson and Neil Young highlight 40th Farm Aid concert Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, musicians reach 3-year agreement after strike authorization “The Alchemy” off her latest album, “The Tortured Poet’s Department,” is a love song seemingly inspired by her NFL love story and, possibly, the celebration in Baltimore. The song depicts the celebration of a win with a lots of football imagery. “Where’s the trophy? He just comes running over to me,” the bridge says. Have a news tip? Contact Abigail Olear at aolear@baltsun.com. View the full article

When Marlon Humphrey spoke with teammates about bringing the Ravens’ defense back to its historic prominence, this certainly wasn’t what he envisioned. Through three weeks, Baltimore’s defense has regressed more than any other unit in the NFL compared with last season, according to most major metrics. The Ravens’ success rate, third-down defense and expected points added (EPA) per play have significantly dropped. They’re last in the league in yards allowed, have surrendered the second-most points in the league and have given up the third-most rushing yards per game. And while last year’s unit also stumbled out of the gate, this season’s defensive start is far more concerning. The Ravens’ defense held offenses to a 42% success rate and 0.065 EPA per play through three weeks last season. This year, that number has jumped to 48.6% and 0.129 EPA per play, respectively. “I don’t think last week is who we are,” safety Kyle Hamilton said. It starts with the defensive line. Baltimore’s defense is getting bullied at the line of scrimmage, something fans are not accustomed to seeing. Opponents’ EPA per rush is at a whopping 0.14 per rushing play, according to RBSDM.com. That means, on average, every time the team runs the ball against the Ravens, it adds 0.14 expected points. Since 2016, the Ravens have never finished a season allowing a positive EPA per rush. Over that span, Baltimore leads the NFL by holding opponents to an average of minus-0.133 EPA per carry. Baltimore has faced two dominant rushing offenses, though. The Lions and Bills both are top-five rushing attacks so far this season. But Cleveland — averaging just 86.7 rushing yards per game, the fourth-lowest mark in the NFL — still found some success against the Ravens with 115 yards on 22 attempts. Not having Nnamdi Madubuike certainly hurts Baltimore’s rushing defense. But with his return looking more and more questionable, it doesn’t appear as though reinforcements are on the way in the immediate future. Hamilton said missed tackles are the biggest issue in the run defense. The Ravens have already surrendered 200 yards after contact this season — the most through three games in John Harbaugh’s 18 years as coach. “Just own the mistakes and look at it and try to find every detail of how we can be better,” defensive coordinator Zach Orr said. “Do we like it? No. Are we frustrated about it? Yes. But it’s about what we do going forward.” Screenshots from RBSDM.com But even when the Ravens force teams into third-down situations, they have struggled. Opponents are converting third downs nearly 45% of the time against Baltimore, its lowest mark over the past decade. A lack of pass rush certainly contributes to that. In the Week 3 loss to the Lions, quarterback Jared Goff was never sacked and rarely pressured. Bills quarterback Josh Allen had plenty of time in the pocket to dissect the Ravens’ secondary. Orr also said that stopping teams on third down starts with winning early downs. Baltimore ranks fifth-worst in the league in first and second-down success rate, allowing Detroit to consistently set up manageable third downs. Related Articles Ravens vs. Chiefs scouting report for Week 4: Who has the edge? Mike Preston: It’s put up or shut up time for Ravens’ defense | COMMENTARY Lamar Jackson vs. Patrick Mahomes is one-sided. The Ravens QB doesn’t care. Ravens Week 3 high school football Coaches of the Week Kyle Hamilton defends Zach Orr: ‘Ravens fans can be a little bit spoiled’ “You look at the second half [the Lions] weren’t in third-and-long. It’s tough to defend any offense when you’re living in third-and-short, third-and-medium,” Orr said. “You live in that type of world, especially against a good offense, they’re gonna make you pay.” Luckily for the Ravens, their schedule eases up after this week’s trip to Kansas City. They will face only two teams currently in the top 10 for scoring offense — the Vikings and Bears — over the next seven weeks. Hamilton said the “sky isn’t falling.” He defended Orr, saying “we’ve been through the fire before. We’re going through it again.” While he’s right that Baltimore’s season is far from over, the defense must quickly address the problems that have plagued it early on. If not, the Ravens won’t reach the heights they’ve set for themselves this year. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Jane at sjane@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Sam_Jane230. View the full article

Either the Ravens or Chiefs — two juggernauts of the AFC — will wake up Monday morning with a 1-3 record, a steep hill to climb but a long season to do it. Baltimore hasn’t won at Arrowhead Stadium in the Lamar Jackson era. Could Sunday be different? Who will have the advantage in this all-important Week 4 meeting? Ravens passing game vs. Chiefs pass defense Worries about the offensive line have suddenly trumped Jackson’s historic passing numbers. The Ravens megawatt quarterback has the best career passer rating in NFL history while leading the league in passing touchdowns (9) and yards per pass attempt (9.6). But him taking seven sacks against the Lions raises an eyebrow. Superman can’t always be Superman. Sometimes he needs to be Clark Kent, with a little help from the Justice League. It’s that much tougher when his average time to throw declined from second best in the NFL last year (2.92 seconds) to 11th (2.76), according to SumerSports. Jackson’s response to leading the league in scoring with a 1-2 record, on the back of an unreliable defense and shoddy offensive line play, was that they need to “put more points on the board.” Kansas City is a middle-of-the-pack team in most defensive categories. With losses to the Chargers and Eagles, the Chiefs haven’t appeared to be the dominant force they’ve been in their recent dynasty. But defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo knows how to make Jackson uncomfortable, pouring on man coverage and blitz packages that tend to force turnovers. That’s how mistakes, the kind that have plagued the Ravens’ offense this year, snowball. EDGE: Chiefs Chiefs passing game vs. Ravens pass defense Surprisingly, this might belong to Baltimore’s secondary. Not because they’ve inspired such overwhelming confidence — although Nate Wiggins and Chidobe Awuzie have both looked sharp at corner — but because there’s a dullness to Kansas City’s offense that few expected. If Mahomes isn’t pulling a rabbit out of a hat, the offense looks more like an overcast September evening — not quite warm enough and a bit of an uncomfortable watch. According to The Guardian, 65% of Mahomes’ throws this year have been below 10 yards and he’s getting rid of the ball a full half-second quicker than his career average. That opens the door for a confidence-boosting effort out of the Ravens’ secondary, which ranks 31st in net passing yards per game. They have one interception and haven’t walled up in the red zone. But Baltimore’s back end is far more talented than they’ve shown. As Kyle Hamilton said Monday night, and again Thursday afternoon, “the sky isn’t falling.” It’s not a philosophy issue or personnel issue like it was last year. “I think it hurts a little more when you come out like that and it’s not characteristic,” he said. A vulnerable Kansas City passing attack might be just what the Ravens need. EDGE: Ravens Ravens running game vs. Chiefs run defense Since joining the Ravens, there have been times when Derrick Henry looks upset (like after any tough loss) and there have been times where he’s all smiles (remember when he eviscerated the Bills in Week 4 last year?). Monday night might have been the first time he faced the cameras so distraught. Never in his Hall-of-Fame-worthy career has Henry fumbled the ball so frequently. Embarrassed to even have the discussion, he has apologized profusely and promised to make the necessary corrections. Even if he holds the ball “high and tight,” the Chiefs haven’t allowed any running back this year go for more than 88 yards. Saquon Barkley, who rushed for 2,000 yards last year, couldn’t break off a run for more than 13 yards with 22 chances. Henry hasn’t bludgeoned an opposing offense since Week 1 in Buffalo, and even then he let the ball touch the ground in a crucial spot. Sunday might not be the one to ease his pain, but Henry knows as well as anyone how important the matchup is: “It is a huge game. … You live for big games like that.” EDGE: Chiefs Chiefs running game vs. Ravens run defense Unsurprisingly, the Chiefs’ ground game starts with Mahomes, who leads the league in quarterback rushing yards (125). The three-time Super Bowl champion is averaging 6.9 yards per carry, the highest mark of his career. That, plus the complementary contributions of running backs Isaiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt, is the challenge that lies ahead for a beat-up Ravens front. All-Pro Nnamdi Madubuike is out with a neck injury, fellow starting defensive tackle Travis Jones is dinged up (he was limited during Thursday’s practice), next man up Broderick Washington hasn’t practiced this week and veteran outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy is still on the shelf with a hamstring injury. The Chiefs don’t pose the same ground power as the Lions, who gashed Baltimore for more than 220 yards on the ground thanks to Sonic and Knuckles. But Mahomes and company could make life difficult for a reeling defense. EDGE: Chiefs Related Articles The Ravens’ defense is struggling. Advanced stats paint an ugly picture. Mike Preston: It’s put up or shut up time for Ravens’ defense | COMMENTARY Lamar Jackson vs. Patrick Mahomes is one-sided. The Ravens QB doesn’t care. Ravens Week 3 high school football Coaches of the Week Kyle Hamilton defends Zach Orr: ‘Ravens fans can be a little bit spoiled’ Ravens special teams vs. Chiefs special teams Kansas City’s Harrison Butker isn’t the world beater he has been in recent years. In nine field goal attempts, Butker has a miss from 40 yards and 50-plus. Butker also two extra point misses, tied for most in the NFL. Tyler Loop, on the other hand, is a perfect 5-for-5 on field goal attempts with one missed extra point try. The Ravens rookie’s biggest hitch this season has been his league-leading penalties on kickoffs — an experiment with the new rule that has assisted in three touchdowns for opposing teams. If this game comes down to the battle of the kickers, between a rookie or the vet, a three-week sample size favors Loop. EDGE: Ravens Ravens intangibles vs. Chiefs intangibles Consider this: The Jackson-led Ravens are 1-5 against the Chiefs and have never beat this decade’s dynasty in Kansas City. In those games, Jackson’s completion rate (57.3%) and passer rating (80.7) plummet from his career averages of 65.1% and 103.1. Jackson’s touchdown-to-turnover ratio is 9 to 7. For his career, the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player has thrown more than three times as many touchdowns as he has interceptions. Jackson has thrown nine touchdown passes this season without a single interception. No defense tends to keep the mystifying scrambler in check like Kansas City. In this star-studded quarterback battle, it’s more likely Mahomes has a field day opposite the Ravens’ defense than Jackson does versus Spagnuolo’s brain child. “It will be a great test for us,” Mahomes told reporters, “to go up against a team that’s going to be as hungry as we are.” EDGE: Chiefs Prediction Neither team has lived up to their stratospheric expectations, with both below .500 in desperate need of a respectable win. Based on the history between these teams, the propensity for Spagnuolo to keep Jackson guessing and how downtrodden Baltimore’s defense is going into Arrowhead Stadium, expect the Chiefs to edge this one out. As has been the case with every Ravens game this season, it should be a high-scoring affair. The Ravens lead the league with 37 points per game, but they’ve also allowed the second most points (32). Mahomes’ eyes are as wide as they’ve been all season. Chiefs 31, Ravens 24. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

If the Ravens don’t improve their run defense, they won’t go deep into the postseason. It’s really that simple. The Detroit Lions showed that Monday night in their 38-30 win against Baltimore. With a dominant running game that produced 224 yards on 38 carries, the Lions had a seven-minute advantage in time of possession and kept quarterback Lamar Jackson and his high-powered offense off the field. Detroit also had touchdown drives of 67, 98, 60, 96 and 70 yards. The 98-yard march at the end of the first quarter lasted more than 10 minutes. Ouch. It was tough to watch, and even more painful for the Ravens’ defensive line and inside linebackers. Not since John Harbaugh became the coach in 2008 has a Ravens team been so dominated on both sides of the ball. “There’s a lot of really simple things that we didn’t do very well at times,” Harbaugh said. “We’ll have the same play, really against the same defense, two different times, and one time it’s no gain, because we’re pretty much exactly where we’re supposed to be, and another time we’re not where we’re supposed to be. Part of it is just trying to do too much sometimes. Sometimes we try to do more than our job, and that’s not really required. “Playing with a little more calmness and belief in the whole structure and the 10 guys around you, and then also tackling in the back end; that’s the other thing. Those runs, they shouldn’t go to what they did. Those runs should be tackled [after] 8 to 10 yards if they break through the line, and we’re focusing on that as well.” The Ravens play Kansas City on Sunday and Chiefs coach Andy Reid has to be looking at the Ravens’ past three games and licking his chops. Kansas City’s offensive line isn’t as powerful as Detroit’s, but the Chiefs have a featured running back in Isiah Pacheco and Kansas City is averaging 108.7 rushing yards per game. So, let’s be honest: Pacheco and backup Kareem Hunt will test the Ravens, who are ranked No. 30 in run defense allowing 149 yards per game. That’s an absurd amount. You can’t win in the NFL like that. Actually, you can’t win in recreation, Pop Warner, high school, semi-pro or the Canadian Football League in that fashion. In football, first down is the most important of them all, so the Ravens might want to stack the line of scrimmage and also swallow a bunch of mean pills. Why not add safety Kyle Hamilton or nickel back Marlon Humphrey in the box? At least try something. Almost anything. Ravens nose tackle John Jenkins pushes past Josh Tupou during practice. Baltimore added Tupou to the practice squad this week to bolster its defensive line. (Surya Vaidy/Staff) The Ravens tried several different combinations against the Lions, but they weren’t the Browns. Cleveland does a good job of loading up with six players near the line of scrimmage, but it also has mobile linebackers and two strong cornerbacks in Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II. The Ravens have Nate Wiggins at cornerback and … well, Nate Wiggins. What’s really missing is a defensive end with a strong motor like Myles Garrett or Aidan Hutchinson, players who are relentless in pursuit while chasing down runners to the other side of the field. The Ravens have been missing end Nnamdi Madubuike, who has been out for the past two weeks with a neck injury, but please don’t mistake him for Reggie White or Mean Joe Greene, two tackles who could devour offensive linemen and ball carriers at the same time in the middle of the field. Even with Madubuike in the lineup, the Ravens allowed a lot of rushing yards. They gave up 147 in the 27-25 playoff loss to the Bills last January. Besides Detroit, even Cleveland rushed for 115 yards on 22 carries in a 41-17 loss to Baltimore. One of Harbaugh’s strengths is his ability to rally his team after a tough loss. There is probably some doubt around The Castle as well about second-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr. But maybe both Orr and Harbaugh need to challenge the players. It isn’t always about schemes, but being more physical. Tackle Travis Jones is playing for a new contract extension but had only one tackle against the Lions. Outside linebackers Tavius Robinson and Odafe Oweh combined for five, but a lot of those were off the line of scrimmage. Where was middle linebacker Roquan Smith? A week ago, he had 15 tackles against the Browns’ weak offensive line. He had seven versus Detroit, but he was a no-show. If you look back at some of the best defenses in NFL history, they all had great middle linebackers like Mike Singletary with the 1985 Chicago Bears or Ray Lewis with the 2000 Ravens. Even though the NFL has become a pass-happy league, the middle linebacker still has to be able to shock and shed. It’s old school, but still appropriate. Smith didn’t do either against Detroit. It’s true that the Ravens don’t have a dominant pass rusher, but stopping the run is a priority because it sets up the play-action and deep passing game. If you don’t believe that, ask Jackson, who was sacked seven times by the Lions while halfback Derrick Henry rushed only 12 times for 50 yards. Related Articles The Ravens’ defense is struggling. Advanced stats paint an ugly picture. Ravens vs. Chiefs scouting report for Week 4: Who has the edge? Lamar Jackson vs. Patrick Mahomes is one-sided. The Ravens QB doesn’t care. Ravens Week 3 high school football Coaches of the Week Kyle Hamilton defends Zach Orr: ‘Ravens fans can be a little bit spoiled’ Jackson and this offense have to be on the field as much as possible. You do that by not allowing 4.9 yards a carry. You do that by not allowing 447 rushing yards in three games and holding the opposition to second- and third-and-long as much as possible. These defensive players talked in the offseason about forcing turnovers and returning this franchise to its glory years when the Ravens had perhaps the best defense ever in 2000. “It’s a combination of us not doing our jobs,” Orr said. “We got to play better, I got to coach better. It wasn’t one particular person, one particular group, it was guys with a mis-step or a slow step in certain areas, on certain plays. “But what has happened has happened. Are we frustrated? Yes, but what are we going to do about it?” It starts with shutting down the run, something this group has failed to do since the end of last season. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

Lamar Jackson vs. Patrick Mahomes. It is, contextually, at least adjacent to some of the greatest one-on-one showdowns across the history of the sporting landscape, from Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier to Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal to Arnold Palmer vs. Jack Nicklaus. The biggest difference, of course, is that the two quarterbacks play a team sport, with the Ravens traveling to Arrowhead Stadium to face the defending AFC champion and nemesis Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday afternoon for a blockbuster but also critical showdown. Both teams enter the contest 1-2 with questions over identity and wherewithal in what is still a young NFL season yet to reach the quarter pole. For the Chiefs, an uneasiness has percolated over a struggling offense, which ranks 17th in the league, just behind the Las Vegas Raiders and just ahead of the Seattle Seahawks. The impending return of speedy second-year wideout Xavier Worthy from injury this week and the currently suspended Rashee Rice in a few more should assuage at least some of those concerns. For Baltimore, the disquietude is a bit more penetrating. Whether it has been a leaky defense, a spate of significant injuries or an atypical string of fumbles by future Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Derrick Henry, the start to what is expected to be a Super Bowl contending year has gotten off to a shaky beginning. Still, none of that diminishes the fact that two generational players will be going mano a mano for the seventh time in their careers in an electric setting, with each hoping to lead his team to an all-important win. Aside from the obvious difference between the two men being three Super Bowl titles for Mahomes and nary even an appearance in the season’s final game for Jackson, the Ravens are just 1-5 (including playoffs) against the Chiefs during Jackson’s tenure. That includes an 0-3 mark at Arrowhead. The difference in performance between the two players in the one-sided rivalry is just as stark as the record. In those six contests, Jackson, a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player, has been reduced to 204.4 passing yards per game (though he has managed 71.4 rushing) and nine total touchdowns against seven turnovers. By comparison, Mahomes, also a two-time league MVP and three-time Super Bowl MVP, has averaged 344 passing yards, a 72.7% completion rate, 50 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns against just three turnovers. Not that Jackson has any particular interest in previous iterations. “It’s in the past,” he said Wednesday. “You can’t bring what happened back whenever to this year.” This year, Jackson has been his mostly elite self. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws the ball away under pressure from former Ravens edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney in the 2023 AFC Championship. Mahomes is 5-1 against Lamar Jackson's Ravens in his career. (Staff file) He leads in the NFL in passer rating (141.8), touchdown passes (nine) and yards per completion (9.6). Consequently, Baltimore leads the league in points per game (37), which includes two outbursts of at least 40 points, though the Ravens have struggled in the red zone (54.5%), ranking just 17th. This is not lost on a Chiefs defense that ranks 11th in yards allowed per game (297) but has been more vulnerable against the run (114), ranking 18th. “Any play in the game, he can change the dynamic of it,” Kansas City’s star edge rusher Chris Jones said of Jackson this week. “Trying to stop Lamar is one thing. Trying to contain him is another. … I think he should’ve won MVP last year. I’ve got so much respect for him.” Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has also had answers. “[They] play Cover 0, Cover 6 sometimes, quarters, invert [Cover] 2,” Jackson said. “They do it all, but we just have to execute, stay positive and ahead of the sticks, get first downs [and] put points on the board.” That was easier said than done this past Monday night against the Detroit Lions, who deployed a spy on Jackson and used a series of stunts to sack him seven times, tying a career high. Against the Chiefs, Jackson has just an 80.7 career passer rating, well below his NFL-best career mark of 103.1. He has also been sacked 11 times in those games. “It’s a little bit more of a controlled rush,” Spagnuolo told reporters this week. “When trying to tackle and sack [Lamar] he’s so elusive, that if you are out of control, you aren’t going to get him because he knows how to side step you and has a great stiff arm.” Mahomes this season, meanwhile, has gotten off to a slower start. He has completed just 59% of his passes for 669 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. He has, however, run for 125 yards to lead all quarterbacks. Related Articles The Ravens’ defense is struggling. Advanced stats paint an ugly picture. Ravens vs. Chiefs scouting report for Week 4: Who has the edge? Mike Preston: It’s put up or shut up time for Ravens’ defense | COMMENTARY Ravens Week 3 high school football Coaches of the Week Kyle Hamilton defends Zach Orr: ‘Ravens fans can be a little bit spoiled’ “Has he evolved? It seems like he’s always been great,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “I can’t remember a time that he wasn’t Patrick Mahomes. He’s the same quarterback to me. “When you try to defend him, it’s the same issues. He’s just capable of making incredible plays. I think they build the offense around him really well. It’s also a well-principled offense, in terms of just fundamental football and all that. It’s built for the quarterback, and the quarterback operates really well in it. Obviously, he’s just talented and makes a bunch of plays, and we’re going to have to deal with it.” There’s history that the loser of this game will have to deal with, too. No team has reached the Super Bowl after starting 1-3 since the 2001 New England Patriots. Barring a tie, the Ravens or Chiefs will be faced with trying to overcome that steep climb come Sunday night. But Jackson isn’t concerned with slow starts from previous years. “I don’t really care about what happened in the past,” he said. “I’ll be mad about the situation — don’t get me wrong — when it happens, but we’ve got to get ready for the Chiefs. We can’t dwell on old history. We have to worry about what’s going on now.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Each week during the high school football season, The Baltimore Sun and the Baltimore Ravens will select one tackle football and one girls flag football Coach of the Week. Here are the winners for Week 3: Tackle football Collin Delauter, Middletown: Delauter leads a strong Frederick County program in Middletown with a rich tradition. The Knights improved to 3-0 and earned their first win over Oakdale since 2021 behind a stout defense that is allowing just nine points per game. They’ll take on Frederick on Friday as they look to stay unbeaten. Girls flag football Justin Marshall, Gov. Thomas Johnson: Under Marshall, who is in his third season, the Patriots are 3-1 and have outscored opponents 97-6 amid their three-game winning streak. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. Related Articles The Ravens’ defense is struggling. Advanced stats paint an ugly picture. Ravens vs. Chiefs scouting report for Week 4: Who has the edge? Mike Preston: It’s put up or shut up time for Ravens’ defense | COMMENTARY Lamar Jackson vs. Patrick Mahomes is one-sided. The Ravens QB doesn’t care. Kyle Hamilton defends Zach Orr: ‘Ravens fans can be a little bit spoiled’ View the full article

Through the first three games of the NFL season, the Ravens have fielded one of the worst defenses in the league. Baltimore is ranked second-to-last in points allowed per game (32) and last in yards allowed per game (415). Just two seasons ago, with much of the same personnel, the Ravens became the first team to win the defensive triple crown, leading the league in sacks, takeaways and points allowed. Much of the criticism from outside the building has fallen to defensive coordinator Zach Orr, who is in just his second year calling a defense at any level. But to put it all on the 33-year-old former Ravens linebacker, safety Kyle Hamilton said, isn’t fair. “Whatever criticism he’s getting, I don’t know, sometimes I feel like Ravens fans can be a little bit spoiled [with] just the amount of success that this franchise has had,” the All-Pro said. “We lose five games and the world’s about to end. “It’s unfair to put all the blame on him when there’s 11 guys out there on the field that are playing their hearts off and he’s put us in the right positions. It’s just a matter of us doing the right stuff.” So far, it’s gone wrong in several and unusual ways. After ranking first in red zone defense last season, the Ravens are 28th this season, allowing opponents to score a touchdown 78.57% of the time. After ranking first in run defense in 2024, allowing 80.1 yards per game, they are 30th this year, allowing 149 rushing yards per game. That included a backbreaking 224 in a 38-30 loss at home to the Detroit Lions on Monday night. “I don’t think last game is who we are,” said Hamilton, who pointed to a lack of tackling and physicality. “It hurts a little more when you come out like that.” Injuries have played a factor, too. Baltimore is without Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) for the foreseeable future. Pro Bowl outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy (hamstring) also missed Monday night’s game. There have been other problems, though, too. Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr speaks with media before the team's Week 3 loss to the Lions. Orr's defense allowed 38 points and 224 rushing yards in a loss to Detroit. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Orr acknowledged that the loss to the Lions was a combination of scheme and putting players in position to succeed and execution. He also acknowledged that coach John Harbaugh saying that the defense was at times trying to do too much was a fair assessment. With a short week, Orr added that he can’t afford to dwell on it. On Wednesday, coaches packed two days of work into one, spending the first half of the day reviewing film from the Lions game to “get stuff right” and the second half of the day focused on this week’s opponent, the Chiefs, who are 5-1 against the Ravens (including playoffs) during quarterback Lamar Jackson’s tenure. That includes a perfect 3-0 mark at Arrowhead Stadium. “What’s happened has happened. Nothing we can change about it,” Orr said, adding that not being on social media has helped him block out outside criticism. “Do we like it? No. Are we frustrated about it? Yes. But it’s about what we do going forward. Can’t change the past and adversity is gonna hit. Unfortunately, it’s hit us again in this aspect. But what are we gonna do about it? You either sulk and let it get you down and lay in it, or you pick yourself up and figure it out.” Related Articles Ravens injury report: Defensive line gets some good news Staff picks for Week 4 of 2025 NFL season: Eagles vs. Buccaneers, Packers vs. Cowboys and more Why does Ravens’ Tyler Loop keep getting penalized for kickoffs? Ravens’ pass rush is missing, and Chiefs’ Mahomes is waiting | COMMENTARY Ravens’ Derrick Henry: ‘Working as hard as I can’ to fix fumble issues It’s also a familiar position. Last year, the Ravens began the season 1-2 and went on to win the AFC North. The road to recovery is even harder now, though, at least in the short term with the Chiefs on Sunday and a game against the Los Angeles Rams, a playoff team from last season, two weeks later at M&T Bank Stadium. “I feel like we’ve given ourselves the hardest path these past couple years,” Hamilton said. “But we ended up in a good spot last year. I feel like if we get it corrected even sooner this year, we’ll be in a better spot. “The sky’s not falling, so we’ll be alright.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The Ravens’ banged-up defense got some good news Thursday. Defensive tackle Travis Jones returned to practice after missing Wednesday’s walk-through with a knee injury. Meanwhile, outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy was running on a side field during the portion open to the media. Van Noy hasn’t practiced since injuring his hamstring in a Week 2 win over the Cleveland Browns. Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (neck), fullback Patrick Ricard (calf), left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) and Broderick Washington (ankle) were absent for the second straight day. Madubuike has already been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs by coach John Harbaugh. The Ravens bolstered their banged-up defensive line Wednesday by signing Taven Bryan and Josh Tupou to the practice squad. Harbaugh said Wednesday that Jones and Washington are “nursing some things” and was optimistic about them being available Sunday. The official injury report will be released later this afternoon. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

Baltimore Sun staff writers and FOX45’s Patrice Sanders pick every game of the NFL season. Here’s who they have winning in Week 4: Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals (Thursday, 8:15 p.m.) Brian Wacker (10-6 last week, 34-14 overall): Seahawks Sam Cohn (10-6 last week, 36-12 overall): Seahawks Mike Preston (12-4 last week, 35-13 overall): Cardinals Josh Tolentino (13-3 last week, 36-12 overall): Seahawks C.J. Doon (10-6 last week, 32-16 overall): Seahawks Bennett Conlin (8-8 last week, 32-16 overall): Seahawks Tim Schwartz (8-8 last week, 31-17 overall): Seahawks Patrice Sanders (10-6 last week, 32-16 overall): Seahawks Minnesota Vikings vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, 9:30 a.m.) Wacker: Steelers Cohn: Steelers Preston: Steelers Tolentino: Steelers Doon: Vikings Conlin: Vikings Schwartz: Steelers Sanders: Vikings Washington Commanders at Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Commanders Cohn: Commanders Preston: Commanders Tolentino: Commanders Doon: Commanders Conlin: Commanders Schwartz: Commanders Sanders: Commanders New Orleans Saints at Buffalo Bills (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Bills Cohn: Bills Preston: Bills Tolentino: Bills Doon: Bills Conlin: Bills Schwartz: Bills Sanders: Bills Cleveland Browns at Detroit Lions (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Lions Cohn: Lions Preston: Lions Tolentino: Lions Doon: Lions Conlin: Lions Schwartz: Lions Sanders: Lions Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Texans Cohn: Texans Preston: Texans Tolentino: Texans Doon: Texans Conlin: Texans Schwartz: Texans Sanders: Texans Carolina Panthers at New England Patriots (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Patriots Cohn: Patriots Preston: Patriots Tolentino: Patriots Doon: Patriots Conlin: Patriots Schwartz: Patriots Sanders: Patriots Los Angeles Chargers at New York Giants (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Chargers Cohn: Chargers Preston: Chargers Tolentino: Chargers Doon: Chargers Conlin: Chargers Schwartz: Chargers Sanders: Chargers Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Eagles Cohn: Buccaneers Preston: Eagles Tolentino: Buccaneers Doon: Eagles Conlin: Eagles Schwartz: Buccaneers Sanders: Buccaneers Indianapolis Colts at Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 4:05 p.m.) Wacker: Rams Cohn: Rams Preston: Rams Tolentino: Rams Doon: Colts Conlin: Rams Schwartz: Colts Sanders: Rams Jacksonville Jaguars at San Francisco 49ers (Sunday, 4:05 p.m.) Wacker: 49ers Cohn: Jaguars Preston: 49ers Tolentino: 49ers Doon: 49ers Conlin: 49ers Schwartz: 49ers Sanders: 49ers Chicago Bears at Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, 4:25 p.m.) Wacker: Bears Cohn: Bears Preston: Bears Tolentino: Bears Doon: Bears Conlin: Bears Schwartz: Bears Sanders: Bears Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys (Sunday, 8:20 p.m.) Wacker: Packers Cohn: Packers Preston: Packers Tolentino: Packers Doon: Packers Conlin: Packers Schwartz: Packers Sanders: Packers New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (Monday, 7:15 p.m.) Wacker: Dolphins Cohn: Jets Preston: Dolphins Tolentino: Dolphins Doon: Jets Conlin: Jets Schwartz: Jets Sanders: Dolphins Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos (Monday, 8:15 p.m.) Wacker: Broncos Cohn: Broncos Preston: Broncos Tolentino: Broncos Doon: Broncos Conlin: Broncos Schwartz: Broncos Sanders: Broncos Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. View the full article

In late 2023, NFL executive vice president of officiating Troy Vincent infamously called kickoffs a “dead, ceremonial play.” The league has spent the past two years trying to resuscitate it. Enter dynamic kickoffs and the “landing zone.” No NFL kicker has struggled more with the changes than Ravens rookie Tyler Loop, who, when asked about it, didn’t seem overly concerned. Start with the rules: Any kickoff that drops between the goal line and the 20-yard line must be returned. Kickoffs that hit within the landing zone and then are downed in the end zone award the offense the ball at the 20-yard line. A ball landing in the end zone for a touchback puts the receiving team at the 35. And anything shy of the 20-yard landing zone gifts the opposing offense a drive starting at the 40-yard line. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said that it will bring kickoffs back to a “relevant play,” and Ravens coach John Harbaugh argued that it’s “better than 12 touchbacks a game.” Of the 32 NFL teams, 24 haven’t had any issues adjusting. Seven have been flagged for one kick short of the landing zone this season. Loop leads the league with three in three games and a fourth penalty for a kick that dribbled out of bounds, which he took onus for and Harbaugh insisted “shouldn’t happen.” “I wouldn’t say it’s annoying or frustrating,” Loop said, specifically of the landing zone flags. “It’s a learning curve.” Loop explained his high penalty count as the special teamers in Baltimore experiment with how to best approach the new play. Those kicks that look like a screwball, he said, “we call them dirty balls.” By hitting the ground early with an unpredictable bounce, kickers can maybe delay the returner’s start and pin an offense back even farther. Easier said than done. “You’re trying to hit an oblong ball in a way that it rotates funny,” Loop said, “it’s hard to have a consistent rotation on it.” League-wide touchback rates nosedived from 65.5% last season to below 20% in 2025. It’s created much more variability for both sides of the play. Loop’s specialty is his strong leg, which would have been perfect for the days when kickers could mindlessly boom it through the back of the end zone. Now, “hang time’s irrelevant and distance is irrelevant,” Bills kicker Matt Prater told reporters. “So for young strong guys, I think it takes away their strengths.” Three of Loop’s four penalized kicks have resulted in touchdown drives for the other team: twice in Buffalo and once versus Detroit. The short kickoff against Cleveland was turned around by Nate Wiggins’ interception. Related Articles Staff picks for Week 4 of 2025 NFL season: Eagles vs. Buccaneers, Packers vs. Cowboys and more Ravens’ pass rush is missing, and Chiefs’ Mahomes is waiting | COMMENTARY Ravens’ Derrick Henry: ‘Working as hard as I can’ to fix fumble issues Ravens ‘concerned’ as Nnamdi Madubuike is ruled out again with neck injury Ravens injury report: 4 key defenders among long list of absences “I think we’ll be able to get those out of our system pretty quickly,” Ravens special teams coordinator Chris Horton said. He agreed that anything shy of the landing zone this early in the season they’re deeming “experimental kicks.” Take the two kicks versus Cleveland, for example. The first landed at the Browns’ 21-yard line, 36 inches from the landing zone. Two quarters later, Loop’s attempt touched down at the 9-yard line, then skipped out of bounds. But the swing mechanics — Horton said that Loop knows what he’s trying before leaving the sideline — were the same on both attempts. One just died down earlier. The whole calculus of a kickoff changed with the new rule. As Harbaugh put it, teams have more incentive to put the ball on the ground and try to get it to wiggle to the corner. Either that or “make it bounce” so that the kicking team gets a head start. The alternative, which has plagued the Ravens more than any other team, is a mistake that puts the opposing offense near midfield, one chunk play from field goal range. “We’re trying a lot of new things trying to figure that out,” Loop said. “But the one thing we did talk about is like, if we’re trying that and it goes 1 or 2 yards in the end zone or 2 yards short of the landing zone, it’s kind of the cost of doing business.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

The Ravens will walk into Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday carrying a problem that could define their season. Baltimore’s pass rush is missing in action. The NFL’s worst-ranked defense’s next assignment: Patrick Mahomes. Just a few days ago, Detroit’s Jared Goff stood tall without taking a single sack or even much pressure. The Ravens’ battered front barely forced him to shuffle his feet. If Baltimore couldn’t rattle Goff, how will it disrupt one of the most gifted quarterbacks in league history? “We’ll be OK,” coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday. “I’m not worried about our defense. Bitterly disappointed, sure. But we will be ready to play. I promise you.” Kansas City will demand more than reassurance. The absences of top pressure producers Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) and Kyle Van Noy (hamstring) didn’t help against the Lions. But there’s no time to feel sorry for this group because the attrition keeps piling up. On Wednesday, the entire starting interior defensive line, featuring Madubuike, Broderick Washington (ankle) and Travis Jones (knee), plus Van Noy, missed a walk-through practice with injuries. Here’s the crueler truth: the Ravens haven’t even earned the right to rush the passer. Through three weeks they own the league’s worst-ranked defense, surrendering a staggering 415 yards per game. Coordinator Zach Orr’s unit ranks 31st in pass defense (266.3 yards) and 30th in run defense (149). Until Baltimore proves it can stop getting gashed, the Ravens’ pass rush will remain nonexistent. That’s a dangerous formula against Mahomes, the three-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player and two-time NFL MVP. History shows that the only reliable way to beat the Chiefs is to make him uncomfortable. The Eagles gave the league a blueprint in Super Bowl LIX, when wave after wave of rushers forced Mahomes to hurry, hit him repeatedly and dictated tempo. Mahomes suffered a career-high six sacks in the 40-22 defeat. Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs runs away from Ravens outside linebacker Mike Green to score a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter of a 38-30 Lions win. The Ravens' inability to stop the run has been a glaring issue to start the season. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Championship defenses often share that DNA, the ability to create consistent and effective pressure with four rushers. The Ravens, a hyped group that entered the season as favorites to win the Super Bowl, are nowhere near that level right now. These early stumbles only tighten the race for the AFC’s top seed, the golden ticket to a first-round bye and home-field advantage at M&T Bank Stadium. However, the path grows steeper with each loss, and falling to 1-3 would leave Baltimore chasing before the calendar reaches October. On paper, Baltimore has a better-equipped roster than Kansas City. The Ravens opening as 3 1/2-point betting favorites in the Week 4 matchup underscored that belief. But to have a chance Sunday at Arrowhead, Baltimore needs to stop the run and squeeze the pocket with its defensive front. With their leaders sidelined, the remaining defensive line cast is still searching for an answer. Odafe Oweh remains a flash player. Tavius Robinson displays power but struggles with consistency. Rookie Mike Green showed plenty of promise in the preseason, but his 3.1% pass-rush win rate leaves much to be desired. “It’s a matter of doing our job on early downs and getting penetration,” said Robinson, the only defender aside from Madubuike with a sack this season. “There’s a lot of stuff we can fix, a lot of stuff we watched on the film and will fix.” The Ravens understand that they can’t simply hope Lamar Jackson wins a shootout against Mahomes. Jackson has played well enough to keep Baltimore competitive, but without takeaways or short fields created by pressure, this ongoing dilemma will linger far beyond Kansas City. The team’s disappointing start to the season already proves it doesn’t matter how electric Jackson and the offense is. The Ravens have scored 111 points, the highest total through three games by a team with a losing record, according to ESPN. Related Articles Staff picks for Week 4 of 2025 NFL season: Eagles vs. Buccaneers, Packers vs. Cowboys and more Why does Ravens’ Tyler Loop keep getting penalized for kickoffs? Ravens’ Derrick Henry: ‘Working as hard as I can’ to fix fumble issues Ravens ‘concerned’ as Nnamdi Madubuike is ruled out again with neck injury Ravens injury report: 4 key defenders among long list of absences Mahomes knows both sides of the equation. He’s dropped big games when defenses frequented the backfield and he’s shredded others when he has plenty of time to operate in the pocket and blitzes become predictable. If the Ravens can’t frequently move Mahomes off his spot, it could be a long day for the visitors, who own a 1-5 record over the past six meetings. Lombardi Trophies belong to the teams that punish quarterbacks. During both of the Ravens’ Super Bowl seasons, they ranked in the top half of the league in sacks with 45 in 2001 and 40 in 2013. After Baltimore’s no-show against Detroit, the Ravens are on pace for just 17 sacks this season. Yikes. Until Baltimore proves it can stop the run, earn the right to hunt the passer and frequently create pressure, the ceiling on this season, including any shot at the AFC’s No. 1 seed, will remain out of reach. Have a news tip? Contact Josh Tolentino at jtolentino@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/JCTSports and instagram.com/JCTSports. View the full article

Pick the negative emotion and Ravens running back Derrick Henry is feeling it right now. Mostly, though, the three-time All-Pro is still annoyed 48 hours removed from his third fumble of the season in as many games. “I’m still pissed off, mad at myself,” he said Wednesday. “I’m my own worst critic, so I don’t try to harp on it too much. I talked to my family, the people that I get advice from, my teammates, lean on them. “But at the same time it’s a problem that gotta get fixed, so I’m working on it. I’m working as hard as I can to let this issue be resolved.” On Monday night against the Detroit Lions, with Baltimore trailing 28-24 in the fourth quarter, Henry had the ball ripped from behind by Pro Bowl defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Cornerback D.J. Reed recovered at the Ravens’ 16-yard line, setting up a critical field goal in what would eventually be another disheartening loss for Baltimore. The defeat leaves the Ravens at 1-2 on the season with a trip to Arrowhead Stadium to face the reigning AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs, who are also 1-2 but 4-1 against Baltimore with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback. Just as concerning, though, to the Ravens and to Henry, are the back’s foibles when trying to hold onto the ball. Henry, 31, fumbled three times in 17 games last season for Baltimore en route to 1,921 yards and 16 touchdowns on 325 carries in his first season with the Ravens. The year before, with the Tennessee Titans, he did not fumble at all. Coming into 2025, he had just 20 career fumbles on 2,529 total touches and through three games has already coughed it up three times on just 43 carries. “I feel like I’m letting my teammates down,” he said Wednesday. How does he plan to fix the problem? “It’s embarrassing for me to be talking about this, because I am having this issue, but you have to hold the ball high and tight to keep it away from the defense [and] keep it away from the defender so you keep the ball,” he said. “We have a thing we call ‘Raven claw’ around here to have another arm around it, to keep it protected and keep the defense from getting to it. “I just have to keep doing that in practice and let it transition to the game. But just know I’m working. I’m working, and it’s rough right now, but it’s going to come back around, I promise you.” Ravens running back Derrick Henry steps over pads while coaches swipe at the ball during practice. Henry said it was "embarrassing" for him to be talking about his fumbles. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Those around Henry aren’t concerned about his ability to fix the glitch. “He is very, very accountable,” coach John Harbaugh said. “When somebody cares so much about what they’re doing and so accomplished and so talented and so good and work so hard, as a coach you just can’t worry about that. “I’m not worried about Derrick Henry at all.” Neither is the guy handing him the ball, quarterback Lamar Jackson, who consoled an angry Henry after the running back slammed his helmet to the bench in frustration on Monday night. “Once you feel like you are a part of something — it might be a loss, or you felt like you did something wrong — you’re going to always put the blame on yourself,” Jackson said. “We still could have executed and made something happen. We can’t fault him for that. Players mess up.” When Henry has held onto the ball, he has run well for the most part. Related Articles Ravens ‘concerned’ as Nnamdi Madubuike is ruled out again with neck injury Ravens injury report: 4 key defenders among long list of absences Jason Kelce shows off musical roots in Ravens pregame performance Ravens sign 2 defensive linemen in light of Nnamdi Madubuike injury Watch ‘Overtime’ of Ep. 5 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law In a Week 1 loss to the Buffalo Bills in which the Ravens blew a 15-point fourth-quarter lead, he rushed for 169 yards and two touchdowns on just 18 carries. A week later in a victory over the Cleveland Browns, he was held to just 23 yards on 11 carries. In Week 3, the Lions held him to 50 yards and one score on 12 carries, but he averaged a respectable 4.2 yards. The one thing all three games had in common, of course, were fumbles. Now comes a showdown with the Chiefs, who have been Jackson’s “kryptonite” during his tenure in Baltimore. It’s a “huge” game, Henry said, given the Ravens’ slow start to the season. He’s also motivated to put his fumbling follies behind him. “When stuff like that happens, I feel like the week goes by slower,” he said. “You’re just waiting and itching for another opportunity.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article