Week 14 Game Recap: Baltimore Ravens 20, Kansas City Chiefs 10

What you need to know

Baltimore Ravens

After hitting a speed bump last week in Cincinnati, the Ravens were back to their winning ways. Coming into Kansas City and handling the Chiefs, the Ravens now lead their division and are looking strong for the league playoffs. They are now tied with the Colts for the second best record in the AFC.

The Ravens’ offense started off slow as Kansas City’s defense was able to limit them despite errors from the Chiefs’ offense. On a huge play in the third quarter, quarterback Steve McNair and receiver Mark Clayton hooked up on an 87 yard pass for a touchdown. It was a blown coverage by the Chiefs. With the patience and vision of a seasoned veteran, McNair recognized it and took advantage. That marked the defining moment of the game. The Ravens prevented the Chiefs from ever mounting a serious challenge to their lead again.

McNair had a very good game for the 10-3 Ravens. He picked apart the Chiefs’ secondary for 287 yards while completing 21 out of 27 passes. His superior elusiveness in the pocket held back the Chiefs’ attempts at blitzes and any hope for an intimidating pass rush. Jamal Lewis had to work hard to grind out his yardage but did finish with 81 yards on the ground and one touchdown. Kicker Matt Stover recorded his 400th successful career field goal during the game. He later added on another three pointer for good measure.

Give the Ravens’ defense a lot of credit for this victory. They forced Trent Green into three turnovers and only allowed one late meaningless touchdown. While constantly harassing Green, they sacked him five times. Ed Reed picked off two of Green’s throws. The Ravens consistently prevented the Chiefs from maintaining a sustained attack on offense.

With one of the top two defenses in the league and the wily Steve McNair leading the offense, the Ravens should be considered one of the favorite teams to head deep into the playoffs.

Kansas City Chiefs

Just two weeks ago, Kansas City was a favorite and was holding one of the wild card spots for the playoffs. Now they find themselves in a difficult position where every week will be a must win and they need considerable help to have a chance at post season play. After losing for the second straight week they are on the outside of the favorites for a playoff position. This was particularly disappointing for the Chiefs. They had a ten year, 18 game December winning streak going in the friendly confines of Arrowhead stadium. Prior to this contest, they had not lost at home in December since December 15, 1996.

After being embarrassed last week in Cleveland, the Chiefs’ defense was ready. They held firm for most of the day. They had limited the Ravens to just two first half field goals at half time despite three turnovers already by the Chiefs’ offense. If not for giving up one big play, on a blown coverage in the third quarter, the Chiefs may have been able to stay with the Ravens.

Quarterback Trent Green followed last week’s pro bowl type performance with an especially disappointing display in this game. He was intercepted twice and fumbled once while totaling only 178 yards through the air. Green’s dismal game must be shared by the offensive line. He was harassed quite a bit and sacked five times.

Larry Johnson accounted for 120 yards on the ground. That marks only the second time this year a rusher has reached 100 yards on the ground against the Ravens. His total was the most the Ravens have allowed this year. He did not make it to the end zone and his total included his longest run of the year, a rush for 47 yards. However, his totals were the brightest point in a rough outing for the Chiefs. In addition to scoring a touchdown, Dante Hall had a good game receiving and returning kicks.

Last week the Chiefs lost when they were one dimensional with the offense rolling and the defense sputtering. This week the two units switched places. The defense had a good game and the offense could not get untracked. For the remaining games, the Chiefs need to pull all units together at the same time and then hope for some help from other teams.

What you ought to know

QB Steve McNair, Pass: 21 - 27 - 283 - 1 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 7 - 12 - 0

McNair finished with good statistics. His final totals were greatly aided by one particular play where he took advantage of a blown coverage by the Chiefs for an 87 yard touchdown to Mark Clayton. His elusiveness kept him from ever being sacked and he was not intercepted.

RB Jamal Lewis, Rush: 24 - 81 - 1 (1 targets)

Lewis worked hard for most every one of his 84 yards on the ground, but he was able to score one running touchdown and his presence helped keep the Chiefs from mounting a decent pass rush on McNair.

RB Ovie Mughelli, Rush: 1 - 3 - 0, Rec: 3 - 15 - 0 (3 targets)

Fullback Mughelli also occasionally spelled Lewis. He was utilized occasionally as a receiver out of the backfield but he did have one fumble in this contest.

RB Mike Anderson, Rush: 2 - -3 - 0, Rec: 1 - 13 - 0 (1 targets)

Anderson came in to occasionally spell Jamal Lewis at running back. He was pretty much held in check, with negative yards on only two carries and only one pass caught for the day.

WR Derrick Mason, Rec: 5 - 68 - 0 (7 targets)

Mason remains a very comfortable place for McNair to look to. Mason and McNair are the third most successful quarterback/receiver combination playing in the league. Mason had five catches for a respectable 68 yards.

WR Mark Clayton, Rec: 5 - 112 - 1 (9 targets)

Clayton was McNair’s favorite target and came through strongly justifying his quarterback’s trust. He collected five passes for 112 yards and his speed helped him break away on the only passing touchdown of the day for the Ravens, an 87 yard completion from Steve McNair.

WR Demetrius Williams, Rec: 1 - 33 - 0 (1 targets)

Williams was only targeted one time but pulled it in for an impressive 33 yards.

TE Todd Heap, Rec: 4 - 33 - 0 (6 targets)

With his size and block-out ability, Heap provided an excellent outlet for McNair. Heap caught four of the six passes sent his way.

TE Daniel Wilcox, Rec: 1 - 3 - 0 (1 targets)

As McNair spread out his passes, he sent one toward backup tight end Wilcox who hauled it in as his only catch of the contest.

TE Quinn Sypniewski, Rec: 1 - 6 - 0 (1 targets)

Sypniewski caught the only pass targeted for him during the game.

PK Matt Stover 2 - 2 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 8 points

Stover reached a milestone on his first field goal. It was the 400th successful field goal of his career. Later he added another good kick. He finished with a perfect day kicking the ball, connecting on both field goal attempts and on two extra point tries.

BAL Rush Defense

The Baltimore rushing defense has been tremendously strong this year. They were slightly victimized for this game as they allowed 120 yards to Larry Johnson. It was the most yards they have given up to a running back during this NFL season. They did not allow a rushing score for this contest.

BAL Pass Defense

The Ravens’ pass defense had considerable success against Trent Green. They held him to 178 yards through the air and safety Ed Reed intercepted Green twice. The defensive line harassed Green all game long. They ended up sacking him five times and on one occasion forced Green into a fumble.

QB Trent Green, Pass: 15 - 27 - 178 - 1 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 1 - 10 - 0

Green did not have a good encore for his brilliant performance last week. He finished with only 178 yards as he was unable to settle in often enough to find decent targets. He was sacked five times and often hurried. He tried to force some passes resulting in two interceptions by the Ravens’ Ed Reed. The rust must not have all been worn off yet. Green will have better days.

RB Larry Johnson, Rush: 23 - 120 - 0, Rec: 1 - 4 - 0 (2 targets)

When you consider how many people felt that Johnson would have trouble this year with the losses of Tony Richardson and Willie Roaf, Johnson is having an excellent season. His strength and skill are allowing him to post good numbers despite the major efforts by opposing defenses to stop him. He was the Chiefs’ offense for this contest. His final stats were the highest rushing total compiled this year against the Ravens’ defense. He gained 120 yards on the ground but was not able to get into the end zone. The Chiefs’ faithful did receive a scare late in the game when Johnson came off with his left arm dangling. Trainers worked on the arm for a while, massaging the wrist area and gave Johnson some rest. He was back in the game later.

RB Michael Bennett, Rush: 6 - 5 - 0, Rec: 1 - 14 - 0 (2 targets)

Bennett kept finding an impenetrable wall on his rushing attempts when spelling for Larry Johnson. He remains a good player to have as a backup for Johnson but he didn’t find any room to run against the Ravens.

WR Samie Parker, Rec: 5 - 71 - 0 (8 targets)

Parker has often been a bit forgotten this year, but in this game, he was Trent Green’s favorite target. He successfully grabbed five out of the eight passes meant for him and he had the highest reception yards too, 71 yards through the air.

WR Dante Hall, Rec: 3 - 38 - 1 (4 targets)

Hall was one of the more productive players for the Chiefs in this game. He pulled in three of the four balls sent his way for 38 yards while also collecting another 93 yards on kick returns. Hall scored the only touchdown on the day for the Chiefs. His good returns should have resulted in more points for Kansas City.

WR Eddie Kennison, Rec: 1 - 13 - 0 (3 targets)

Kennison had a sub par game for him. He only had one catch out of three times he was targeted. He is usually a favorite of Green and he should produce better totals in the upcoming weeks.

TE Tony Gonzalez, Rec: 3 - 31 - 0 (6 targets)

Gonzalez was fairly well blanketed during this game by the attacking Ravens’ defenders. He was targeted six times and worked hard against heavy contestation to pull in three passes

TE Kris Wilson, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (2 targets)

Wilson continued his double duties as tight end and fullback. He caught one of only two passes thrown his way.

TE Jason Dunn (1 targets)

Dunn was unable to corral the only pass sent his way during this contest. Unfortunately the pass hit him in the hands and he dropped it. That was on the Chiefs’ first possession. After that, Tynes was unsuccessful on an attempted field goal and the Chiefs lost a chance to set the tone for the game.

PK Lawrence Tynes 1 - 2 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 4 points

Tynes had a bad start as he missed a 32 yard attempt on the first drive that would have given the Chiefs an early lead. He made his only other attempts, a 49 yard field goal in the third quarter and an extra point attempt in the final period.

KC Rush Defense

The Kansas City rush defense had a fair game. They held the Ravens to under three yards per carry and they prevented Lewis from reaching 90 yards. They gave up one rushing touchdown but were mostly impressive in this losing effort.

KC Pass Defense

The Chiefs’ pass defense almost had a great day. They allowed one big play on a blown coverage. They let Steve McNair and Mark Clayton join up on an 87 yard pass completion for a touchdown. They also failed to provide enough pressure on McNair. They never managed to sack him or gather an interception.