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The Ravens vs Chiefs Week 4 matchup is trending across NFL news

As Baltimore opens as a surprising favorite despite both teams holding 1-2 records. Fans and analysts are keeping a close eye on the clash between Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. This high-stakes game could shape playoff hopes and sets the stage for exciting Week 4 action.

Baltimore Ravens: Rising Despite Setbacks

The Baltimore Ravens have faced early-season struggles, including a 38-30 loss to the Detroit Lions. Despite this, they opened as favorites against the Chiefs. Lamar Jackson has shown flashes of brilliance, and Baltimore’s defensive unit remains a formidable force. The Ravens’ ability to protect the QB and exploit Kansas City’s defensive gaps will be crucial for success in Week 4.

Kansas City Chiefs: Seeking Consistency

The Kansas City Chiefs are looking to build momentum after a mixed start, including losses to the Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles and a narrow win over the New York Giants. Head coach Andy Reid is focused on consistency from Patrick Mahomes and ensuring the offense capitalizes on every scoring opportunity.

Betting Odds and Predictions

Oddsmakers list the Ravens as 2.5-point favorites, creating a hot topic among NFL bettors. Sports analysts predict a tight contest, noting that while Baltimore holds the edge on paper, Kansas City’s explosive offense could swing the game in their favor if turnovers are minimized. Social media is buzzing with predictions and debates among fans.

Expert Analysis

NFL analyst Adam Schefter says, “Even though both teams have stumbled early, Baltimore’s defense and Jackson’s playmaking make them favorites. Mahomes can always flip the game if he heats up, so this matchup is essential viewing.”

The stakes are high.

By the end of this week, either Kansas City or Baltimore will be 1-3 for the first time in ten years. The last time a team recovered from a 1-3 slump to reach the Super Bowl was in 2001. What could be more important?

Upheaval in the NFC

All three NFC divisions are closely contested heading into Week 4. Philadelphia and San Francisco lead by one game, while all three teams in the NFC North are tied at 2-1.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers’ start seems almost miraculous. They have already recovered from injuries and are now progressing without Nick Bosa. Despite this loss, San Francisco has already secured more division wins in three weeks than it did in all of last season. Getting three consecutive wins so quickly is invaluable for a team that relies on quarterback Mac Jones and Ricky Piersall, their only receivers to play in all three contests. Skai Moore and Marquez Valdes-Scantling technically played three times, but received only three targets combined.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are 3-0 in the NFC East. After defeating both Dallas and Kansas City, they proved they can still compete when needed. After Jalen Hurts was taken out early in the third quarter, they recorded -1.1 EPA per dropback, while AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith received only three targets combined. What followed was clear to everyone.

Green Bay Packers

Green Bay continues to falter, leaving the NFC North in a traffic jam, leaving Detroit, Minnesota, and Chicago behind. The Lions took control by defeating Baltimore, as if a rookie player was stealing a rookie’s lunch money. The Packers now face several winnable games and a bye before their next real test against Philadelphia in Week 10. They’ll need to rediscover the deep ball by then, as the division battle resumes in full swing.

Houston Texans

C.J. Stroud and his team have scored just 38 points in three games, which puts them on par with the 2019 Dolphins, the 2018 Cardinals, and the 2020-21 Jets. This isn’t a group anyone would want to be in.

Baltimore’s Key Players

Offensiveness

Lamar Jackson has thrown for 722 yards in three games, averaging 240.7 yards per game and a 72% completion rate. He leads the NFL with nine touchdown passes and has yet to throw a single pick. On the ground, Jackson has amassed 118 rushing yards—second-most on the team—and a score.

Derrick Henry has 242 rushing yards (fifth in the league) with three touchdowns, averaging 80.7 yards per game and an impressive 5.9 yards per carry (second in the NFL).

Zae Flowers has 16 catches on 23 targets for 231 yards (ninth in the NFL) and one touchdown, giving him averages of 5.3 receptions and 77 yards per game.

DeAndre Hopkins has five catches, 112 yards, and two touchdowns. Targeted six times, he has averaged 1.7 receptions and 37.3 yards in three contests.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals hoped their offense could flourish if Jake Browning kept pressing the “Ja’Marr Chase” button on his controller. But Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores had a clear answer:
Cincinnati has a 2-1 record, yet both of their wins have come by a combined five points, and the upcoming rounds against Denver, Detroit, and Green Bay will be challenging. Chase Brown has only 93 yards on 45 carries, his lowest total in the last three games, so the run game offers no relief. Even the defense can’t cover such a large gap. Their only lifeline rests on Joe Burrow, who is returning from turf toe surgery this year, but even that is highly uncertain.