If you’ve watched the NFL for any length of time, you’ve probably commented on how “Monday Night Football” isn’t always the greatest matchup in any given week. But there won’t be anyone questioning Week 3’s matchup against the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs in the national spotlight.
The Ravens and Chiefs can boast about having the last two NFL MVP winners in quarterbacks Lamar Jackson (2019) and Patrick Mahomes (2018). They feature two of the most explosive offenses in the sport, not only through the air but on the ground. Both defenses are known for hitting hard and playing up to their competition, with Baltimore’s defense currently ranked first in points allowed, second in total yards allowed, and first in total takeaways.
But there’s more to it than just the stats and individual matchups. This game could very well define the top of the AFC this season and there’s little debate this week’s matchup is a potential preview of the AFC Championship Game.
Kansas City is the reigning Super Bowl champion and both teams are oddsmakers’ favorites to win Super Bowl LV. Both teams are currently undefeated and they have the two longest active win streaks in the NFL with the Chiefs sitting at eight consecutive wins while the Ravens have 14. Whichever team wins this game has the top claim for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Though every game in the NFL is a “must-win” scenario, this week’s game really is that for both Baltimore and Kansas City.
Let’s not forget the budding rivalry that’s brewing, both between the teams themselves and their fan bases. Much like the Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning matchups of the 2000s, Jackson vs. Mahomes is the newest iteration of the prime-time rivalry that has fans blustering about how their team is the best. That bickering isn’t hurt by both the Ravens and Chiefs being consistently good teams right in the thick of the playoff race yearly. Their close Week 3 contest last season — coming down to the last drive — only further points to just how exciting and tight this matchup truly is.
If you’re not excited for the Ravens vs. Chiefs in Week 3, you just don’t like football at this point.
[vertical-gallery id=47631]