The Baltimore Ravens will take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night in what will be a battle between the top two teams in the AFC. Football is a game of matchups and in this one, quite a few are important to the final outcome. But one still hangs above all others — linebacker Patrick Queen on tight end Travis Kelce.
Queen was selected by the Ravens with the 28th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He’s played well early, leading the team in tackles with 17 while also racking up one sack and one forced fumble in Baltimore’s first two games. He hasn’t been perfect, but he represents a clear upgrade over what the Ravens had at the position in 2019. He has the athleticism to run sideline-to-sideline, shoot gaps, and most importantly, cover running backs and tight ends.
Baltimore has had issues over the last few years covering tight ends. With players like Queen and fellow rookie Malik Harrison now on the roster, the team should be better equipped to hold tight ends in check. But through two games, those struggles have yet to go away.
Queen has been tested early in coverage, being targeted 11 times and allowing eight completions for 72 yards and a 90.0 passer rating. While the Ravens’ defense as a whole has allowed just two touchdowns so far this season, both have gone to tight ends. Opposing tight ends have been targeted 19 times, catching 15 passes for 148 yards, and two touchdowns — representing 32% of the receptions, 35% of the passing yards, and 100% of the total touchdowns Baltimore’s defense has allowed this season.
With Kelce coming to town, the Ravens will have a tall task at hand. Kelce has burned Baltimore over the past two matchups, catching 14 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown. And Kelce is off to a fast start this season, catching 15 passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns through two games.
In order to stop Kelce, it will have to be a group effort from Queen, Harrison, and L.J. Fort as well as any safeties who are matched up on him. While many people will have a hand in defending him, it will most likely be Queen who covers him the most. It’s a big test for the rookie, and if he can stop one of the best tight ends in the game the Ravens defense can take away a very important part of the Chiefs’ offense.
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