Inside Slant

The Sports Xchange

December 07, 2018 at 6:34 pm.

Ravens face huge test in Kansas City

Baltimore Ravens rookie Lamar Jackson is still developing as a quarterback, picking up difference nuances each game.

This week, he will face an entirely different challenge in Arrowhead Stadium.

Crowd noise is expected to play a factor with his play-calling.

“Those guys might have to read my lips sometimes,” he said. “I heard Kansas City will be very loud. I’m going to have to do my job, probably try to speak up as much as I could to those guys. (It’ll be a) team effort in the huddle.”

Jackson is poised to make his fourth consecutive start against the Chiefs with Joe Flacco still limited with a hip injury. The former Heisman Trophy winner has led the Ravens to three straight victories and has gained the confidence of his teammates.

The Ravens running game has also thrived with Jackson starting, averaging 239 yards per game. Baltimore has also dominated time of possession, which has kept opposing offenses off the field and its own defense fresh.

This will be key against the high-flying Chiefs, who have the league’s top-ranked offense and average 37 points per game. The Ravens defense has been equally impressive and have given up the fewest points and yards in the NFL.

The Ravens defenders dismissed the significance of that statistical matchup. Instead, they are just focused on winning the game and maintaining their position as the sixth and final wild-card team in the AFC.

“We’re just trying to give our team the best chance to win and play great defense,” safety Eric Weddle said. “We just have to be fundamentally sound, play great technique, communicate, play our rules and don’t get enamored with the formations, with the shifts, with the different plays that they may do. Just play our game, do what we do best, and let the chips fall where they be.”

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is also excited about playing in the venerable Arrowhead Stadium. The game is another critical step toward ending a three-year playoff drought.

“It’s a great environment,” Harbaugh said. “It’s one of those environments you love going into in this league. It’s what you do this job for. Yes, it’s an awesome place to play. It’ll be loud, they’ll be into it (if) their team is winning. This’ll be a big game. We’re looking forward to that. That’s something that you really kind of relish.”

SERIES HISTORY: 8th regular-season meeting. Chiefs lead series, 4-3. The Ravens are 3-0 (including playoffs) at Arrowhead Stadium. Two of those victories have come under head coach John Harbaugh.