PLAYER NOTES
–QB Joe Flacco (hip) was able to practice Wednesday after he missed his third straight game Week 13 against the Falcons. His workload could increase later in the week. “He’s going to go through it, and we’re just going to take it as we go,” Ravens HEAD coach John Harbaugh said. “I don’t anticipate it being a full participation – a whole practice – but ramped up from last week.”
–T James Hurst (back) is progressing from his injury and is expected to perform more drills in practice this week. He has missed the past six games. Rookie Orlando Brown Jr. has started in Hurst’s place.
–S Tony Jefferson (ankle) was inactive Week 13 against the Falcons and was still not able to practice Wednesday. He suffered the injury the prior game against the Raiders. Jefferson was replaced by Chuck Clark in the starting lineup. Jefferson could return this week against the Chiefs.
–LG Alex Lewis (shoulder) was not available at practice Wednesday. The third-year player has battled through injuries over his three-year career. Lewis suffered a stinger in Week 12 against the Raiders, but was able to return.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: RB Kenneth Dixon. The third-year player was activated from injured reserve prior to the Week 13 game against the Atlanta Falcons. He finished with eight carries for 37 yards. He could play a bigger role this week behind rookie Gus Edwards. Dixon was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 12 after leading the team with 13 carries for 44 yards and one rushing touchdown against Buffalo. Dixon has seen action in 14 games for the Ravens after originally being selected in the fourth round of the 2016 draft.
GAME PLAN: Rookie Lamar Jackson will face his biggest test if Joe Flacco (hip) is not cleared to play. Jackson has led the Ravens to victories in the last three games against the Bengals, Raiders and Falcons. The Chiefs, however, are a more formidable challenge. The Ravens will pound the ball against Kansas City’s run defense that is ranked 22nd, allowing 122 yards per game. The Ravens will also take more shots deep downfield with receivers John Brown, Michael Crabtree and Willie Snead IV to keep the Chiefs from stacking the box. However, the Ravens’ running attack will be crucial to this game to keep Patrick Mahomes off the field.
Baltimore has the league’s No. 1 overall defense, but it will face perhaps its bigger challenge of the season. The high-flying Kansas City Chiefs lead the NFL with 37 points per game and the Ravens are not built to get into a shootout with them. As a result, Baltimore’s resurgent running can once again help the defense. This kept the team’s defenders fresh to make big plays and close out three straight victories. Kansas City’s running attack suffered a blow with the release of starter Kareem Hunt. The Chiefs re-signed running back Charcandrick West for depth. Baltimore will look to shut down that ground attack and make Kansas City one dimensional by throwing the ball against its talented secondary.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Ravens RB Gus Edwards vs. Chiefs LB Anthony Hitchens. The Ravens have run for more than 200 yards in each of the last three games. Edwards has led the charge. The undrafted rookie from Rutgers had two consecutive 100-yard performances before finishing with 82 yards on 21 carries against the Falcons. Edwards has taken over the starting job for Alex Collins, who was placed on injured reserve with an injured foot. Hitchens leads the Chiefs with 60 tackles. He will be busy this game with the Ravens trying to set the tone on the ground.
–Ravens secondary vs. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and WR Tyreek Hill. Mahomes has been one of the most dynamic players in the league, throwing for 3,923 yards with 41 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Hill is one of his favorite targets and has 66 receptions for 1,119 yards with 11 touchdowns. The Chiefs will want to score early and often to make the Ravens play from behind. The onus will be on CBs Jimmy Smith, Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Carr to shut down that passing attack. Ss Eric Weddle, Chuck Carr and perhaps Tony Jefferson, if he is available to play, will be able to provide support.
