You know that feeling when you're playing a video game against your older brother and you do everything right—literally everything—but he still finds that one glitch to beat you at the buzzer? That’s basically been the vibe of the Baltimore Ravens vs KC matchup for the better part of a decade.
On paper, Baltimore should be winning these games. They have the two-time MVP in Lamar Jackson. They have a defense that usually makes offensive coordinators lose sleep. And yet, when they step into GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium or even play at home in M&T Bank Stadium, the Kansas City Chiefs seem to have this weird, almost supernatural hex on them.
Honestly, it’s frustrating if you’re a Ravens fan. You watch Lamar juke three guys out of their shoes, you see the defense pile up sacks, and then suddenly Patrick Mahomes throws a sidearm prayer on 3rd-and-long that somehow finds Travis Kelce’s hands. Game over.
The AFC Championship Heartbreak
The 2023 AFC Championship game was supposed to be the turning point. Baltimore was the #1 seed. The game was in their house. The stadium was literal purple chaos. But the Ravens finished with just 10 points—their lowest of the entire season.
What went wrong? For starters, the Ravens kinda abandoned who they were. They had the best rushing attack in the league, then decided to only hand the ball to their running backs six times. Six! Meanwhile, Steve Spagnuolo, the Chiefs' defensive mastermind, played a "dare you to beat us" scheme that focused entirely on taking away the middle of the field.
Then there was the Zay Flowers fumble at the goal line. That play will haunt Baltimore for twenty years. If he scores there, maybe we’re talking about a different Super Bowl champion. Instead, L'Jarius Sneed punched the ball out, and the air just left the building.
Recent History and the 2025 Slump
Fast forward to the 2025 season. Both teams actually started out a bit shaky. It was weird seeing them both sit at 1-2 heading into their Week 4 clash. People were asking if the dynasty was over in KC or if Lamar had finally hit a wall.
The result? A 37-20 blowout by the Chiefs.
Mahomes looked like his old self, throwing four touchdowns, while the Ravens' defense—which ranked last in the league at that point—just couldn't get off the field. Justice Hill had a massive game with 117 total yards and two scores, but it wasn't enough to stop the bleeding.
Lamar Jackson vs. Patrick Mahomes: The Head-to-Head
We love to frame this as a personal rivalry. Is it, though? Lamar is 1-5 against Mahomes in his career. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a guy who is objectively one of the most talented humans to ever touch a football.
- Mahomes Stats vs. Baltimore: Averages 344 passing yards and has 13 touchdowns to just two interceptions.
- Lamar Stats vs. KC: Averages about 204 passing yards and 71 rushing yards.
The difference isn't necessarily talent; it’s execution in the "clutch" moments. Mahomes has this annoying habit of being perfect when it matters most. Lamar, meanwhile, has struggled with turnovers in these specific high-pressure games. He had a fumble and a pick in that AFC title game that really stung.
Why Kansas City Keeps Winning
It’s not just the quarterback. It's the coaching. Andy Reid and John Harbaugh are both legends, but Reid seems to have a specific playbook just for Baltimore.
- Neutralizing the Blitz: Baltimore loves to bring pressure. Mahomes loves when you bring pressure because he just finds the vacant spot.
- The Kelce Factor: Even when the Ravens have Kyle Hamilton—who is a freak of nature—Kelce finds a way to get open. He had 11 catches in the 2023 playoffs.
- Patience: KC is willing to take the 4-yard gain ten times in a row. Baltimore sometimes gets impatient and tries to hit the home run too early.
What Really Matters for the Next Matchup
If these two teams meet again in the playoffs—and let’s be real, they probably will—Baltimore has to fix their identity crisis. You can't bring in a guy like Derrick Henry and then not use him. Henry has historically shredded the Chiefs (he had nearly 200 yards against them in the 2019 playoffs with Tennessee), but you have to actually give him the ball.
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The Ravens also have to stop the "self-inflicted wounds." Fumbles, 15-yard penalties for late hits, and miscommunications on third down. Against most teams, you can recover from that. Against KC? You're basically handing them the trophy.
Actionable Insights for the Future:
- Watch the Trenches: Keep an eye on the Ravens' offensive line vs. Chris Jones. If Jones is in the backfield, Lamar has no chance to set his feet.
- The "Spy" Tactic: Expect the Ravens to use a linebacker like Trenton Simpson as a dedicated "spy" on Mahomes to prevent those back-breaking 3rd-down scrambles.
- Check the Injury Report: Both teams have struggled with depth on the defensive line recently. If Nnamdi Madubuike or other key starters are out, the score is going to be high.
Next time these two play, don't just look at the scoreboard. Look at the play-calling in the first quarter. If Baltimore is running the ball and controlling the clock, they have a shot. If they start chucking it 40 times in the wind? Expect another Mahomes celebration.
Check the upcoming NFL schedule for the next iteration of Baltimore Ravens vs KC and make sure you have your Sunday cleared. It’s never a boring game, even if it usually ends with the same guy smiling at the podium.