The fourth week of the NFL concluded with an impressive performance from the Kansas City Chiefs as they secured a dominant victory over the Baltimore Ravens. This wasn’t just a simple win; it was a resounding statement, sending a clear message to the entire league: the Chiefs are back, stronger than ever, and ready to reassert their dominance in the AFC West. This game, along with surprising developments across the AFC, created a perfect week for the red-clad army.

Dodging the 1-3 Bullet: A Historically Significant Start

One of the most crucial elements that made this victory “enormous” for the Chiefs was their success in avoiding the “1-and-3 bullet”. Starting the season with a 1-3 record is a dire scenario for any NFL team. History has shown that the probability of a team making the playoffs after such a start is extremely low. In fact, only one team in the entire history of the NFL has ever made it to the Super Bowl after a 1-3 start: the 2001 New England Patriots. For the Chiefs, avoiding this fate was not just a relief but a massive morale boost to maintain their fighting spirit.

The pressure intensifies when looking at the team’s upcoming schedule. The next five games for the Chiefs are a “brutal” stretch. While it might not have seemed so initially, their opponents are showing impressive form. The Jaguars, whom the Chiefs will face next week on Monday Night Football, currently have a 3-1 record and are playing exceptionally well under Liam Coen. Immediately after, they face the Detroit Lions (3-1), a team that has quickly regained its form under Dan Campbell. Next is a divisional matchup against the Raiders, followed by the Commanders (2-2)—a team far stronger than their record suggests, especially with Jaden Daniels returning. And, of course, the biggest game in Week 9 will be the clash with their arch-rivals, the Buffalo Bills. In total, the Chiefs are set to face opponents with a combined record of 13-7 over the next five weeks. This is a daunting schedule, and securing a crucial win against the Ravens not only provides “breathing room” but also sends a powerful message that the Chiefs can defeat any opponent.

The Offense Gets Its “Swagger” Back: An Impressive Return to Form

Another highlight from the Week 4 victory was the Chiefs’ offense regaining its “swagger”, particularly in the first half. It was the best offensive performance of the season for the Chiefs, and for the first time in over two years (735 days, since September 24, 2023, against the Chicago Bears), they scored more than 35 points in a game.

Patrick Mahomes delivered a “phenomenal” performance. He achieved a 67.2% completion rate, throwing for over 270 yards with an impressive efficiency of four touchdowns and zero interceptions. The reason for this stellar showing is no mystery: the return of Xavier Worthy. After several weeks on the sideline, Worthy had a “phenomenal” game, making his mark with 7 touches for a total of 121 yards. He led the team in both rushing and receiving, with 85 of those 127 yards coming in the first half, helping the Chiefs “bury Baltimore” early in the game.

This fast start was a key factor in their victory. In the first three games, the Chiefs often started slowly, scoring only 25 combined points and punting on nearly 40% of their 14 first-half drives. But in Week 4, the story was completely different. They scored 20 points in the first half, did not punt a single time, and scored touchdowns on two of their five possessions, ultimately scoring on four of their five total possessions. It was a “phenomenal effort” from the offense, and they could have scored even more if not for a missed field goal by Harrison Butker. Butker’s recent struggles, hitting only 50% of his attempts from beyond 50 yards over the last two seasons, have raised questions about his future with the Chiefs.

Offensive and Defensive Lines Shine: A Well-Oiled Machine

The offense also benefited greatly from the “fantastic” performance of the offensive line. They effectively capitalized on an injury-riddled Ravens defensive unit. While not outstanding in the run game, they created “valuable time” for Patrick Mahomes in the passing game. The Chiefs’ pressure rate dropped significantly from an average of 36.2% in the previous three weeks to just 19% in this game. This was partly due to the Ravens’ defense missing three key players (Odafe Oweh, Travis Jones, and Kyle Van Noy) before the game, and three others (Roquan Smith, Marlon Humphrey, and Nate Wiggins) leaving due to injuries during the game. These losses severely hampered the Ravens’ ability to generate pressure and stop the run.

It wasn’t just the offense that shone; the Chiefs’ defense also delivered a “fantastic performance”. Steve Spagnuolo’s game plan proved highly effective, consistently bringing the heat (blitzing) against Lamar Jackson. Spagnuolo is known for his willingness to “roll the dice” and blitz frequently, especially against elite quarterbacks. The Chiefs’ blitz rates in previous games were 41.5% against Justin Herbert, a whopping 60% against Jalen Hurts, and 16.2% against Russell Wilson. Against the Ravens, the rate was 33%.

Lamar Jackson was visibly “uncomfortable” under this pressure. The Ravens’ offensive line struggled to pick up the blitzes, and Jackson managed only 39 yards on 7 attempts when blitzed, with no touchdowns and one interception, resulting in a meager passer rating of 45.2 (out of 158.3). The Chiefs’ defense successfully “limited Lamar’s impact”, holding him to under 200 total yards—a remarkable achievement against one of the NFL’s premier quarterbacks.

Stars Who Shone and Areas for Improvement

Among the “studs” of Week 4, Patrick Mahomes was undeniable. He “torched” the Ravens, thanks in large part to the protection from his offensive line. Xavier Worthy was another standout “stud”, with 7 touches for 121 yards, including 5 receptions for 83 yards. His explosive potential was affirmed by Patrick Mahomes: “It doesn’t matter if it’s a 5-yard out or a 20-yard ball down the field, he can take everything to the end zone”.

George Karlaftis also earned praise with eight pressures, leading the team on a day they needed someone to step up, especially with Chris Jones facing an emotional day. Another potential star is rookie Brashard Smith, who showcased his explosiveness and needs more touches to inject more speed into the offense.

However, not everything was perfect. Kareem Hunt was listed as a “dud”. He had many touches but was ineffective, forcing only three missed tackles on 42 carries this season. It’s clear the Chiefs need to “move away” from relying on Hunt and give more opportunities to Smith. Jaylen Watson was also a disappointing “dud”, with only 14 total snaps and just four on passing plays, contrary to the expectations set by Andy Reid.

The Changing Landscape of the AFC West: Chiefs in Control

Developments across the AFC West also brought “really positive news” for the Chiefs. The Raiders lost to the Bears in a “shocker”, with a game-winning kick being blocked, dropping them to a 1-3 record. The Chargers were stunned by Jackson Dart, while the Giants secured their second win. With the Broncos sitting at 1-2 and set to face the Bengals, the Chiefs are now firmly in second place in the AFC West standings.

After a 0-2 start, the Chiefs’ rise to second place, potentially tying with the Broncos (if they win), is an incredible turnaround. Two consecutive wins have put them “right back in position to really have a say” in the race for control of the AFC West. Based on their recent performance, the Chiefs are on track to regain control of the division in just “a few more weeks”.

In conclusion, the Chiefs’ victory over the Ravens was not just a crucial milestone for their season but also a testament to the team’s underlying strength and resilience. With an explosive Patrick Mahomes, the return of Xavier Worthy, a speedy offense, a tenacious defense, and Spagnuolo’s sharp tactical moves, the Kansas City Chiefs are poised for a promising season, reasserting their status as a powerhouse in the AFC West.