Wednesday, October 20 Baxter Bits: Chiefs vs. Ravens By Russell S. Baxter Special to ESPN.com |
||||||||||
The Chiefs and Ravens (both off last week) square off in Baltimore in a Thursday night special (8:20 p.m. ET, ESPN), as these clubs collide for the first time ever in the regular season. It will be the first trip for Kansas City to Baltimore since 1980, when they came to Maryland to play the Colts. Numbers: Including playoffs, the Chiefs have scored 598 points in 23 wins, 218 points in 15 losses dating back to '97. Since 1993 (including playoffs), Chiefs quarterbacks have thrown 92 touchdown passes, compared to just 30 interceptions in 67 victories, while throwing just 34 TD passes and 60 interceptions in 40 defeats. Including playoffs, the Chiefs have totaled 64 takeaways in 23 wins, 19 takeaways in 15 losses dating back to '97. After giving up just 63 points in their first five games in 1998 (4-1), the Chiefs have allowed 386 points in their last 16 contests (6-10) dating back to '98. They have rushed for 120 or more yards in four consecutive games. The Chiefs have forced two or more turnovers in six straight games dating back to '98. Their defense has had two or more interceptions in four straight games. The Ravens have scored 181 points in nine wins, 165 points in 13 losses dating back to '98. Their defense has limited the opposition to 14 or fewer points in three straight games. They have allowed three or more sacks in three straight games. Things To Look For: To date, Gunther Cunningham's club has shown us that they are a totally different team away from Arrowhead Stadium, although their defense has been fairly consistent. Meanwhile, the Ravens have begun to come together thanks to quarterback Stoney Case and their own defense, which continues to get after opposing quarterbacks. It shapes up as a very rough evening for Chiefs quarterback Elvis Grbac. Etc.: Chiefs kicker Pete Stoyanovich (1,125) needs five points to tie Gino Cappelletti (1,130) for 19th place on the NFL's all-time scoring list. Since entering the NFL in 1996, the Ravens are 7-20 vs. AFC Central rivals and 11-14-1 vs. the rest of the league.
|
|