Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs, Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
What separates the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC?
The windows for the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens run rather parallel. Both franchises made quarterback changes in 2018 after using first-round picks on future MVP winners.
Patrick Mahomes was taken 10th-overall in 2017, and a year later Lamar Jackson was selected with the 32nd-overall pick in 2018.
These two young superstars represented change for both franchises, as well as signifying the next window of contention. However, with such similarities among the two and what they represent for both of their teams, is the difference between these AFC favorites under center? In short, the answer is yes.
Why? On paper, the Ravens have a better all-around team. A top defense matched with an explosive offense.
We know all about the Chiefs big-play offense, but the defense is not to the level of the unit the Ravens boast. And, last year, Jackson led the highest-scoring offense in the NFL. A year after Mahomes and the Chiefs led in that category.
Now, look at the defenses. Each year, the Ravens continuously pump out Pro Bowl, All-Pro talent on this side of the ball. In each of Jackson’s first two campaigns in the NFL, the Ravens have owned a top 5-10 defense.
Mahomes has not had that to fall back on. In 2018, the Chiefs had to score a lot to remain in games due to their subpar defense. Although this unit was much better in 2019, it’s not on Baltimore’s level.
Essentially, the Ravens should be better, right? Top 5-10 defense, the best offense in the NFL, and an MVP winning quarterback. The Chiefs have just as good of an offense, but a worse defense, with an MVP of their own under center.
So, is the difference between the two teams becoming clearer? Yes, Mahomes is the reason the Chiefs have a Super Bowl win and the Ravens have not had the same playoff success.
This is not to say Jackson isn’t good. He’s awesome. Instead, it’s demonstrating how generational Mahomes is. Where Mahomes has been able to excel quickly, Jackson still has some more development to work through, specifically in the passing game.
If Jackson can take another step, this conversation may be flipped because the Ravens are a powerhouse waiting to build their own dynasty.
The Chiefs are a more flawed team than the Ravens in some portions of the depth chart, but their generational talent at quarterback gives them the slight edge.