Chiefs-Ravens Preview

VIDEO PLAYLIST

• Countdown Daily Recap: Chiefs-Ravens

SCOUTING REPORT

Chiefs-Ravens: 10 observations After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Chiefs-Ravens matchup. 1. Ravens free safety Ed Reed's versatility: Kansas City has a quarterback question mark. Projected starter Matt Cassel has a sprained MCL and could be a game-time decision. If he can't go, the starter would be Tyler Thigpen, who has starting experience from last season. Regardless of who gets the call, look for the Ravens' defense to create confusion with Reed, who will align all over the field to confuse the quarterback.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
KAN	3-7	169	239	1-4	2-3	1-2	2-4
BAL	5-5	237	171	3-2	2-3	2-2	5-4
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Kansas City Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Cassel 55.0 1720 12 6 Croyle 66.7 177 2 0

Baltimore Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Flacco 65.4 2455 12 8 Smith 50.0 4 0 0

Kansas City Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Johnso... 132 377 2.9 0 Charle... 64 313 4.9 1

Baltimore Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Rice 148 733 5.0 6 McGahe... 66 261 4.0 5

Kansas City Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Bowe 33 466 14.1 4 Chambe... 10 249 24.9 2

Baltimore Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Mason 45 672 14.9 4 Rice 56 515 9.2 1

Full Player Stats: Kansas City | Baltimore

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	KAN	309.0
	BAL	324.0
Yards Passing	KAN	195.6
	BAL	175.5
Yards Rushing	KAN	113.1
	BAL	148.5
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	KAN	393.2
	BAL	261.1
Pass Yds Allowed	KAN	234.3
	BAL	179.7
Rush Yds Allowed	KAN	158.9
	BAL	81.4

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Series tied 2-2
Dec 10, 2006	KAN 10, @BAL 20
Oct 4, 2004	KAN 27, BAL 24
Sep 28, 2003	KAN 17, BAL 10

Despite the loss of some key personnel, the Baltimore Ravens expect to build off a successful 2008 season. The Kansas City Chiefs, meanwhile, hope a new look throughout the organization will help them bounce back from a disappointing effort a year ago.

A pair of teams with something to prove face each other to open the season Sunday in Baltimore.

Baltimore won nine of its final 11 contests to finish 11-5, earn an AFC wild card berth then reach the conference championship game before losing 23-14 to eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh last season. Kansas City, meanwhile, had the AFC's worst mark at 2-14, leading to a serious overhaul within the organization.

The Chiefs, who haven't won a playoff game since the 1993 season and lost all but six of their last 33 contests, fired head coach Herman Edwards and replaced him with former Arizona offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

Scott Pioli, the longtime vice president of player personnel with New England, is the new general manager and Matt Cassel -- who shined as Tom Brady's replacement a year ago with the Patriots -- was given a six-year, $63 million deal to guide the offense.

"I don't know when we're going to win, but we're going to win," Pioli said. "Until the time we win, it's going to be nothing but hard work."

Most of the work might need to be done on defense where Kansas City allowed 27.5 points per game and set an embarrassing NFL record by recording 10 sacks last season.

Veteran linebacker Mike Vrabel was brought over from New England and first-round pick Tyson Jackson from LSU has looked strong at defensive end in the new 3-4 alignment. Despite going 0-4 in the preseason, the Chiefs had seven sacks.

"I'm encouraged defensively overall," Haley said. "A lot of guys were asked to do some different things, some things they weren't used to doing. And most of them responded."

Haley's immediate concern, however, is Cassel, who injured his left knee in a preseason game Aug. 29.

Cassel -- who went 10-5 and threw for 3,693 yards with 21 touchdowns during his breakout 2008 season -- is taking part in individual drills in practice, but his status is uncertain.

"I don't know that we're going to have an answer right up until we play," said Haley, who will also serve as offensive coordinator after firing Chan Gailey during the preseason.

Former first-round pick Brodie Croyle would likely start if Cassel can't, a move that would seem to put the Chiefs at a huge disadvantage against Baltimore's stingy defense that was second in the NFL in total yards allowed last season with 261.1 per game.

"I had to play the Ravens a bunch, and there isn't one time you ever look forward to it," Haley said.

With 10-time Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez now in Atlanta and Cassel's status up in the air, the Chiefs could lean on veteran running back Larry Johnson, who appears poised to rebound after injuries and legal troubles helped limit him to 1,433 yards and eight TDs in 20 games over the last two seasons.

Johnson rushed for 120 yards against Baltimore on Dec. 10, 2006, the last time the Ravens allowed a 100-yard rusher -- a streak that's covered 35 games.

While the Ravens have loftier goals this season, former defensive coordinator Rex Ryan is now the head coach of the New York Jets and brought former linebacker Bart Scott with him.

Linebackers Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs still anchor a unit that ranked first in total defense while going 4-0 in the preseason. Veteran safety Ed Reed returns after leading the NFL with nine interceptions in 2008.

While the Ravens appear confident again on defense, they'll hope the offense can continue to show improvement under second-year quarterback Joe Flacco.

With Flacco starting every game and throwing for 2,971 yards with 14 TDs, Baltimore averaged 24.1 points per contest and may have took some opposing defenses by surprise last season.

"We've got to get better because we know there is no defense that is going to overlook us," offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said. "Maybe we got overlooked a little bit last year."

While the receiving corps remains somewhat a concern, the Ravens feature a talented backfield of Ray Rice (454 rushing yards in 2008), Willis McGahee (671 yards, seven TDs) and Le'Ron McClain (902 yards, 10 TDs).

"If you're going to defeat us, you're going to defeat us as a team," Lewis said. "When we step on the field, we're one heartbeat, bottom line."

Kansas City, which looks to avoid a fourth straight season-opening loss, is 3-1 all-time against the Ravens and 3-0 in Baltimore.

Despite opening 2008 with a 17-10 win over Cincinnati, Baltimore has dropped five of its last seven openers.

Ravens CB Washington (knee) done for season

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Fabian Washington is expected to miss the remainder of the season after hurting his knee during Sunday's loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

FBO: Week 11 Quick Reads

Football Outsiders apply their metrics to Week 11. Findings: Even when Wes Welker doesn't find the end zone, he's historic; Mark Sanchez isn't ready; DeAngelo Williams needs the rock more; and T.J. Houshmandzadeh may have saved Minny's season.

Chiefs stun Steelers; Big Ben suffers hit to head

Ryan Succop's 22-yard field goal with 8:28 left in overtime lifted the Kansas City Chiefs to a come-from-behind 27-24 victory Sunday over the Pittsburgh Steelers, breaking a team-record 10-game home losing streak.

Colts overcome TOs, Ravens to climb to 10-0

Receiving an inspired performance from their defense and overcoming an uncharacteristic three turnovers, the Colts edged Baltimore 17-15 Sunday to improve to 10-0.

'He runs a tight ship'

When Todd Haley was introduced as the Chiefs' new head coach in early February, he joked that he was trying to loosen up, if only for the day.

Safety alert: Mike Brown making free-agent visit to Kansas City

One safety with Chicago ties is expected to announce his retirement today. Another will look for a new place to continue his career.

Still no Waters or Vrabel at Chiefs practice, but LJ returns

The Chiefs began another week of optional team practices without two important pieces, and how Kansas City ends this week could foretell whether key players on offense and defense have a future with the team.

Chiefs adjust to new roles in new defense

Turk McBride still feels himself inching toward the defensive line, home for so long, and the comfort his old position would bring.

Clock ticking on Chiefs contract

The game of chicken between the Kansas City Chiefs and state government has yet to scare away potential builders of a summer training camp facility in St.

Ravens' Figurs out until training camp after surgery

The Ravens' Yamon Figurs will be sidelined for the rest of the offseason minicamps because he recently had surgery on his foot.

Troy Smith gets work as receiver

With several wide receivers excused from voluntary minicamp, backup quarterback Troy Smith made a temporary position change to wide-out, running routes and making some impressive catches Tuesday.

McGahee Heads Sparse List of Vets at OTA

The Ravens have had a solid turnout of veterans at all of their voluntary Organized Team Activities this offseason, but running back Willis McGahee was the most notable of those players that opted to attend this week.

Smith Running Routes as Receiver

On one of the final drills of todaya s OTAs, the Ravens faced fourth-and-8 at midfield, and backup quarterback Troy Smith joined a four-receiver set.

Birk Bustling in Baltimore

Matt Birk , the Ravens' newly-acquired center, brings 11 years of NFL experience, six Pro Bowl invites and a reputable charitable foundation to the team.