Chiefs vs Ravens Week 2 Picks and Preview: Mahomes Looks to Keep Unbeaten Record vs Jackson

(Photo : Jamie Squire/Getty Images) KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - Quarterback Patrick Mahomes (#15) of the Kansas City Chiefs looks to pass during the game against the Cleveland Browns at the Arrowhead Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Two of the league's best quarterbacks renew their rivalry this coming Sunday as Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs take on Lamar Jackson and the rest of the Baltimore Ravens. Who will prevail in this Week 2 clash? Read on below for a preview of this mouth-watering AFC matchup.

Kansas City Chiefs installed as -3.5 favorites

The Kansas City Chiefs survived a major scare on Sunday as they came from behind to beat the Cleveland Browns, 33-29, in a thrilling Week 1 encounter. Trailing for most of the contest, the Chiefs scored 13 unanswered points in the final quarter to turn a 20-29 deficit into a 33-29 victory.

To no one's surprise, the Chiefs' trio of Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce inspired Kansas City's comeback win. Mahomes dazzled in his first outing since the Super Bowl defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier this year, completing 27 of 36 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns.

This throw and catch by Mahomes and Tyreek Hill 🙌

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/z7KfEe9AS4
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 12, 2021

He relied on Hill and Kelce to get the job done against Cleveland, delivering touchdown passes to each one of them in just three minutes to turn the tide in Kansas City's favor. Hill caught 11 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown, while Kelce had six receptions for 76 yards and a score.

There is some concern, however, that the Chiefs are relying too much on Kelce and Hill. In the comeback win against the Browns, the Chiefs duo accounted for 63 percent of the catches, 81 percent of the yards, and 100 percent of the passing touchdowns.

In an interview afterward, Mahomes alluded to that fact, saying he will need to involve other receivers in the coming games. Kansas City's other wide receivers, tight ends, and backs combined for just ten catches and 64 yards in their Week 1 win.

Baltimore Ravens enter Week 2 as +3.5 underdogs

Baltimore's 2021 NFL season couldn't have started much worse as the Ravens suffered a painful 33-27 overtime defeat to the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday. The Ravens failed to grab the Week 1 win despite storming to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and holding a 27-24 advantage in the dying seconds.

Things are bound to get more challenging for the Ravens in Week 2 as they will next face the reigning AFC champions Kansas City Chiefs. They have struggled mightily against the Chiefs during the Lamar Jackson era, with Kansas City holding a 3-0 edge in their three previous meetings with Baltimore.

Lamar Jackson threads the needle on this TD 🎯

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/rRP21HOEpt
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 14, 2021

The Ravens must have a quick start against the Chiefs this time around. In the previous three matchups between Mahomes and Jackson, Kansas City has outscored Baltimore by 41 points in the first half (67-26). In their lone meeting last season, the Chiefs built a 27-10 lead after the first half and cruised to an easy 34-20 win.

The Ravens will need to find ways to slow down Mahomes, a beast in September. Since taking over as Chiefs QB, Mahomes has never lost in September, posting an immaculate 11-0 record with 35 touchdowns and no interceptions.