Sunday features best-on-best matchup that will challenge Kansas City Chiefs.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – For those who don’t understand Game Theory, George Karlaftis explained it this week using Steve Spagnuolo as an example. “Knowing kind of what the opponent's going to do,” Karlaftis said Wednesday, “Kind of, ‘He thinks that, I think that he thinks that I'm going to do this type thing.
’ He's really, really good at that.” Oct 13, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken on the field before the game against the Washington Commanders at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images / Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images So, as the Chiefs prepare for Baltimore on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium , the Kansas City defensive coordinator will be calling defenses based on what he thinks Todd Monken – Baltimore’s offensive coordinator – thinks Spagnuolo will call. It’s a fascinating chess match, and it figures to beSince John Harbaugh hired Monken in 2023, the Ravens rank second in the league with 30.1 points per game . This year, Baltimore has a league-best 37.0 average through three games. Meanwhile, over the same 2023-25 period, the Chiefs have allowed the NFL’s fewest points per game, followed by Green Bay and Baltimore . However, no one is taking Spagnuolo for granted this week, including Patrick Mahomes. The quarterback said Wednesday this is the week to both start with effective, point-producing drives in the first quarter and stop settling for field goals in the red zone. “And when we play teams that are really good,” Mahomes said Wednesday, “have dynamic quarterbacks like the Ravens, you got to turn those into touchdowns, and that will not only put pressure on them, but it unleashes Spags to be able to do what he wants to do.” Sep 22, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry stiff arms Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis during the third quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images / Andrew Dieb-Imagn ImagesWhat Spagnuolo wants to do this week is simple but so complicated: Limit the damage of that dynamic quarterback, Lamar Jackson, and his best friend, Derrick Henry. Game Theory is much more difficult, Spagnuolo said, when the Ravens turn the tables on the Chiefs. “When they're really good,” Spagnuolo said Thursday, “and they have been all year long, they can dictate the game by. And you have to worry about it on every snap. It doesn't matter what the down and distance is. They'll run it when you're supposed to throw it, and throw it when you're supposed to run it. And they got guys that can do it.” Sep 22, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews makes a catch against Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images / Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images That’s why this week is more of a challenge compared to the team’s 20-17 loss to the Eagles in Week 2, or Kansas City’s 22-9 win last week over the Giants. In those games, Spagnuolo took away what his opponent did best, including last week when the Chiefs held Malik Nabers to a career-low two receptions. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tries to make a pass before the Giants defense can get to him, Sunday, September 21, 2025. / Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images “And you always see when we get leads, he's great,” Mahomes said. “He's a great finisher. He's a great closer, being able to give you different looks and stuff like that. And so, we got to take pressure off our defense and put pressure onto them by starting faster, and we can be better at that this week.” Chiefs Kingdom, you’ve found your always free and best source for information; the best way to remain updated is to followon X . And tell us whether you think Spagnuolo can bottle up Jackson and Henry by visiting our Facebook page (Since his freshman year at the University of Colorado, Zak Gilbert has worked 30 years in sports, including 18 NFL seasons. He's spent time with four NFL teams, serving as head of communications for both the Raiders and Browns. A veteran of nine Super Bowls, he most recently worked six seasons in the NFL's New York league office. He now serves as the Kansas City Chiefs Beat Writer On SI
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