What do the 2015 Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs have in common? They both started 1-5 ... and that's it.
Since both clubs' paltry six-game starts, the Chiefs, sans Jamaal Charles, have turned it around, rattling off seven straight to pull into playoff contention. Going into this weekend's matchup with Kansas City, Ravens coach John Harbaugh didn't act like he hasn't noticed.
"We're playing the hottest team in football coming in here," Harbaugh said. "They're doing what we hoped to do after a slow start. But you know what? We have to find a way to win this football game."
Injuries in Baltimore have spread like the plague, specifically targeted at essential veterans. Joe Flacco, Justin Forsett, Dennis Pitta, Steve Smith Sr. and Jeremy Zuttah have all been lost to season-ending injuries -- and that's just on the offense; Terrell Suggs tore his Achilles in the first game of the season. The effect on Baltimore has of course been devastating -- the 4-9 Ravens have resorted to Jimmy Clausen to salvage a season in which the team's one shining moment was a last-second win over the lowlier Browns.
All this must make Harbaugh and the Ravens' roster hot and bothered as they stare across the sidelines Sunday. Kansas City sufferred a similar poor start, albeit not exclusively due to injury, and lost their best offensive player five weeks in to an ACL tear. However, Andy Reid's squad adapted, rebounded and took advantage of an easy schedule behind a stiff defense and smart play.
"I don't think they ever turn the ball over," Harbaugh mused to reporters.
You're right, John! Between Weeks 4 and 13, Alex Smith didn't throw an interception; in that same time span, the Ravens' quarterbacks threw 12. Also, Baltimore has just four defensive interceptions on the season, compared to 18 for the Chiefs.
"They have a few more turnovers -- way more than we do -- so that's what really propelled their season," cornerback Jimmy Smith said. "That has been the story that has not helped us and helped other teams. If I can pinpoint something, I would say defensively it's turnovers and big plays."
Long story short, it's been a lost season in Baltimore, but a salvaged one in K.C., all of which makes Sunday's game in Charm City a melancholy affair.
"We definitely wish our (season) went the same way, too, but you can't really be mad at them or envy them," linebacker C.J. Mosley added. "They're finding ways to win, and we didn't."
