Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs could go 20-0 next season but these three teams stand in their way.
The 2021 NFL season will be a very special one because it’s the first one that will feature 17 regular season games. Only one team (the 1972 Miami Dolphins) has ever gone undefeated. The 2007 New England Patriots nearly went 19-0, but thanks to the infamous helmet catch, they went 18-1, and that one loss was in the Super Bowl. No team has ever gone 20-0, but it’s plausible for the Kansas City Chiefs to hit that mark.
Last season, injuries were the only thing that stopped the Chiefs from winning the Super Bowl. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers pass rush annihilated the Chiefs offensive line in the Super Bowl without several of its starters and the Chiefs had several key injuries during the regular season as well.
On paper, Kansas City has never fielded a team this talented. Their offensive line, if healthy, should be among the best in the NFL. They’ll do a great job protecting Patrick Mahomes, who is the most talented quarterback in the league. On top of that, their defense, which finished in the top 10 in fewest points allowed during the regular season, will be returning most of their starters.
Of course, football isn’t played on paper. It’s played on a field in front of over 50,000 screaming fans. The Chiefs certainly have the talent to pull off a 20-0 season, but here are the three teams who have the greatest chance of stopping them.
Who could ruin a 20-0 season for Patrick Mahomes?
3. Baltimore Ravens
In Week 2, the Chiefs will head to Baltimore to face a familiar team in the Ravens. While they’ve beaten them in three straight seasons, it’s worth pointing out Mahomes has yet to face Lamar Jackson’s Ravens on the road in front of fans. Jackson, by the way, has gone 17-6 at home during the regular season.
Historically, Baltimore has been very strong defensively at home. In 2019, the Ravens vaunted defense allowed just five passing touchdowns at home. And while they weren’t as stifling last season, they didn’t have fans in attendance for most of the season.
Ravens fans are going to be rocking at the game because it will (hopefully) be the first time M&T Bank Stadium has had a full capacity crowd since January 2020. While Week 2’s battle against the Ravens is winnable for Mahomes and the Chiefs, it certainly won’t be easy.
Last year, Jackson had a down campaign after his MVP season, largely because of his lack of talented weapons around him. The Ravens did a terrific job this offseason adding talent to their offense, including former Chiefs receiver Sammy Watkins. Also, don’t sleep on second year running back J.K. Dobbins, who was outstanding down the stretch for the Ravens last season.