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It's not surprising that the Ravens are 10 1/2 -point favorites over the Kansas City Chiefs, the largest point spread in their favor for a season opener in the team's 14-year history.
Fresh off a 2-14 season, the Chiefs have endured a rocky summer, firing their offensive coordinator a week ago and watching starting quarterback Matt Cassel injure his left knee Aug. 29.
The Ravens, meanwhile, have rolled through a perfect preseason and appear ready to take that next step - to the Super Bowl.
"This is the year where we have all the pieces," wide receiver Derrick Mason said Monday. "This is the year where we have a great opportunity to not just make it but win it."
If Ravens coaches, who return 18 of 22 starters from a team that made the AFC championship game, have any concern that the team might suffer a letdown, all they have to do is point to last season's opener.
With a new coach and quarterback, the Ravens delivered the major upset of the Cincinnati Bengals, who were 11 1/2 -point favorites.
Asked whether he was concerned that the players would constantly hear about the Chiefs' turmoil, coach John Harbaugh said: "Not for one second. Our guys know they face a huge challenge this weekend against a team that is going to come in here and prove themselves just like our team did in the opener. We have a lot of respect for the Kansas City Chiefs. We know what we're up against. We're looking forward to it."
Harbaugh explained that part of the Ravens' early success was the element of surprise. Teams didn't know what to expect from a first-time head coach and a quarterback in a new system.
Now, Harbaugh is experiencing a role reversal.
"We don't know what they're going to do, and their coach made that pretty clear that's something they're going to use to their full advantage," Harbaugh said. "It's going to be a guessing game as far as what they're going to run and who they're going to put on the field. We're going to do the best we can with that."
The biggest question mark is the Chiefs' quarterback situation. Cassel wore a brace on his injured left knee during Monday's practice and appears questionable for the season opener at the Ravens. It was the first time Cassel has practiced since hurting his knee in the third preseason game.
Chiefs coach Todd Haley was evasive with Kansas City reporters about whether Cassel would play against the Ravens, saying it was a positive sign that the quarterback practiced.
Ravens cornerback Domonique Foxworth said Monday that there wouldn't be much of an adjustment whether it is Cassel or Brodie Croyle or Tyler Thigpen.
"We're going to do what we do week in and week out, no matter who we're playing against or what's going on in their locker room," Foxworth said. "I think we're one of the more stable teams defensively. It's going to be what it's going to be for the Ravens, no matter what's going on."
Cassel is the centerpiece of the Chiefs' rebuilding project after he signed a six-year contract for a guaranteed $28 million. Last season with the New England Patriots, the longtime backup took over for the injured Tom Brady and threw for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns.
"What he did last year with the Patriots was amazing," Foxworth said. "Just to see that he has that ability garners a tremendous amount of respect. We look forward to the opportunity to match up against him."
Unlike the Chiefs, there is little uncertainty with the Ravens. The only players who are considered questionable are right guard Marshal Yanda (knee) and backup tight end L.J. Smith (hamstring).
Compared with Kansas City, the Ravens faced few bumps in breezing through the preseason. They won all four games while outscoring teams 84-39.
"You can't hold much stock in the preseason," Mason said.
In the past five years, six teams have gone undefeated in the preseason. One finished with a winning record (the 2005 Denver Broncos) in the regular season, and another (the 2008 Detroit Lions) lost every game.
"What you want to do is get better each and every preseason game and not get any major injuries," Mason said. "Once the regular season starts, you put all that stuff behind you and try your best to keep the ball rolling."
Harbaugh, though, stressed that the Ravens don't expect to pick up where they left off last season.
"To say we have one more step is absurd," Harbaugh said. "If we want to get to that point, we got to take 18 or 19 steps."
He then added: "It's unspoken that the ultimate goal is to win a championship. We want to become champions. We aren't trying to get somewhere. We want to be something. I think if our guys focus on that every day, we have a chance to win a championship or two."
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
* Reached playoffs
Fresh off a 2-14 season, the Chiefs have endured a rocky summer, firing their offensive coordinator a week ago and watching starting quarterback Matt Cassel injure his left knee Aug. 29.
The Ravens, meanwhile, have rolled through a perfect preseason and appear ready to take that next step - to the Super Bowl.
"This is the year where we have all the pieces," wide receiver Derrick Mason said Monday. "This is the year where we have a great opportunity to not just make it but win it."
If Ravens coaches, who return 18 of 22 starters from a team that made the AFC championship game, have any concern that the team might suffer a letdown, all they have to do is point to last season's opener.
With a new coach and quarterback, the Ravens delivered the major upset of the Cincinnati Bengals, who were 11 1/2 -point favorites.
Asked whether he was concerned that the players would constantly hear about the Chiefs' turmoil, coach John Harbaugh said: "Not for one second. Our guys know they face a huge challenge this weekend against a team that is going to come in here and prove themselves just like our team did in the opener. We have a lot of respect for the Kansas City Chiefs. We know what we're up against. We're looking forward to it."
Harbaugh explained that part of the Ravens' early success was the element of surprise. Teams didn't know what to expect from a first-time head coach and a quarterback in a new system.
Now, Harbaugh is experiencing a role reversal.
"We don't know what they're going to do, and their coach made that pretty clear that's something they're going to use to their full advantage," Harbaugh said. "It's going to be a guessing game as far as what they're going to run and who they're going to put on the field. We're going to do the best we can with that."
The biggest question mark is the Chiefs' quarterback situation. Cassel wore a brace on his injured left knee during Monday's practice and appears questionable for the season opener at the Ravens. It was the first time Cassel has practiced since hurting his knee in the third preseason game.
Chiefs coach Todd Haley was evasive with Kansas City reporters about whether Cassel would play against the Ravens, saying it was a positive sign that the quarterback practiced.
Ravens cornerback Domonique Foxworth said Monday that there wouldn't be much of an adjustment whether it is Cassel or Brodie Croyle or Tyler Thigpen.
"We're going to do what we do week in and week out, no matter who we're playing against or what's going on in their locker room," Foxworth said. "I think we're one of the more stable teams defensively. It's going to be what it's going to be for the Ravens, no matter what's going on."
Cassel is the centerpiece of the Chiefs' rebuilding project after he signed a six-year contract for a guaranteed $28 million. Last season with the New England Patriots, the longtime backup took over for the injured Tom Brady and threw for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns.
"What he did last year with the Patriots was amazing," Foxworth said. "Just to see that he has that ability garners a tremendous amount of respect. We look forward to the opportunity to match up against him."
Unlike the Chiefs, there is little uncertainty with the Ravens. The only players who are considered questionable are right guard Marshal Yanda (knee) and backup tight end L.J. Smith (hamstring).
Compared with Kansas City, the Ravens faced few bumps in breezing through the preseason. They won all four games while outscoring teams 84-39.
"You can't hold much stock in the preseason," Mason said.
In the past five years, six teams have gone undefeated in the preseason. One finished with a winning record (the 2005 Denver Broncos) in the regular season, and another (the 2008 Detroit Lions) lost every game.
"What you want to do is get better each and every preseason game and not get any major injuries," Mason said. "Once the regular season starts, you put all that stuff behind you and try your best to keep the ball rolling."
Harbaugh, though, stressed that the Ravens don't expect to pick up where they left off last season.
"To say we have one more step is absurd," Harbaugh said. "If we want to get to that point, we got to take 18 or 19 steps."
He then added: "It's unspoken that the ultimate goal is to win a championship. We want to become champions. We aren't trying to get somewhere. We want to be something. I think if our guys focus on that every day, we have a chance to win a championship or two."
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Playing as favorites
The Ravens are favored to beat the Kansas City Chiefs by 10 1/2 points. A look at the previous times the Ravens were favored in the season opener:| Yr. | Opponent | Spread | Result |
| '06 | vs. Oakland | -2 | Ravens, 19-14 |
| '04 | at Cleveland | -3 | Browns, 20-3 |
| '02 | at Carolina | -2 | Panthers, 10-7 |
| '01 | vs. Chicago | -10 | Ravens, 17-6 |
| '00 | at Pittsburgh | -3 | Ravens, 16-0 |
Preseasons a precursor?
How the other teams who went undefeated in the preseason fared in the regular season since 2004:| Yr. | Team | Reg. season |
| 2008 | Detroit | 0-16 |
| 2006 | Cincinnati | 8-8 |
| 2006 | N.Y. Giants* | 8-8 |
| 2006 | Carolina | 8-8 |
| 2005 | Denver* | 13-3 |
| 2004 | Carolina | 7-9 |
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And the Royals are better than the O's????
Chris-in-KC (09/11/2009, 9:34 AM )