Chiefs vs. Ravens: What's the Game Plan for Baltimore?

The Baltimore Ravens are looking to end a down 2015 season on a high note as they continue a four-game stretch against playoff contenders to end their season. 

After losing to the Seattle Seahawks last week, Baltimore now plays host to a surging Kansas City Chiefs squad that's won seven straight games. They've gone from a team looking bound for a top-five draft pick to one now expected to make it to the postseason.

That is, assuming they beat Baltimore this week like everyone expects them to. The Ravens may have something to say about that as they look to play the role of playoff spoiler.

Here's what the game plan for Baltimore should be in order to defeat Kansas City.

Offensive Game Plan

The Ravens caught a huge break with news that All-Pro linebacker Justin Houston is out this week with a knee injury, per Kansas City's final injury report. 

Houston has become arguably the best pass-rusher in the NFL as he's racked up 29.5 total sacks over his last 27 games. Twenty-two of them came in 2014 in the midst of a record-breaking season for Houston. 

The linebacker being out this week is a huge plus for the Ravens' struggling pass offense. It makes life much easier for Matt Schaub, Jimmy Clausen or whoever starts for the Ravens this week at quarterback.

Schaub is a better passer and is more mobile than Clausen, so it should be the veteran starting this week, even if he is more prone to turnovers.

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Entering Week 15 Kansas City sports the NFL's seventh-best run defense, but it ranks 14th in pass defense. Especially without Houston, the Chiefs have been more prone to giving up big plays through the air than on the ground.

A good way of doing this is through the screen passing game, as it takes advantage of the Chiefs' aggressive defense that likes to frequently rush the passer. Making this more doable for Baltimore is it's great pass-catching back in Buck Allen.

Since Justin Forsett's season-ending arm injury in Week 11, Allen has caught 26 passes for 239 yards and two scores over his past four games. That's incredible production for a back in the passing game, and he needs to be the focal point of Baltimore's offense against an aggressive Kansas City defense. 

Defensive Game Plan

Even since the Chiefs lost star running back Jamaal Charles to a season-ending ACL tear, their offense has been pretty one-dimensional and often relied on the defense to bring them a win.

Two weeks ago against the Raiders, the Chiefs had just 232 total yards of offense, but won 34-20. That was because their defense forced three turnovers, all of which were interceptions thrown by Raiders quarterback Schaub. 

Last week, Kansas City could only muster up 10 points at home as its defense carried it to a 10-3 win over the 3-10 Chargers. The Chiefs offense hasn't been lighting the world on fire, and it will be one of the easiest units for the Ravens defense to defend this season.

However, the Chiefs' ground game has been very effective this season. The Chiefs enter Week 15 tied for the third-highest rushing yards per attempt average (4.7).

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Kansas City has done well when its been able to focus more on running the ball, but it has struggled when its had to rely on the arm of quarterback Alex Smith.

Smith is the quintessential definition of a game-managing quarterback. Over his last six games, Smith has failed to top 204 passing yards while throwing just 15 touchdowns in 13 games this season. 

Earlier this season when Kansas City was riding a five-game losing streak, Smith was attempting an average of 35.4 passes per game. During the Chiefs' seven-game win streak since then, Smith is attempting just 27 passes per game.

In three games in which Smith has passed for 280-plus yards, the Chiefs are 0-3 this season. Simply put, the Ravens must load the box and stop Kansas City's ground game and force Smith to be the one who beats them. 

More often than not, Smith has shown he's incapable of consistently leading a team to wins when the offense relies heavily on him. 

Matchup to Watch

Eric Fisher vs. Elvis Dumervil 

When the Chiefs do rely on their passing game, the Ravens must be able to get good pressure from Elvis Dumervil. The star outside linebacker is easily the team's best pass-rusher and someone that can keep Smith from ever finding his rhythm in the passing game.

According to Pro Football Focus, Dumervil leads the team in sacks (seven), QB hits (14) and QB hurries (35). The man who he'll look to do most of his damage against is Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher.

Gail Burton/Associated Press

The former No. 1 overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft has been a major bust thus far into his pro career. He's given up 20 QB hurries over his last 11 games and three sacks over his last seven, per PFF. 

That's while playing with a quick-release quarterback in Smith, who gets the ball out about as fast as you'll see from an NFL passer. Dumervil should have a field day against Fisher, and that will play a major role in Baltimore potentially springing the upset. 

Prediction

This is yet another game where the Ravens have nothing to play for, but their opponent has a possible playoff berth at stake. Having that kind of added motivation can help a team grind through the final games of a regular season as it tries and gives itself a chance to compete for a championship.

That's what's at stake here for Kansas City, but Baltimore would love nothing more than to play the role of spoiler. I do think the Ravens will find a way to win one more game this season, but I don't see it coming this week.

The Chiefs defense does enough to keep the Ravens' struggling offense at bay while putting up just enough points to escape Baltimore with a one-score win. 

Final Score: Chiefs 20, Ravens 16