Ravens vs Chiefs: This is your complete, easy-to-scan, source-checked Week 4 preview for Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs — who to watch, who’s healthy, where and when to watch, what buzz to track during the game, and smart tips to get the best viewing experience. All time and roster-status notes are current as of September 22, 2025 and link to official sources so you can verify live updates before kickoff.
1) Quick facts (date, time, venue, TV)
- Game: Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs (Ravens vs Chiefs) — NFL Regular Season Week 4
- Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025
- Kickoff (local): 3:25 PM CDT / 4:25 PM ET (check local listings for your zone).
- Venue: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO.
- U.S. TV / broadcast: CBS is the national over-the-air carrier for the game; streaming and international rights vary by region (CBS/Paramount+ streams many CBS games in the U.S.; NFL+ and local rights partners carry international feeds). (Chiefs schedule / NFL game center).
2) Why this game is must-see (short version)
Ravens vs Chiefs is an AFC heavyweight matchup that often decides divisional seeding and playoff momentum. Patrick Mahomes vs Lamar Jackson — two of the game’s most dynamic quarterbacks — plus elite pass rush vs precision offense make for a high-stakes chess match. Both clubs are motivated: Kansas City needs to build consistency after a rough start, and Baltimore wants to prove it can beat the AFC’s best away from home. Recent results and early-season form add urgency to this Week 4 tilt.
3) Key players to watch (because of past records & matchup history)
Below are the players whose historical results, matchup advantages or recent form make them game-definers.
For the Chiefs
- Patrick Mahomes (QB) — Top-tier playmaker, can win with arm or legs. Historically has dominated Baltimore — Mahomes holds a strong head-to-head record versus the Ravens (Mahomes is 4-1 in his career vs Baltimore). Expect Mahomes to try to push the ball vertically and attack mismatches in coverage.
- Travis Kelce (TE) — One of the best mismatch tight ends in NFL history. If Kelce receives consistent targets, he can neutralize linebackers and create spacing for Mahomes. Monitor how Baltimore deploys linebackers/zone to limit him. (Chiefs roster / depth context).
- Chris Jones (DT) — Interior pass rusher who can collapse the pocket and disrupt Lamar Jackson’s timing and lanes. Winning the interior battle will be critical for KC on defense.
For the Ravens
- Lamar Jackson (QB) — MVP-caliber dual threat who forces defenses to account for his running ability as well as passing. Jackson’s historical record vs KC is not in his favor (he’s 1-4 vs the Chiefs), but he always changes a game’s dynamic with his legs and improvisation. Expect Ravens schemes to build quick passing and space for Jackson to attack.
- Mark Andrews (TE) — Baltimore’s safety valve in the red zone and on third downs. Andrews’ route running and contested-catch ability make him a natural Kelce-mirror matchup to watch.
- Roquan Smith (LB) & Ravens front seven — If Baltimore can pressure Mahomes or force quick throws, it swings the advantage. Roquan has been a high-impact defender to start the season and is a matchup to track in run & pass defense.
4) Are the key players fit? — current injury snapshot (what we know now)
In the lead-up to any NFL game the official injury reports change daily. Below are verified status notes as of Sept 22, 2025 — always re-check team injury reports 48–24 hours before kickoff for the latest designations.
- Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs): Practiced through a recent wrist “soreness” episode and started in Week 3 — coach Andy Reid described it as managed swelling, and Mahomes was full participant in practice last week. He is expected to start unless the official report changes.
- Travis Kelce (Chiefs): Active and in the lineup as of the latest reports; Kelce has been fined for a recent on-field gesture but is expected to play. Monitor final injury reports if he’s listed.
- Lamar Jackson (Ravens): Had a practice scare (foot stepped on) earlier this month but X-rays were negative and team reports showed he returned to practice — the Ravens’ official site noted the positive medical update. Jackson is expected to play in Week 4 absent a late change.
- Ravens defensive depth: The Ravens have had some rotation/injury issues on the front line (DT Nnamdi Madubuike was recently sidelined and Kyle Van Noy has missed time with a hamstring), which could affect matchups vs Kansas City’s run game and TE seams. Check the team’s final game report.
Where to check final status (live): the NFL official injury report page and the teams’ official sites are authoritative and updated daily.
5) Historical head-to-head context that matters
- Mahomes vs Ravens (career): Mahomes has historically produced strong numbers against Baltimore — the head-to-head edge favors Mahomes. That historical dominance can shape confidence and how plays are called.
- Lamar vs Chiefs (career): Jackson’s head-to-head record against KC has been tough (1-4), but single games can flip a narrative — Jackson’s mobility always creates playmaking chances that stats don’t fully capture.
History is a guide, not a script — matchups, injuries and in-game adjustments decide the outcome.
6) Where and how to watch (TV / streaming / radio)
- CBS (U.S.) — national broadcast for the game (check local CBS affiliate for channel/time). Many CBS games stream via Paramount+ (with NFL access depending on subscription).
- NFL+ — in-market and international options vary; NFL+ offers condensed replays and device streaming for many fans outside broadcast markets.
- Local radio: Chiefs and Ravens have local flagship stations — check team sites for radio partners and live-audio streams.
Tip: if you’re traveling or planning a watch party, verify regional rights (international feeds typically differ) and set a calendar reminder for the local kickoff time (3:25 PM CDT / 4:25 PM ET).
7) Match-day weather & Arrowhead factor
Arrowhead Stadium is famous for a loud home crowd that often alters communication for visiting teams — this is a true home-field asset for Kansas City. Also check local Kansas City weather on game day; wind or rain can change play-calling (short passes, runs, special teams). Use a trusted weather service the morning of the game. (Venue: GEHA Field at Arrowhead).
8) Storylines & “buzz” to follow during the game
These are the subplots that will dominate social feeds, postgame takes and betting lines:
- Mahomes wrist & pocket time: Watch whether Mahomes is getting clean pockets — pressure will force him to alter mechanics. Any tweaks from the KC offensive line will be noted immediately by commentators.
- Can Ravens slow Kelce & screen plays? Schemes to limit Kelce (Brandon/linebacker assignments, DB angles) will be pivotal for Baltimore’s defense.
- Ravens pass rush vs Chiefs’ quick passing: If Baltimore’s front seven generates pressures, it may stifle Mahomes’ timing; if KC’s OL contains the rush, Mahomes’ timing and quick reads will win drives.
- Special teams & field position: Arrowhead’s atmosphere often influences kickoffs and returns — a single special-teams play can flip momentum in a close game.
- Coaches’ chess match: Andy Reid (Chiefs) vs John Harbaugh (Ravens) — both are excellent game managers and will unload creative play sequences. In-game play-calling adjustments (tempo, 2-minute offense) will decide close moments.
9) Fantasy & betting quick takes (practical)
- Fantasy managers: Mahomes is a start in every format if healthy. Lamar Jackson is similarly must-start in matchup-proof formats due to rushing upside. Kelce and Andrews are high-floor TE plays. Monitor the inactives list and injury report 90 minutes before kickoff.
- Betting pointers: Watch line moves (injuries, weather). If Mahomes is limited or the Ravens’ pass rushers are active, the market may shift toward Baltimore. The total (over/under) will respond to weather and injury news close to game time. (Odds and spreads appear on sportsbook pages).
10) How to read the final injury report properly (two quick rules)
- Check practice participation across the week — “full”, “limited” or “did not practice” is often more useful than a single “questionable” label.
- Wait for the 90-minute official inactive list — the 46/48-player active list (inactives) is the final public decision on who’s playing. Always confirm at that time.
Official resources: team injury pages and the NFL’s daily injury report.
11) Fan-first tips — how to watch & enjoy the game like a pro
- Set up a split-screen: have the coach-cam or live statistics feed open (ESPN / NFL app) while watching the broadcast to catch formations and play-clock changes.
- Pre-game warmup window: watch the last 10 minutes of pregame; you can often see how linemen and starters look in the pregame snaps (a good health indicator).
- Use official streams: avoid gray-market streams — they’re unreliable and may be taken down. Paramount+/NFL+ and official network apps are the safest bets.
12) Where I checked everything (verified sources — live links)
Below are the official, authoritative pages we used so you can cross-verify game time, venue, roster and official injury updates.
- Baltimore Ravens — official 2025 schedule & team news (for injury/practice notes).
https://www.baltimoreravens.com/schedule/ (Baltimore Ravens) - Kansas City Chiefs — official 2025 schedule (game date/time, broadcast info, tickets).
https://www.chiefs.com/schedule/ (Kansas City Chiefs) - NFL Game Center — Ravens at Chiefs Week 4 game page (official game overview & streaming options).
https://www.nfl.com/games/ravens-at-chiefs-2025-reg-4 (NFL.com) - ESPN — game center / live scoring and boxscore (in-game stats).
https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401772741/ravens-chiefs (ESPN.com) - StatMuse — head-to-head and player matchup historical stats (Mahomes vs Ravens / Jackson vs Chiefs).
https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/patrick-mahomes-record-vs-baltimore-ravens
https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/lamar-jackson-record-vs-kansas-city-chiefs (StatMuse) - NFL official injury reports (updated daily):
https://www.nfl.com/injuries/ (NFL.com)
Who will be the MVP of Ravens vs Chiefs (Week 4)?
Final words — a single-paragraph takeaway
Ravens vs Chiefs is a tactical heavyweight fight of the early season: Mahomes’ history of success vs Baltimore and Jackson’s game-changing mobility make this one of the most watchable Week 4 games. Check the official injury reports 48–24 hours before kickoff, tune to CBS/Paramount+ on Sunday, and watch the trenches (pass rush vs protection) — that matchup will decide whether the contest tilts toward explosive plays or a grind-it-out clock management battle.
Disclaimer
This article summarizes verified schedules, roster notes and public reporting as of September 22, 2025. It is informational and not betting, medical or legal advice. Injury reports can change between publication and kickoff; confirm final player statuses through the NFL injury report and the teams’ official sites linked above within 90 minutes of kickoff. TrenBuzz strives for accuracy — if you have a primary-source update, please share it and we’ll update the article. Images used in this article are royalty‑free or licensed for commercial use and are provided here for illustrative purposes.