Chiefs defense was exposed by Jackson, Ravens

It was only fitting that the Baltimore Ravens would put away a comeback win over the Chiefs by running Lamar Jackson right up the middle when Kansas City needed a fourth-down stop to get the ball back.

The Chiefs knew it was coming; the Ravens had been doing it all game.

They still couldn’t stop it. Nor could the Chiefs stop the run the previous week against the Browns, though some late-game magic from Patrick Mahomes managed to bail them out in Week 1. But when the Kansas City defense allowed Jackson to scamper for a clinching first down with about a minute left Sunday night, it prevented Mahomes from even getting another chance.

The result was a 36-35 loss that ended the Chiefs’ streak of 14 consecutive wins in the month of September.

“When guys are in position, you have to make the tackle,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “We have to do a better job getting off blocks. ... We knew they were a very good run team. Guys pushed through it and got us in a position to win the game.”

Ah, yes — the fumble that also kept the Chiefs from kicking a potential winning field goal.

While the Browns and Ravens have exposed the Chiefs’ inability to stop the run, and their failure to improve this past offseason in an area that also was a problem last year, the fumble by Clyde Edwards-helaire following the 2-minute warning rests as much on Kansas City’s coaching staff as it does anyone else.

You also lose games when you allow an opponent to run for 251 yards and three touchdowns. Or go 4 for 4 in the red zone, 6 for 11 on third downs and convert their only fourth down.