When people discuss the team panicking when going down early against the Chiefs, I think it's important to frame the context of the game.
The Ravens had come out with a quick punt and the Chiefs responded by absolutely dismantling the Ravens defense, moving the ball methodically and without resistance to the tune of an easy touchdown (yes, I think it should have been overturned and yes, there were should have been flags happening.)
When the Ravens responded with a touchdown, the Chiefs again scored rather effortlessly, dismantling the Ravens vaunted defense. They just had their way and it appeared that whatever the Chiefs wanted to do was going to work.
Now, be honest- when the Chiefs scored their two touchdowns, how many here thought the team would allow three points the entire rest of the game, including zero in the second half? I didn't. I thought this was going to be a long, back and forth game. And it appears the Ravens felt they were in store for a shootout, too.
Had the Chiefs scored once and the Ravens responded, but then we didn't get another score until the field goal, I think the game looks totally different. Had the Chiefs scored a second half touchdown rather than two on the first two drives, I think the game looks totally different.
Hindsight is obviously 20/20 and the Ravens absolutely had plenty of opportunities to lean on the running game, but I can understand what they might have been thinking. I don't excuse the poor decision making or excuse the lack of running, but I can understand what might have sparked it.