Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and company knocked off the Buffalo Bills on the road last week and now face the mighty Ravens and their tremendous defense, led by linebackers Patrick Queen and Roquan Smith. This will be a great game as the Chiefs (in their sixth consecutive AFC title game) look to get back to the Super Bowl and try to become the first team in 19 seasons to repeat as champions.
The Ravens crushed the upstart Houston Texans in the divisional round and QB Lamar Jackson scored two rushing touchdowns and also threw for two more to lead the rout. The Baltimore defense held the Texans without an offensive touchdown in the game and snuffed out any hopes for a comeback after a 24-0 barrage in the second half. Both Baltimore (60 QB sacks) and Kansas City (57 sacks) can get after opposing quarterbacks, which could lead to more running in the game.
Both teams can run the football, but the Ravens clearly have the
edge in that area. Running back Gus Edwards (820 rushing yards this
season along with 13 touchdowns) has been superb this season and of
course Jackson is the best rushing QB in the NFL. The Chiefs have Isiah
Pacheco (935 yards, seven TD) and Mahomes is always a threat to use his
legs to gain crucial yardage when necessary.
The Chiefs know they have what it takes to win on the road and they have been to three Super Bowls in the last four years, winning two of them. Meanwhile, the Ravens have been ousted in the playoffs in either the wild card or divisional round every season Jackson has been with them in the post-season. This is their first AFC Championship game appearance since 2012, when they went on to win the Super Bowl against the San Francisco 49ers.
Much has been said of Kansas City wide receivers dropping passes this past season, but Rashee Rice (79 receptions, 938 yards, seven TD) has stepped up in recent weeks and along with tight end Travis Kelce provides a solid target for Mahomes to throw to. Baltimore had a definite upgrade in their receiving corps this season as rookie Zay Flowers (team high 77 receptions) and tight end Isaiah Likely (playing in place of injured Mark Andrews) have made a difference along with Odell Beckham, Jr., Nelson Agholor and Rashod Bateman stepping up.
If the Chiefs can get off to a fast start and establish a lead, it remains to be seen whether Jackson and company can muster enough offense to come back from a deficit, which is something the Ravens haven't had to do much of this past season. Odds are the Ravens defense will do enough to prevent that problem and it will be the Chiefs playing from behind.
PREDICTION - Baltimore 28, Kansas City 20
Last Week's Record - 3-1
PLAYOFFS RECORD - 6-4
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