Chiefs Knock Off Ravens To Reach Super Bowl Again

The Kansas City Chiefs went into Baltimore and defeated the Ravens, 17-10, to clinch a berth in the Super Bowl for the fourth time in five years. Kansas City will play the winner of the 49ers-Lions NFC Championship Game in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, Feb. 11, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The Chiefs will attempt to become the first team in 20 years to win the Super Bowl in back-to-back years (2003-2004 New England Patriots).

The city of Baltimore experienced its first AFC Championship Game since the 1970-1971 season, back when the Colts were in the Charm City. Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce came in and ruined Baltimore’s Super Bowl hopes, however. The dynamic duo was just too much for Baltimore’s top-ranked defense. Kelce had a banner day, catching 11 passes on 11 targets for 116 yards (10.5 average) and a touchdown. Mahomes led the Chiefs to touchdowns on their first two drives of the game. Overall, he completed 30 of 39 passes (76.9%) for 241 yards with one touchdown, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 100.5.

Presumptive NFL MVP Lamar Jackson didn’t come up when it mattered most, as he completed 20 of 37 passes (54.1%) for 272 yards with one touchdown, one interceptions, and a pedestrian passer rating of 75.5. The Ravens turned the ball over on back-to-back drives in the fourth quarter. That’s the game right there in a 7-point contest. The first turnover was by rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers, who got stripped by Chiefs All-Pro cornerback L’Jarius Sneed as he was reaching to cross the goal line. On Baltimore’s next drive, Jackson threw an ill-advised pass in triple cover to tight end Isaiah Likely that got picked off by safety Deon Bush in the end zone.

The Ravens got a late field goal by Justin Tucker to cut the Chiefs lead to 17-10, but were unable to make a defensive stop to give the ball back to the offense. On third-and-9 from Kansas City’s 46-yard line, Mahomes completed a 32-yard pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling to seal the win. Valdes-Scantling beat former Steelers cornerback Arthur Maulet on the play.

Jackson now has a 2-4 career playoff record. He has a 6-6 touchdown-interception ratio and a 79.7 passer rating in the six postseason games. Patrick Mahomes improved to 14-3 in the playoffs and will play in his fourth Super Bowl. Mahomes all ready is tied for third all-time in playoff wins, and he’s only 28 years old.