Chiefs Defeat Ravens to Advance to Super Bowl 58
With a trip to Super Bowl 58 on the line, the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens battled it out in Charm City in the first head-to-head playoff quarterback matchup between Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson. Entering the playoffs, the Chiefs were faced with an up-and-down regular season that included dropped catches from receivers and inconsistent offensive performances. Despite these concerns, Mahomes and the Chiefs have figured out a way to flip the switch in the playoffs, as they have clinched their fourth Super Bowl appearance in the Mahomes era, with a 17-10 victory over the top seed Ravens. Let’s take a look at how the Chiefs were able to continue their reign over the AFC on Sunday afternoon.
The Chiefs would come out swinging on their first drive of the game to make a statement, as they would get the run game going with Isiah Pacheco and would ultimately take a 7-0 lead following a 19-yard touchdown pass to Travis Kelce in the end zone. The Ravens would quickly respond on their second drive of the game to level it up at 7-7, as Jackson would connect with wideout Zay Flowers for a 30-yard touchdown reception. Subsequently, the Chiefs would put together over a nine-minute drive to regain a 14-7 lead, after a two-yard touchdown run by Pacheco. Prior to halftime, the Chiefs would extend their lead to 17-7, after a 52-yard field goal by Harrison Butker.
In the second half, the Ravens’ defense would manage to find success in limiting the Chiefs’ offense, as they failed to score the remainder of the game. Despite this success, the Ravens’ offense failed to capitalize on their opportunities, as the Chiefs’ defense would force two crucial turnovers in the second half. To open up the fourth quarter, the Ravens’ offense started to find a rhythm and would have a chance to cut their deficit to 17-14, with possession in the red zone. However, cornerback L’Jarius Sneed would strip Zay Flowers at the goal line to give the Chiefs possession.
Following a Chiefs’ three-and-out, the Ravens would march down the field again, but Jackson would throw a pass intended for tight end Isaiah Likely into triple-coverage and would be intercepted in the end zone. Prior to the two-minute warning, the Ravens would cut their deficit to 17-10, after a 43-yard field goal by Justin Tucker to keep their chances alive. However, Mahomes would crush any last-second hopes for the Ravens, as he would connect with Marquez Valdes-Scantling on a third down and nine to seal the Chiefs’ victory.
In the loss, Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson would finish the game going 20 for 37, with 272 passing yards, one touchdown and an untimely interception. Jackson would be faced with creative blitz packages all game long from Chiefs' defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. The Ravens’ offense would fail to get their deadly run game going, as they only managed for a total of 81 rushing yards. Despite the lackluster offensive performance, rookie wideout Zay Flowers would be the lone bright spot, as Flowers would compile five catches for 115 yards and a touchdown reception.
In his second-career road playoff game, Mahomes put together another impressive playoff performance, as he finished the game going 30 for 39, with 241 passing yards and one touchdown. The Chiefs would rely heavily on Pacheco and Kelce to lead them towards victory, as Pacheco would finish with 68 yards on 24 carries and one touchdown. Meanwhile, the Ravens' defense would have no answer for Kelce, who finished with 11 catches for 116 yards and a touchdown. The Chiefs will now head to Las Vegas aiming to hoist their second straight Lombardi Trophy and become the first team to do so since the 2003-04 New England Patriots.
