Kelce, protection lead Chiefs previous the Ravens again to the Tremendous Bowl

BALTIMORE — Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is predicted to be named MVP for his unimaginable common season, however Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has saved his finest work for the playoffs.

Teaming up with All-Professional tight finish Travis Kelce on Sunday, Mahomes gained his second straight street postseason recreation with a 17-10 AFC Championship Recreation victory over the top-seeded Ravens. The defending champion Chiefs return to the Tremendous Bowl for the fourth time since 2019, searching for their third title.

After giving up a landing on Baltimore’s second possession, the Chiefs’ protection led the way in which, because it has performed a lot of the season. No play was extra necessary than L’Jarius Sneed’s fumble restoration ultimately zone early within the fourth quarter.

Kansas Metropolis Chiefs

The Chiefs, who for many of this common season appeared extra susceptible than at any time since Mahomes turned their beginning quarterback in 2018, are going again to the Tremendous Bowl.

The Chiefs scored touchdowns on their first two possessions after which used an outstanding defensive recreation plan to beat the Ravens.

Describe the sport in two phrases: Kelce’s recreation. Kelce, who stated throughout the week he needed to win this AFC Championship Recreation “greater than I’ve ever needed one in my life,” performed prefer it. Kelce caught 11 passes, together with the Chiefs’ first landing, for 116 yards. He set an NFL file for postseason catches with 152, breaking the mark held by Jerry Rice.

QB breakdown: Mahomes was on level. He was content material to take principally shorter throws however was capable of make them work. Mahomes was 30-of-39 for 241 yards and a landing. Throwing simply to Kelce, he was 11-of-11.

Pivotal play: Coach Andy Reid had the Chiefs attempt to convert on fourth-and-2 from the Baltimore 41 on their first drive of the sport, and Mahomes accomplished a 13-yard go to Kelce to maintain the drive alive. The Chiefs went on to attain the sport’s first landing — and by no means trailed. — Adam Teicher

Subsequent recreation: Tremendous Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11 vs. winner of San Francisco vs. Detroit.

Baltimore Ravens

Jackson should wait one other 12 months till he can ship on his draft-day promise to carry a Tremendous Bowl to the Ravens.

Jackson and the Ravens offense melted down with three turnovers, which ended the season for the AFC’s No. 1 seed and brought about the primary house AFC Championship Recreation in Ravens historical past to finish in bitter disappointment. The Ravens haven’t reached the Tremendous Bowl since successful it in 2012.

The Ravens are 0-8 in staff historical past when committing three or extra turnovers within the postseason.

Jackson punctuated the struggles of the Ravens offense when he slammed his helmet into the bottom after throwing into triple protection and getting intercepted ultimately zone within the fourth quarter. The Ravens additionally turned the ball over on Jackson getting stripped from behind within the first half and vast receiver Zay Flowers fumbling close to the purpose line. The one different time Baltimore had turned the ball over 3 times was Week 5 in a loss to the Steelers.

The NFL MVP favourite, Jackson completed 20-of-37 for 272 yards, a TD and interception as Baltimore tied a season-low with 10 factors.

QB breakdown: Jackson struggled essentially the most in extending drives. He was 1-of-6 for 7 yards and two sacks on third downs. This was a reversal of fortune for the Ravens, who transformed 42% of their third downs within the common season, which ranked No. 9 within the NFL.

Pivotal play: Flowers’ fumble close to the purpose line within the fourth quarter. With Baltimore down 17-7, Flowers dove towards the top zone with what a landing however then received the ball punched out by Sneed. It marked the primary fumble of the season for Flowers, a 2023 first-rounder who was visibly distraught on the sideline. It was additionally an uncharacteristic mistake by Baltimore as a staff. This was the Ravens’ first crimson zone turnover since Week 5.

Troubling development: Jackson trailed by double digits for less than the fifth time in his six-year profession, but it surely’s the third time this has occurred towards the Chiefs.

It was a foul time for Jackson and the Baltimore offense to supply their slowest begin of the season. Excluding the season finale (when Jackson did not play), the Ravens totaled first-half lows of factors (seven), yards (110) and completions (5).

It wasn’t simply the offense that struggled. The Baltimore protection allowed touchdowns on the primary two drives for the primary time since 2021 towards the Vikings.

Eye-popping stat: Jackson delivered essentially the most distinctive spotlight of the sport within the second quarter, when he caught his personal go. The 13-yard Jackson-to-Jackson connection was the longest completion by a participant to himself within the postseason within the Tremendous Bowl period.

On second-and-5 at his personal 18-yard line, Jackson had his go tipped on the line by security Justin Reid, which deflected the ball excessive within the air. He ran downfield to drag within the go, which was the longest completion by a participant to himself since Kent Graham in 1998 with the New York Giants.

However 4 performs later, the Ravens ended up punting — which was a theme for the sport. — Jamison Hensley

Subsequent recreation: Season over.