(Photo: The Ringer)

AFC Championship

(3) Kansas City Chiefs at (1) Baltimore Ravens

Chiefs: If you are looking to see what championship pedigree is, look no further than what they put on display on Sunday night in Orchard Park, New York. This was a different scenario for them. For years, they’ve had the luxury of having teams travel to them and being able to play at home in front of those fans at Arrowhead. That wasn’t the case this time and for the first time in his career, Patrick Mahomes was playing in a playoff game on the road. Don’t think he didn’t hear all of the talk and chatter about that. It was just another day at the office for him and his football team. Throughout the year, the Chiefs offense had sputtered. I even remember saying they didn’t scare at the time and rightfully so because the Quarterback was turning the football over here and there along with pass catchers not catching the football. I’ve seen the ball be thrown perfectly and it just bounces off their hands and onto the ground. I even remember saying that they may look shaky now, but come playoff time, they will hit that switch and turn it on when necessary. Here we are. That game against the Bills was their best display of football I’ve seen from them all year. The offense ran the football and wore down the Buffalo defense. I keep telling people that running the football does indeed matter these days. Mahomes spread the ball around and found old reliable over the middle and for two touchdowns, I’m talking about Travis Kelce. However, my biggest takeaway came from their defense because they adjusted so well in the second half of the football game. When playing Josh Allen, you must account for his versatility because he will hurt you with both his arm and legs. The Chiefs played with that spy and contained the Quarterback which made him throw from the pocket. It’s another season in the AFC Title game and they will look for another trip to the Super Bowl on Sunday afternoon.

Ravens: You always wonder how a one seed will fare after that week off. Rest can unfortunately be mistaken for rust in many instances. In a year where there has been some parody, they have been so consistent and then some. Trust me, I’ve seen my share of them over the years. 2000 speaks for itself and to this day, that’s the greatest defense I’ve seen play our game in all my years of watching football, 2006, they were the two seed in the AFC playoffs and I even look back to the 2019 group that won 14 games. This has been their most consistent group that I’ve seen in recent memory. The offense is more balanced now than it’s been in years, Lamar Jackson has shown much more poise from the pocket and just doesn’t depend on running with the ball as much as he once did. He drops backs, makes his reads and if he doesn’t have that one look he wants, he will take it himself and do the rest. What makes this Ravens team so special? They can score and they have speed in doing so, the Offensive Line is downhill and physical along with a much improved group of receivers making plays on the ball. On the other side of the ball, this is a staple. Defense, defense and defense. This is what will forever grab my attention when it comes to Baltimore Ravens football. They don’t have that one guy you must circle in on at all times and I say that because you never know who it is they are going to throw at you. In other words, they will execute their attack as the football is snapped which has made them such a force this year. Against Houston last Saturday, the Texans appeared to be up for the challenge in making life difficult for Lamar and they had that spy on him. Then, DeMeco Ryans decided to be bold and blitz him. Look what ended up happening. They unfortunately over pursued Lamar and that opened up lanes for him to maneuver through. Entering that game, Lamar’s playoff record came up multiple times. He now has two playoff wins under his belt. I still remember when he was drafted and he said they’d get a Super Bowl out of him. He’s a game away now from the ultimate goal. The Ravens will host the AFC Championship Game on Sunday afternoon at the bank.

Chiefs X-Factor: Willie Gay Jr.– He’s just as important to this defense as Chris Jones, Nick Bolton, George Karlaftis and L’Jarius Sneed all are. Look what he was able to do on Sunday in the win against the Buffalo Bills.Willie drew the assignment of Josh Allen and did a phenomenal job containing him and mirroring him in the pocket before exiting the game with a neck injury. Now, he could potentially have his hands full in attempting to limit the best rushing Quarterback in our league today. I can’t wait to see what the Kansas City defense has in their gameplan for Lamar on Sunday.

Ravens X-Factor: Roquan Smith– I loved him at Georgia during his college days, loved him with the Chicago Bears and he’s becoming the unquestioned leader of this defense in Baltimore. On a defense where everyone has their roles and responsibilities, Roquan is the man in the middle for this elite Ravens defense. He’s that Linebacker that plays sideline to sideline who also flies to the football. His closing speed amazes me because he can be in one area, then you turn around and he’s right there near the football. Roquan plays with that nasty streak that you want out of your defenders. He does all he can to make the best play possible.

Final Thoughts: What a game this should be. You have the best Quarterback playing the position now in his prime who won MVP and a Super Bowl last season against the projected favorite to win the Most Valuable Player award this year. We’re finally getting Mahomes and Lamar in the postseason! Patrick Mahomes has been a starter in this league for six seasons and each year, he’s played in the AFC title game. That’s remarkable and this will be Lamar’s first time. I already know for a fact this stadium will be loud and rocking here for this game. One key for both teams, do NOT blitz these Quarterbacks because they will each make you pay. Baltimore knows what they must do. Double or triple Kelce. Even if they don’t eliminate him completely, take him down as soon as the ball hits his hands. One matchup I’ll be watching in this game is Kelce lining up against Kyle Hamilton. I’ll also be watching this Chiefs ground attack against this Baltimore front seven. If Baltimore can shut that ground game down and make Mahomes get those other weapons in the passing game more involved, it’ll be a tough day at the office. For the Chiefs, it’s simple. Contain Lamar and the message should be simple. He’s throwing the football from the pocket. No mobility whatsoever! Can the Chiefs also tighten things up in the running aspect because that’s where they can struggle at times which is stopping the run. Also, they must establish Pacheco early on and stick with it along with avoiding risky plays which could lead to turnovers. I expect this game to be close. This will come down to experience which favors the Chiefs. I like Kansas City to get back to the Super Bowl here.

Prediction: Chiefs 28, Ravens 24