Ravens vs. Chiefs Conference Championship Preview: Super Bowl Ticket Looms
In the highly-anticipated conference championship, the AFC's top-seeded Baltimore Ravens look to fend off the star-studded Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium. The Sunday afternoon matchup is highlighted by two of the most exciting quarterbacks in the league in Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes.
The third-seeded Chiefs are fresh off a down-to-the-wire 27-24 victory over the Buffalo Bills in Mahomes' first career road playoff game. After a slow start, the Ravens dominated to a 34-10 win over the Houston Texans, punching their first ticket to a conference championship game since winning the Super Bowl in 2012.
Jackson, Mahomes
Jackson made history in the divisional round win: becoming the first NFL player to score two rushing touchdowns, two passing touchdowns, 100 rushing yards, and 100 passer rating in any game – regular season or postseason.
Jackson has led high-flying Baltimore to an average of 33.1 points per game in the past 11 games. Not only did Jackson throw for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns this season, but he also led the team with 821 yards rushing and five touchdowns on the ground.
The Ravens' defense, who led the league in sacks this season, looks to get after Mahomes, breakout receiver Rashee Rice and tight end Travis Kelce. Baltimore faces the challenge of slowing Isiah Pacheco, who caught fire in the victory over the Bills. Pacheco rushed the ball 15 times for 97 yards and a touchdown, adding one catch on one target for 14 yards.
There's a potential for Jackson to be a two-time MVP winner and the shadow of a Super Bowl appearance looms large... However, Mahomes' Chiefs stand in the way. The Chiefs are competing in their sixth straight conference championship game.
FUN FACT: Baltimore is the first team in NFL history to beat 10 teams over .500 in a single season.
WEATHER REPORT: As it stands, the forecast calls for a 40 percent chance of rain with a high temperature of 49.
REGULAR SEASON RECORDS: Baltimore Ravens (13-4) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (11-6)
ODDS: Baltimore is a 3.5-point favorite vs. the Chiefs
GAME TIME: Sunday, Jan. 28th, 2024 at 3 p.m. ET
LOCATION: M&T Bank Stadium - Baltimore, Maryland
TV/RADIO: CBS, 98 ROCK • WBAL 1090 AM • 101.5 FM
THE FINAL WORD Baltimore linebacker Roquan Smith on home field advantage, crediting the fans for helping power the defense:
"It's big," Smith said. "Having our crowd behind us [on] big plays, big stops, it's amazing. And this energy here, it's contagious, and it just helps us on the field more and more."
