The AFC Championship Recreation contains a showdown between Kansas Metropolis’s Patrick Mahomes and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, two of the most effective quarterbacks within the NFL.
Will Mahomes’ pursuit of a 3rd ring proceed, or will Jackson punch his Tremendous Bowl ticket for the primary time? Here is a breakdown of the AFC Championship Recreation.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (13-6) at Baltimore Ravens (14-4) | Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, CBS
OFFENSE
Chiefs: 22.3 factors per recreation (14th) | 354.8 yards per recreation (eighth)
Ravens: 28.7 factors per recreation (second) | 369.3 yards per recreation (sixth)
The Chiefs offense sputtered all through the common season, but it surely’s discovering its groove on the proper time. Within the postseason, Kansas Metropolis has averaged 26.5 factors, and the bottom assault is flourishing. Second-year RB Isiah Pachecho — who’s battling a toe harm however insists he’ll play Sunday — has rushed for 186 yards, the second most within the playoffs.
Baltimore, in the meantime, continues to roll. In a 34-10 divisional-round victory in opposition to the Houston Texans, the Ravens generated 352 yards. Per the Related Press, Jackson turned the primary QB since 1948 with at the very least two passing TDs, two dashing TDs, 100 dashing yards and a 100 passer ranking in a recreation.
“He’ll be the MVP for a motive,” Mahomes mentioned of Jackson Wednesday. “He goes on the market, leads his crew, he scores, he runs, he throws, he does no matter it takes to win, and that is what the greats do.”
DEFENSE
Chiefs: 17.1 factors per recreation (second) | 292.5 yards per recreation (third)
Ravens: 16.1 factors per recreation (first) | 296.4 yards per recreation (fifth)
Okay.C. depends on its fierce pass-rush and stingy secondary. Within the common season, the Chiefs completed second within the league in sacks (57) and second in passing yards allowed (176.5). Their 18th-ranked run protection (114.9) is a priority, although. In a 27-24 divisional-round win in opposition to Buffalo, it surrendered 182 dashing yards.
Baltimore had probably the most sacks (60) within the common season and tied for the league lead in takeaways (31). Towards the Texans, the Ravens protection allowed no offensive TDs and 213 yards, the bottom determine within the postseason.
Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald is without doubt one of the finest play-callers within the league. On Wednesday, Baltimore All-Professional linebacker Roquan Smith known as him “a wizard” and praised his means to pinpoint offensive weaknesses.
THE PICK
Baltimore is internet hosting a convention championship for the primary time in franchise historical past. Do not be shocked if an impassioned residence crowd is a difference-maker for the Ravens. As of Thursday, FanDuel lists them as a 3.5-point favourite. However it’s onerous to guess in opposition to Mahomes — a two-time league MVP — in a giant recreation.
“I do not like competing in opposition to him in any respect,” Jackson instructed the media Wednesday. “I imagine it is simply two greats, up-and-coming greats, going toe-to-toe like a heavyweight combat. Heavyweight matchup, that is what I see.”
Mahomes, 28, is already tied for seventh in all-time playoff wins (13) and sixth in postseason passing TDs (38). Anticipate him to tug off the upset.
PREDICTION: Chiefs 23-21
