For the fourth time in the last five seasons, the Super Bowl will once again feature the Kansas City Chiefs – the clear heir-apparent to the New England Patriots when it comes to conference supremacy. The reigning AFC Champions successfully defended their title by defeating the Ravens in Baltimore 17-10. Now, they will return to the Super Bowl for a second consecutive season for a chance to repeat there as well.
The AFC Championship featured fireworks early from both teams, scoring first quarter touchdowns. In fact, Kansas City found the end zone in both of their first two possessions to take an early 14-7 lead. After both teams exchanged punts in the second quarter, the Chiefs were able to extend their lead to 17-7 right before halftime.
The score remained as such until 2:34 left in the game, as the second half devolved into a defensive slugfest. Kansas City had five straight drives that ended in punts, but it did not matter. Patrick Mahomes and Co. were doing plenty to eat the clock and let their defense completely styme the Ravens. Their only drive in the second half that did not result in a punt was the kneel-down in victory formation.
Presumptive MVP Lamar Jackson had a difficult afternoon. He completed only 20-of-37 passes for 272, one touchdown and one interception. Baltimore had their chances, but two brutal turnovers in the end zone killed any momentum they were trying to secure.
Rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers fumbled at the goal line, which resulted in a touchback for the Chiefs – who fell victim to one last week in Buffalo. This of course came after Flowers was flagged for taunting at the end of a 54-yard reception. Later, Jackson threw an interception in the end zone into double coverage.
The Ravens were able to find their final points of their season with a Justin Tucker field goal, but it was far too little too late.
Now the Chiefs will once more attempt to be the NFL’s first repeat champions since the 03-04 Patriots. They squandered their last opportunity to accomplish this feat when they were humiliated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their 31-9 Super Bowl LV loss.
No matter who Kansas City’s opponent is, it will be a rematch. Either they will rematch against the Detroit Lions, who they lost to in Week 1 this year, or they will face the San Francisco 49ers in a rematch of Super Bowl LIV.