Tag: Justin Madubuike

The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell: Previewing the NFL’s conference championship games

In this week’s “Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar,” the guys get you ready for Ravens-Chiefs, and 49ers-Lions. It’s conference championship time!

And then, there were four! It’s time for the conference championship round of the NFL playoffs, deciding which teams will play in Super Bowl LVIII. Greg Cosell of NFL Films and ESPN’s NFL Matchup, and Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire and the USA Today Sports Media Group, are here to get you ready for the most interesting matchups.

Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens

  • How will Lamar Jackson deal with Steve Spagnuolo’s unconventional blitzes?
  • Can Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco take over this game, and will “pin/pull” continue to be a thing?
  • Will Mike Macdonald’s Ravens defense cause Patrick Mahomes to hesitate in his process with all those coverage disguises?
  • How will Baltimore counter the Chiefs’ effective use of heavy personnel in the run and pass games?

Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers

  • Jared Goff has become much more than just a game manager, so how will Steve Wilks’ 49ers defense deal with that?
  • Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has done a brilliant job coaching up a cornerback-light roster. But will that turn into a pumpkin against Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers offense?
  • Is Brock Purdy’s bad game against the Packers in the divisional round indicative of vulnerabilities that can be exploited here?
  •  Will the Lions’ rookies on both sides of the ball be the ultimate difference in this game?

You can watch this week’s “Xs and Os,” previewing both conference championship games in detail, right here:

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You can also listen and subscribe to the “Xs and Os” podcast on Spotify…

…and on Apple Podcasts.

Ravens vs. Chiefs: 7 early storylines to watch in the AFC Championship game

We’re looking at seven early storylines to watch when the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game

The Kansas City Chiefs travel to Baltimore for the AFC Championship Game to take on the Ravens.  Kickoff at M&T Bank Stadium is slated for 3:00 p.m. ET.

Sunday will mark the Chiefs sixth-consecutive AFC title game appearance, it’s first of the stretch that will be played on the road.

Last Sunday, the Chiefs defeated the Bills in Buffalo 27-24 to advance to the AFC’s final game, while Baltimore is riding high after a 34-10 win over Houston and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

The last time these two teams met was in 2021 in Week 2.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson had two fourth-quarter rushing Touchdowns to defeat the Chiefs 36-35.

Since becoming Kansas City’s head coach in 2013, Andy Reid has been 4-1 through the regular season against the Ravens, while quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been 3-1.

With preparation for the matchup set to begin, here are seven storylines to watch.

Ravens LB Roquan Smith is standing on business

Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith continues to lead a defense that ranks No. 1 in the NFL in points allowed per game.

Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith continues to lead a defense that ranks No. 1 in the NFL in points allowed per game.

The Ravens allowed just 10 points in the AFC Divisional Round versus the Houston Texans and Smith was in on seven tackles.

Just as quarterback Lamar Jackson is the leader on offense, Smith is the Ravens’ leader on defense. When defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald sends in the play call, Smith is responsible for relaying the call to the defense, making sure assignments are met.

Saturday, with all-pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey out, Smith’s vocal presence helped to elevate the play of reserve Ronald Darby. Darby held Texans’ wide receiver Nico Collins under 70 yards while inside linebacker Patrick Queen and Smith held Devin Singletary to just 22 rush yards. 

Queen and Smith combined for 12 tackles in the AFC Divisional game and their speed will have a huge impact on Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce in the AFC Championship.

Surely, Smith will be looking to make his presence felt against Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco next Sunday. Smith embodies the skill, physicality, and awareness to be endlessly disruptive. In front of M&T Bank Stadium this weekend the Chiefs better bring their A-game.

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Ravens to host Chiefs in AFC Championship game

The Baltimore Ravens will host Kansas City in the AFC Championship game after the Chiefs 27-24 win over the Bills in the divisional round

Baltimore will host the AFC title game for the first time since 1971, and it’ll be a matchup for the ages when Lamar Jackson squares off against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Kansas City defeated Buffalo 27-24 in the first road playoff win for Mahomes, and it sets up a matchup of two recent NFL MVPs.

The Chiefs will travel to M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday at 3:00 PM EST in a matchup to see the winner advance to the Super Bowl after Mahomes went 17-23 passing for 215 yards and two touchdowns.

Second-year running back Isaiah Pacheco paced Kansas City with 15 physical carries for 97 yards (6.5) and a critical touchdown. Travis Kelce had five catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns on a night when rumors swirled about his potential retirement.

Kansas City and Baltimore previously met in the postseason following the 2010 season.

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Ravens PFF grades: Best and worst performers from 34-10 win over Texans in divisional round

We’re looking at the highest and lowest graded players in the Baltimore Ravens 34-10 win over the Houston Texans in the divisional round

The Ravens are off to the AFC Championship game after a dominant 34-10 win over the up and coming Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium.

In Saturday’s win, Jackson accounted for four total touchdowns while becoming the first player in NFL history to log two rushing touchdowns, two passing touchdowns, 100 yards rushing, and 100 yards passing in the same game.

With preparation for the championship Sunday set to begin, we’re looking at the highest and lowest graded players in Saturdays win via PFF.

Takeaways and observations from Ravens 34-10 win over Texans in AFC playoffs

We’re looking at takeaways and observations from the Baltimore Ravens 34-10 win over the Houston Texans in the AFC divisional round matchup

Baltimore will host the AFC title game for the first time since January 1971 after a 34-10 divisional-round win over the Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon.

In Saturday’s win, Jackson accounted for four total touchdowns while becoming the first player in NFL history to log two rushing touchdowns, two passing touchdowns, 100 yards rushing, and 100 yards passing in the same game.

With preparation for Championship Sunday set to begin, we’re looking at takeaways and observations from the win.

Ravens snap count vs. Texans: Breakdown, observations from divisional round win

We’re looking at the snap count and playing time percentages for the Ravens in their 34-10 win over the Texans in the AFC Divisional Round

Baltimore will host the AFC title game for the first time since January 1971 after a 34-10 divisional-round win over the Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon.

The Ravens will play in that semifinal round for the fifth time since their arrival in Baltimore. They’ll take on the winner of Sunday’s matchup between Buffalo and Kansas City.

Lamar Jackson was on another level from start to finish and will likely win his second NFL MVP in the coming weeks.

In Saturday’s win, Jackson accounted for four total touchdowns while becoming the first player in NFL history to log two rushing touchdowns, two passing touchdowns, 100 yards rushing, and 100 yards passing in the same game.

The stat line is a credit to offensive coordinator Todd Monken and the Ravens’ ability to develop a scheme that features what the dual-threat quarterback does best.

With preparation for Championship Sunday set to begin, we’re looking at the snap count and playing time percentages from the huge win.

Instant analysis of Ravens 34-10 win overTexans to advance to AFC title game

We’re looking at an instant analysis of the Baltimore Ravens 34-10 win over the Houston Texans in the divisional round to advance to AFC title game

The Ravens avoided the repeat of 2019, advancing to the AFC title game after a dominant 34-10 win over the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium.

The win gave Baltimore two wins over DeMeco Ryan’s team, and the combined scores of 56-19 provide insight into how far Houston has to climb before they start thinking about championship Sunday.

Lamar Jackson was dominant from start to finish and will likely win his second NFL MVP after accounting for 252 yards, four total touchdowns, and a `121.8 quarterback rating.

Mike Macdonald’s defense held Houston to 213 yards of total offense on 47 offensive plays, limiting C.J. Stroud to 19-33 passing for 175 yards and no touchdowns.

After overcoming past failures, here’s the national reaction to the Ravens’ dominant victory.

National reaction to Ravens advancing to AFC Championship game with 34-10 win over Texans

We’re looking at the national reaction to the Baltmore Ravens advancing to the AFC Championship game after a 34-10 iwin over the Houston Texans

The Ravens avoided the repeat of 2019, advancing to the AFC title game after a dominant 34-10 win over the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium.

The win gave Baltimore two wins over DeMeco Ryan’s team, and the combined scores of 56-19 provide insight into how far Houston has to climb before they start thinking about championship Sunday.

Lamar Jackson was dominant from start to finish and will likely win his second NFL MVP after accounting for 252 yards, four total touchdowns, and a `121.8 quarterback rating.

Mike Macdonald’s defense held Houston to 213 yards of total offense on 47 offensive plays, limiting C.J. Stroud to 19-33 passing for 175 yards and no touchdowns.

After overcoming past failures, here’s the national reaction to the Ravens’ dominant victory.

Ravens vs. Texans: 10 takeaway from first half of Divisional Round matchup

We’re looking at ten takeaways from the first half as the Ravens and Texans are tied 10-10 in AFC Divisional Round matchup at M&T Bank Stadium

Baltimore got off to a slow start on Saturday before kicking things into gear on both sides of the football.

All-Pro quarterback Lamar Jackson was 7 of 11 passing, for 52 yards, one touchdown, and a 105.1 quarterback rating. Jackson had runs of 23 yards and 15 yards in the second quarter, scoring a drive that put the Ravens up 10-3 on the youthful Texans.

Houston responded on special teams, as recently elevated running back Steven Sims brought a punt return back 67 yards with 5:00 left in the first half.

With both teams back on the field, we’re looking at ten takeaways from the first half.