5 reasons why the Ravens will beat the Chiefs in AFC Championship game

We’re looking at five reasons why the Baltimore Ravens will defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game

The time has come, and we’re a little over 3 hours from one of the biggest AFC Championship tilts in NFL history when the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium.

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.

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.

With pregame warmups already underway, we’re looking at five reasons the Ravens will win the AFC Championship.

AFC Championship picks: Who the experts are taking in Ravens vs. Chiefs

We’re looking at the NFL expert picks for the AFC Championship game and the Ravens are projected to defeat the Chiefs

We’re a little over 32 hours from one of the biggest AFC Championship tilts in NFL history when the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium.

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.

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.

With preparation for the matchup set to begin, we’re looking at one thing to watch at each offensive position group.

Marlon Humphrey among 3 listed as questionable for AFC Championship game

The Ravens are listing Marlon Humphrey, Rock Ya-Sin and Tylan Wallace as questionable for the AFC Championship game, while Mark Andrews will play

The Ravens released their final injury report, and the team is listing Marlon Humphrey, Rock Ya-Sin and Tylan Wallace as questionable for the AFC Championship game, while Mark Andrews will play after missing six games.

Head Coach John Harbaugh said he is “confident” that Humphrey will play on Sunday, which is a big boost to the secondary. Ronald Darby has played well with Humphrey sidelined, and it could give Baltimore’s secondary even more versatility.

Andrews enters the game with no injury designation.

3 burning questions ahead of Ravens AFC Championship matchup vs. Chiefs

We’re looking at seven burning questions ahead of the AFC Championship Game between the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs travel to Baltimore for the AFC Championship Game to take on the Ravens.

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.

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.

With preparation for the matchup set to begin, here are three burning questions to answer.

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.

WATCH: Chiefs DL Tershawn Wharton sacks Tua Tagovailoa late in fourth quarter

Tershawn Wharton sacked Tua Tagovailoa to keep the #Chiefs in the driver’s seat against the #Dolphins in Week 9.

The Kansas City Chiefs defense held strong late in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday to give Patrick Mahomes a chance to seal a win in Frankfurt, Germany.

Miami was driving downfield facing a seven-point deficit and seemed to be in prime position to score before Chiefs defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton came up with a huge second down sack to knock the Dolphins back.

Initially hit by defensive back Trent McDuffie, Tua Tagovailoa hit the turf when Wharton came in to finish the play and pin Miami far beyond field goal range.

Tagovailoa was pressured again on third down and was forced to throw the ball away to avoid taking yet another sack.

Efforts like these have come to define Kansas City’s defensive identity and with the outcome of the matchup in the balance, two of the Chiefs’ most valuable assets were able to capitalize on an opportunity to change the game.

Chiefs DT Chris Jones praises unselfish play of teammates on defensive line

#Chiefs DT Chris Jones praised the unselfish play of his teammates on the defensive line

The exceptional play of Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones has helped lead the team on its current five-game winning streak. The defensive unit as a whole has played well and has been the primary reason for the recent victories.

The defensive line has undergone its fair share of changes over the years, and the youth added through the draft has begun showing its fantastic promise. Jones spoke with reporters on Wednesday to praise his teammates on the line for their improvement and unselfish play.

“I think as a whole as a D-Line, we’ve asked a lot of people to mature a lot,” Jones explained. “You know, George Karlaftis. Mike Danna getting a starting role for this year. George, coming in second year, first year, he was a starter, you know, asking those guys to mature. We got guys on the bench who can come in and be a starter also Tershawn Wharton, who we brought in, you know, Matt Dickerson, so we got a lot of guys who have been around the system knows the ins and outs of this defense and is comfortable with this defense.”

Jones has been at the forefront with a sack in the five games he’s played this season, showing little rust after missing training camp.

“I think comfortability is a huge thing in being successful, especially amongst the defensive line, because [if] this player is comfortable they can play lights out without thinking,” Jones continued. “Everyone is an unselfish man; everyone is unselfish. I think that’s a huge part of it, being unselfish, playing for one another. Not chasing stats.

“I think this is where success happens, man. When everyone is focused on one goal, it’s more achievable. Then everyone’s focused on different things. And I think we all focus on one goal, and that’s about being better than we were last week, adding our 1% in every day, and by the time we make it to January or December, we’ll continue making strides, and we’ll be where we want to be.”

WATCH: Chiefs DL Tershawn Wharton recovers fumble to keep Kansas City ahead vs. Jets

#Chiefs DL Tershawn Wharton recovered a fumble that helped keep Kansas City in the lead against the #Jets on Sunday night.

The Kansas City Chiefs are in a close game against the New York Jets in Week 4 of their 2023 Super Bowl defense campaign. Up just three points in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs have failed to pull away from New York, but may have turned their fortunes around after veteran defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton recovered a fumble late in the game.

The Jets had a chance to take the lead on a critical drive in the fourth quarter, and Wharton made his presence felt by falling on the ball after Zach Wilson mishandled a routine snap.

This outstanding effort gave Patrick Mahomes a chance to extend Kansas City’s lead late in the game and got the Chiefs’ defense off the field in an absolutely critical spot.

If Kansas City can continue forcing turnovers on plays like these, the Chiefs should have no problem winning more games in 2023 as they seek to earn a top seed for the playoffs.

Andy Reid reveals plans for Chiefs’ preseason opener vs. Saints

Andy Reid told reporters which #Chiefs won’t be competing in Kansas City’s preseason opener against the #Saints on Sunday.

Tomorrow the Kansas City Chiefs will travel to play in a football game for the first time since winning Super Bowl LVII. The long days of practice in training camp developing new schemes will have its first dress rehearsal against the New Orleans Saints.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has monitored his team’s progress over the past two weeks and he will keep a close eye on the young players who are looking to make an impression. The expectations are high for several players to elevate their roles due to off-season moves and availability. Reid revealed to reporters following Friday’s practice his expectations for Sunday’s preseason opener and identified which players aren’t expected to suit up.

According to reports, Reid has announced that all four Chiefs quarterbacks will see the field on Sunday, and the first team will play at least the first quarter.

Several Chiefs are dealing with injuries and will not play during the exhibition matchup, including running back Isiah Pacheco, defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton, tight end Jody Fortson, wide receiver Kadarius Toney, and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed.

The Chiefs went undefeated in last year’s preseason before eventually becoming Super Bowl champions. Previous season’s rookies saw plenty of action in preseason exhibition games, and if Reid continues to follow that formula, it should be a valuable time for this year’s class as well.

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Andy Reid broke down all Chiefs injuries in August 7 press conference

Andy Reid told reporters about all of the #Chiefs’ injuries during Kansas City’s post-practice press conference on Monday.

The Kansas City Chiefs need all hands on deck for their championship defense campaign in 2023, and with several contributors injured ahead of their preseason kickoff on Sunday, all eyes will be on their inactive list this week.

Andy Reid offered reporters an update on the Chiefs’ injuries after practice on Monday, noting the progression of four key players who are at different parts of their recovery processes.

Said Reid: “As far as injuries go, Jody Fortson, L’Jarius Sneed – and his [injury] is better it’s getting there the inflammation we’re working with, and then KT [Kadarius Toney]. Everyone else practiced it was good to get some of the guys that were banged up a little bit out there. Turk [Tershawn Wharton] continues to progress with reps. A little nine-on-seven, so on teams, good to get him in there.”

Though his comment was ambiguous in regard to Fortson’s status, Reid seemed optimistic that Sneed was progressing well. Toney is expected to be out until the start of the regular season and is one of the great unknowns of Kansas City’s 2023 offense at this juncture.

His mention of Wharton’s development was a positive sign for the Chiefs’ defense, which is still without Chris Jones in their front four for the foreseeable future.