Chiefs vs. Ravens highlights: How KC locked up its second consecutive AFC championship
Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs are heading back to the Super Bowl.
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift will be there, too.
Mahomes threw a touchdown to Kelce in the first quarter, Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco ran for another, and the Chiefs beat NFL MVP favorite Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens 17-10 to win the AFC championship game on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
The Chiefs advance to the Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas on Feb. 11, and await the winner of the NFC championship game between the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers.
The Chiefs hope to repeat as NFL champions after winning it all last year, and after the 2019 season. It’s Kansas City’s fourth trip to the Super Bowl over the last five years after playing in the past six AFC championship games.
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Mahomes finished 30 of 39 for 241 yards with a touchdown, finding his favorite target in Kelce, who finished with 11 catches for 116 yards to break Jerry Rice’s record for catches in postseason history. Pacheco added 68 yards rushing for the Chiefs.
Jackson threw an interception in the fourth quarter — one series after rookie receiver Zay Flowers was penalized for taunting after a catch inside the 10-yard line and fumbled at the goal line for a crucial turnover.
Jackson finished 20 of 37 for 272 yards passing with a touchdown and interception, and rushed the ball eight times for 54 yards for Baltimore. Flowers led the Ravens with 115 yards on five catches. — Safid Deen
Chiefs-Ravens highlights from AFC championship game
Chiefs-Ravens winners, losers from AFC championship game
WINNERS
Andy Reid’s first quarter coaching calls — This is why he’s one of the best to ever do it. Reid was calculated and confident in his decisions early in the first quarter. Namely, he trusted his defense to deliver a quick stop on the game’s opening drive after Kansas City won the coin toss and deferred. Then, he compounded the gains from that choice on the subsequent Chiefs series by going for it on fourth-and-2 from Baltimore’s 41-yard line. The play call wasn’t bad either; Mahomes took the shotgun snap, rolled to his right to get the Ravens defense off balance and found tight end Travis Kelce streaking across the middle of the field for 13 yards. The Chiefs would score, on a Kelce 19-yard grab, to take an early lead. In a close conference title game, in a hostile environment, these are the types of decisions that can win games. And, considering that Kansas City kicked a field goal just before halftime only to receive the kickoff to start the third quarter, Reid’s decisions played out perfectly.
Travis Kelce — Things are going well for him. He’s thriving off the field and he remains a force on it, especially in the playoffs. Kelce was dominant against the Ravens, catching all 11 of his targets for 116 yards and a touchdown. He broke all-time great Jerry Rice’s NFL record for most career receptions and tied Rice for most career postseason games with at least 100 receiving yards (eight).
LOSERS
Todd Monken’s inability to adjust — This season, among players with at least 250 passing attempts, Lamar Jackson ranked sixth in average time to throw at 2.95 seconds. Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo dialed up a consistent amount of pressure all game long. And if Baltimore offensive coordinator wasn’t expecting that, he at least should’ve done a far better job of adjusting. Monken continued to call seven-step drops and plays that took too long to develop, allowing Kansas City’s pass rush to disrupt the timing of Baltimore’s passing attack. Not only that, but Monken also didn’t see that Kansas City’s secondary was too tight down the field. Making matters worse, Monken completely abandoned the rushing game, which was Baltimore’s strength all season long.
Ravens drop early-game ball control edge — Kansas City knew the best defense against Lamar Jackson was, simply, to keep him off the field. The Chiefs, on both offense and defense, did their part. Midway through the second quarter, both teams had recorded three offensive possessions. In that span, the Chiefs led in time of possession (17:55 to 5:47), offensive plays (33 to 13), total yards (176 to 86), third down conversions (five-of-seven to one-of-three), trips to the red zone (three, with two conversions, to none), first downs (13 to four) and — most importantly — points (14 to 7). By the time halftime rolled around, Baltimore was actually losing the TOP battle 20:39 to 9:21. — Lorenzo Reyes
Can Taylor Swift make it from Tokyo to Super Bowl? In a word, yes!
It’s going to take a marathon of a trip after a marathon of a show for Taylor Swift to get to the Super Bowl.
Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce and his Kansas City Chiefs advanced to the NFL’s title game on Feb. 11 in Las Vegas. The pop superstar has been a frequent presence at Kansas City’s games this season, including Sunday's AFC championship, and it seems unlikely she wouldn’t be present to watch the guy on the Chiefs try to win his third Super Bowl. But she wraps up a four-show stop of her Eras Tour in Tokyo the day before.
Can she get from one place to the other? In a word, yes!
Swift’s concert begins at 6 p.m. Saturday in Tokyo, which is 17 hours ahead of Las Vegas. Her shows last 3½ hours so, even allowing time for her to change and pack, figure she could be ready to go by 10:30 p.m. That’s 5:30 a.m. Saturday in Las Vegas.
The flight from Tokyo to Vegas is about 12 hours, which includes a stop, typically in Los Angeles. But that’s on a commercial flight, and Swift has a private jet. So even if she has to stop to refuel, she could be in Las Vegas by early evening Saturday night.
Plenty of time to get a good night’s sleep and be ready for the Super Bowl, which doesn’t kick off until 3:30 p.m. local time Sunday. — Nancy Armour
Chiefs-Ravens score
- Chiefs — 17
- Ravens — 10
- Final
Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift celebrate Chiefs AFC championship
Travis Kelce is living the good life.
The All-Pro tight end is heading to his second consecutive Super Bowl and fourth overall after the Chiefs defeated the Ravens in the AFC championship game. The Kansas City star more-than did his part with 11 receptions for 116 yards while breaking Jerry Rice's record for most career catches in the postseason.
And, of course, he's dating pop icon Taylor Swift, who greeted him on the field after the game to celebrate. — Casey Moore
Patrick Mahomes, Marquez Valdes-Scantling call game
The Chiefs possessed the football with 2:34 left in the game and milked the clock all the way down.
The Ravens had stopped Kansas City on first and second down, but on third-and-9 with 2:19 remaining in the game, Patrick Mahomes tossed a deep 32-yard pass to wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a first down just before the two-minute warning.
After the two-minute warning, the Chiefs got into victory formation and celebrated the victory. — Tyler Dragon
Ravens score: Justin Tucker 43-yard field goal
Justin Tucker scored the first points of the second half with 2:38 left in the game.
The league’s highest-paid kicker nailed a 43-yard field goal to bring the Ravens within one score.
On the drive, Lamar Jackson completed a series of passes, including an 11-yard throw to running back Justice Hill. Then three incompletions left Baltimore facing fourth-and-5 and Tucker scored.
The Chiefs are up 17-10. — Victoria Hernandez
Lamar Jackson throws interception in the end zone
The Ravens are running out of chances.
Lamar Jackson threw a pick in the end zone with just under seven minutes left in the AFC championship game.
On second-and-10 from the Kansas City 25, the NFL MVP candidate threw downfield trying to hit Isaiah Likely. The tight end was triple teamed and Chiefs safety Deon Bush jumped in front of the throw to snag the interception.
Veteran receiver Odell Beckham Jr. grabbed two catches on the drive.
But instead of scoring to help the Super Bowl champ return to the big game, the Ravens ended up committing their third turnover of the day. — Victoria Hernandez
Chiefs punt for fifth time
The Chiefs have punted on four consecutive drives.
After Zay Flowers’ costly fumble, the Chiefs offense was forced to punt the football in seven plays.
Ravens defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was called for a roughing the passer penalty that helped Kansas City extend its drive, but team failed to convert a third-and-13 and were forced to punt with 10:44 remaining in the game. — Tyler Dragon
Why does Baltimore have 'M' colored differently in the end zone?
Fans who are tuning into the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium might be confused as to why two letters in "Baltimore" in the end zone are a different color. The "MO" is colored all gold while the rest of the letters are white.
This is to pay tribute to Mo Gaba, a Ravens and Orioles superfan who passed away from cancer as a young teenager in 2020. He would have celebrated his 18th birthday on Friday.
The Ravens posted a picture on X, formerly Twitter, of Lamar Jackson with Gaba to commemorate the day.
Per CBS News, Gaba started appearing on Baltimore’s 105.7 The Fan when he was 9 years old and became a beloved figure in the local sports community.
In 2019, Gaba was the first person to read a pick written in braille during the NFL draft. The Ravens selected guard Ben Powers in the fourth round. — Victoria Hernandez
Zay Flowers touchdown nullified by end zone fumble
The Ravens left a touchdown on the table to start the fourth quarter and it resulted in their second turnover of the game.
On second-and-8, Lamar Jackson threw a short pass to Zay Flowers, who caught it at about the 8-yard line and turned downfield. When he reached the end zone, he reached out to try to put the ball across the goal line. But Chiefs cornerback L'Jarius Sneed swiped at the rookie and the ball bobbled out for a fumble. It bounced in the end zone and cornerback Trent McDuffie landed on it.
The play was ruled a touchback and the Chiefs offense got the ball at the 20.
On the drive, Flowers made a monster 54-yard catch, but he was flagged for taunting when he stood over Sneed after being tackled. — Victoria Hernandez
Joe Burrow says let the players taunt in playoff game
For all the smack both teams have shared in this one, the last thing fans want is for referees to step in the middle of it.
Ravens receiver Zay Flowers was penalized for taunting after a 54-yard catch, when he stood over Chiefs defender L'Jarius Sneed, causing referees to throw a flag.
One star NFL quarterback says let the players play, and even more.
"Let the guys taunt," Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said on Twitter. — Safid Deen
End of third quarter: Chiefs 17, Ravens 7
The third quarter ended with no points added to the scoreboard, the first scoreless quarter of the game.
The Chiefs are still holding onto a 17-7 advantage into the fourth period.
The Ravens failed to cut into their deficit, but they are in the red zone entering the final quarter.
Lamar Jackson had 109 passing yards in the third period. Wide receiver Zay Flowers caught a long 54-yard pass from Jackson with under one minute to go in the third.
The Chiefs were held to just 44 yards and two first downs in the quarter. Patrick Mahomes was held to 28 passing yards. — Tyler Dragon
Chiefs offense forced to punt again
The Ravens are still in it. And the Chiefs offense has lost its rhythm in the second half.
Patrick Mahomes was unable to handle Baltimore’s pass rush, and running back Isiah Pacheco ran for four yards on two plays during Kansas City’s three-and-out.
Maybe, it was Baltimore introducing longtime defensive lineman Terrell Suggs to its home crowd that provided a spark.
It’s the third straight punt for the Chiefs, and fourth in their last five possessions. — Safid Deen
Lamar Jackson sacked to force another punt
The Ravens sputtered yet again.
This time, on third-and-9 from Kansas City’s 41, Lamar Jackson dropped back and tried to scurry around, but Chiefs safety Justin Reid wrapped him up for a sack. Baltimore was forced to punt for the fifth time this game.
The drive started well with a 16-yard pass from Jackson to Gus Edwards and then the quarterback ran for another 11 yards. But a few plays later, guard John Simpson was called for a holding penalty that sent the Ravens back 10 yards.
Baltimore is still down 17-7. — Victoria Hernandez
Chiefs injury: Charles Omenihu ruled out
The Chiefs downgraded DE Charles Omenihu to out.
Omenihu suffered a knee injury in the second quarter. He walked to the sideline before he was escorted to the locker room.
The Chiefs originally deemed Omenihu questionable but downgraded the defensive end in the third quarter.
Omenihu made a big impact before his exit. The defensive end had a strip sack on Lamar Jackson in the first quarter. — Tyler Dragon
Ravens go three-and-out to start second half
The Chiefs punted on their first drive of the second half and the Ravens didn’t fare any better, going three-and-out.
Gus Edwards ran for one yard, Zay Flowers ran for three and a Lamar Jackson throw fell to the turf. So Jordan Stout punted the ball away.
It was the Ravens’ fourth punt of the day. They remain down 17-7. — Victoria Hernandez
Chiefs first drive of second half ends in punt
Travis Kelce has 10 catches and 102 yards with a touchdown in this game.
Kelce’s 10th catch, which netted six yards, came during Kansas City’s first drive of the second half, but the drive ended after three plays. The Chiefs were unable to convert on third-and-3, with Mahomes looking for receiver Justin Watson blanketed in coverage.
Baltimore gets the ball back after Kansas City’s three-and-out. — Safid Deen
Ravens halftime leaders
- Passing: Lamar Jackson 5-12, 67 yards, TD
- Rushing: Lamar Jackson: 4 carries, 27 yards
- Receiving: Zay Flowers 2 receptions, 39 yards, TD
- Defense: Roquan Smith 10 tackles; Kyle Hamilton 9 tackles, tackle for loss
Chiefs halftime leaders
- Passing: Patrick Mahomes 20-25, 161 yards, TD
- Rushing: Isiah Pacheco 14 carries, 41 yards, TD
- Receiving: Travis Kelce 9 receptions, 96 yards, TD
- Defense: Drue Tranquill 4 tackles; Charles Omenihu 1 sack; George Karlaftis 1 fumble recovery
Halftime: Chiefs 17, Ravens 7
The Chiefs have dominated possession for the first half of the AFC championshp game and as a result, they carry a 17-7 lead into the locker room at M&T Bank Stadium.
Completing his first 11 passes of the game, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is 20-for-25 for 161 yards and a touchdown at the break. He's also added 18 more yards on the ground.
Kansas City has outgained Baltimore 221-111 in total offense, going 5-for-8 on third down conversions and 1-of-2 on fourth down. The halftime margin could have been even larger if the Ravens hadn't stopped Isiah Pacheco on a fourth-and-1 run at the Baltimore 13 late in the second quarter.
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce leads all receivers with nine catches for 96 yards and a touchdown, while Pacheco is the game's leading ball-carrier with 14 rushes for 41 yards and a score.
For the Ravens, Lamar Jackson is just 5-for-12 passing for 67 yards — with one of those completions to himself on a pass that was deflected at the line of scrimmage. Jackson is also the team's leading rusher with 27 yards on four carries.
Kansas City will receive the kickoff to start the second half. — Steve Gardner
Chiefs score: Harrison Butker 52-yard field goal
Two roughing the passer penalties helped the Chiefs march down the field on an eight-play, 55-yard drive that led to a field goal.
After the two penalties, Patrick Mahomes tossed a 21-yard pass to tight end Travis Kelce to put the Chiefs in field-goal range. The Chiefs were then called for holding penalties on separate plays and had to settle for a 52-yard field goal by Harrison Butker to lift them to a 17-7 lead just before halftime. — Tyler Dragon
Ravens defense holds Chiefs to first three-and-out
The Chiefs were forced to punt for the first time in the AFC championship game after going three-and-out.
Patrick Mahomes threw three incomplete passes during the series and Kansas City had to punt the football back to the Ravens with under three minutes remaining in the second quarter. — Tyler Dragon
WATCH: Lamar Jackson throws it to … himself
How about that, Gisele?
Tom Brady’s ex-wife Gisele Bündchen once said, "My husband cannot f