Embrace the defending champions with caution.
The Kansas City Chiefs, who lead the Baltimore Ravens 17–7 in Monday’s AFC Championship game, are in serious position to make it to their third Super Bowl in four years.
The Chiefs made a big impression right away, leading 7-0 after Patrick Mahomes’ 19-yard touchdown pass to Travis Kelce on their opening drive.
Running back Isiah Pacheco was extensively involved on both the ground and in the air as Kansas City slowly worked its way down the field with three consecutive 10-yard plays after forcing an early three-and-out on Baltimore.
The Chiefs were then given a complete set of downs very close to the red zone after Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet was called for holding. Mahomes quickly took advantage of the situation, finding Kelce for the touchdown.
This season, it was the first touchdown that tight end Kyle Hamilton of the Ravens had given up.
However, the Ravens responded immediately when Lamar Jackson showed off his ability to escape the pocket, giving rookie Zay Flowers ample time to find him for a 30-yard score.
It followed impressive running plays of 21 yards by Jackson and 15 yards by running back Gus Edwards, respectively.
With 821 yards and five touchdowns on the ground as of Monday’s game, Jackson is the most well-known rushing quarterback in the NFL; yet, Mahomes can also extend plays with his legs.
And the quarterback for the Chiefs did exactly that, finding Kelce for a crucial 10-yard gain on a third-and-five. Later, he scrambled for four yards on a third-and-3 to extend the Kansas City drive.
Pachecho then drove into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown, giving the Chiefs a 14–7 lead.
On the following drive, the Chiefs defence was able to step up and force Jackson to fumble as he stepped back to pass, with defensive end George Karlaftis diving for the ball.
Considering how fast Baltimore had moved down the field to score following Kansas City’s game-opening touchdown, it might have swung the score in favour of the Chiefs.