The Kansas City Chiefs will get a chance to defend their Super Bowl title as they went into M&T Bank Stadium and defeat the Baltimore Ravens 17-10 to make their third Big Game appearance in four years.
The Chiefs forced expected league MVP Lamar Jackson into two turnovers and stopped a would-be touchdown with a forced fumble in the endzone. Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce with a touchdown to set the tone earlt.
Mahiomes opened the scoring with a 19-yard strike to Travis Kelce.
Later in the drive Mahomes scrambled for five on a third-and-three which set up a first-and-goal. Pacheco pounded the ball in from two yards with 10:56 to go in the seconds quarter to give the Chiefs a 14-7 lead.
On the ensuing drive Jackson was hit from behind by Charles Omenihu and fumbled. The Chiefs picked up at The Ravens 33.
The Ravens held, and the Jackson completed a pass to himself for 13 yards.
With under two minutes to go in the half, the Chiefs took over at their own 14, the Ravens committed two personal fouls, and then Mahomes hot Kelce for 21. The drive stalled with back to back holding calls on guard Trey Smith. The Chiefs salvaged it with a Harrison Butker 52 yard Field Goal with four seconds to go in the half to head into the locker room with a 17-7 lead.
Not much happened in the third quarter until Jackson hit a wide open Flowers for 54 yards down to the Chiefs 10. Flowers was called for taunting and moved the ball back to the 25.
The first play of the fourth quarter, Jackson connected with Flower across the middle and as he dove for the goal line, Lajarius Sneed knocked the ball out and the Chiefs recovered for a touchback.
With 6:45 to go in the game, Jackson was picked off by Deon Bush in the endzone.
Justin Tucker hit a 43-yard field goal with 2:34 left to make it 17-10.
Mahomes iced the game as he hit Marquez Valdez-Scantling with a 32 yard reception on third and nine that took the game to the two minute warning.
NOTES…Kelce became the All-time leading receptions leader in the post season as he passed Jerry Rice, who had 151…Omenihu left the game in the second quarter with a knee injury…Mahomes was 30-39 for 241 yards and one toucdown…Pacheco ran 24 times for 68 yards and a touchdown…Kelce caught 11 balls for 116 yards and touchdown. Jackson 20-37 for 272 yards with one touchdown and one interception. he also ran eight times for 54 yards. Flowers caught five balls for 115 yards.
