The NFL’s Sunday games were full of swings for every team that participated. The Baltimore Ravens were determined to defeat Patrick Mahomes in his second road game in the Playoffs and help Lamar Jackson reach the Super Bowl for the first time in his career. Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions hoped to win against the dominant San Francisco 49ers by utilizing their defense and three-headed running attack.
During the game, Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes spent the beginning of the game analyzing the opposing defenses, which are arguably two of the best in the league. Each team was able to score a touchdown, but it was the Kansas City Chiefs’ second-quarter play that ultimately won them the game. They scored another touchdown on the ground, from two yards away by Isaiah Pacheco. The Chiefs then had a 9-minute drive that drained the clock. Although the Ravens’ offense was able to diversify their play calling and score in various ways, they were unable to garner multiple chunk plays to put pressure on the Chiefs’ defense and were ultimately blitzed and unable to move up the field.
Mahomes and Kelce were the most important duos on the field. Kelce finished with 11 catches on 11 targets for 116 yards. Once the pressure got to Baltimore, they stopped running the ball, which was their bread and butter this season. In the second half, Kansas City slowed the game down, and the third quarter was scoreless. Baltimore’s defense found ways to get to Patrick, and the offense just could not get over the hump.
During the early drive in the fourth quarter, wide receiver Zay Flowers made two crucial mistakes that deflated Baltimore. First, he received an unsportsmanlike penalty and then he made a big fumble when diving into the end zone to cut the lead to 14-17. This proved to be too much for Baltimore to come back from as there was not enough time left on the clock.
ZAY FLOWERS FUMBLE LEADS TO A TOUCHBACK 🤯😳
CHIEFS BALL.
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/QVfHHfCeQy— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 28, 2024
The Ravens had one more chance with 6:45 left in the game, and Jackson uncharacteristically threw into triple coverage for an interception, which proved to be the final nail in the coffin. It was then time for Kansas City to celebrate. It’ll be their fourth appearance in the Super Bowl since 2019 after their 17-10 win. Pure dominance, and you know America’s favorite father Patrick Mahomes, made the trip to Baltimore and had a special blend cigar he brought to celebrate.
Pat Mahomes Sr, with Cigar in Hand and a jacket that says "Kansas City vs Everybody" — "We're going for 3 and then we're going to go for 4,5,6,7, 8 and 9!" #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/LYBKvwfH9S
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) January 29, 2024
The Detroit Lions came out SMOKING HOT in San Fransisco, scoring in four plays on a Jameson Williams 42-yard touchdown. The defense blitzed the young Brock Purdy and scored another touchdown on the ground by David Montgomery. The 49ers finally scored going into the second quarter, CMC scored one of his two touchdowns in the game. The Lions forced Purdy into an interception and converted a touchdown in the short field with running back Jahmyr Gibbs. They kicked a field goal going into halftime and positioned themselves up 17 points at halftime.
The second half was all San Fransisco. Their defense came out of the locker room looking like a totally different team. The defensive coordinator for the 49ers beat the Lions, who were coached by Dan Campbell when he was an interim coach for the Carolina Panthers. He came out with the perfect gameplay to slow down the Lions’ running attack.
The Detroit Lions didn’t manage to score until the end of the fourth quarter, reducing the ten-point deficit to just three points. This was a significant turnaround in the game, leaving fans wondering if the Lions will ever have another opportunity like they did in the second half.
Nonetheless, we officially have a major matchup in Las Vegas, as the San Fransisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs meet in what could be a shootout or a defensive-stifling matchup.
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