AFC analysis: Chiefs' defense overcomes mistakes; Ravens prepare for Mahomes
Kansas City, Mo. — Everyone seems to keep waiting for the problems that have plagued the Kansas City Chiefs all season to be their downfall.
The dropped passes. The turnovers. The penalties.
But one thing has yet to fail them: their defense. It showed up again in Sunday night's 27-24 victory in Buffalo, which sent the Chiefs to their sixth consecutive AFC championship game. It kept the Bills out of the end zone in the closing minutes and, when Tyler Bass missed a potential tying field goal wide right, Kansas City was on to the next round in Baltimore.
"The defense really picked it up that second half, and really put it down, even to the last drive where they had to kick that field goal,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Monday. “I thought that was big. They said: ‘Enough is enough. We can’t let them score.'”
The defense has said that a lot this season.
The Chiefs have held their opponent to 24 points or fewer in 18 of 19 games, the best defensive run since the famed “Legion of Boom” in Seattle during the 2013 season. That group, led by Bobby Wagner, Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman, led the league in points, yards and just about every other relevant defensive statistic, and proceeded to stuff the Broncos in the Super Bowl.
“For three quarters offensively, we were moving the ball up and down the field, but we got shut down in the fourth quarter,” said Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who has never lost in the divisional round. “I went over to the defense and told them: ‘Y’all shut it down and we’ll win this football game. We’ll get to the AFC championship game.”
The Chiefs still had issues Sunday night – Mecole Hardman fumbled a ball out of the end zone for a late touchback, which could have cost dearly. But with their defense playing so well, and just two wins away from another Super Bowl ring, perhaps they simply can overcome the problems that have followed Kansas City throughout the season.
“Nothing comes easy, man,” said defensive tackle Chris Jones, who could be headed to free agency and would love a third ring before that happens. “It took a lot of commitment from a lot of guys in order to be successful.”
What's working
Harrison Butker has been as automatic as kickers can be this season. He's made 14 straight field goals, going 6 for 6 in two playoff games. Butker's value was underscored Saturday night, when the Packers missed a tying field goal in the final minutes of their loss to San Francisco, and again Sunday, when the Bills missed one that would have tied their game.
What needs help
The Chiefs have been among the NFL's best against the pass all season, but they have been susceptible to the run. The Bills ran for 182 yards on 39 carries Sunday night, helping them dictate the tempo of the game. And given that QB Josh Allen ran for 72 yards and two scores, that doesn't bode well with the Ravens' Lamar Jackson on deck.
Stock up
Isiah Pacheco touched the ball only 16 times but turned that into 111 yards and a go-ahead touchdown. He also had a battering run on first down in the final minute that allowed the Chiefs to run out the clock on the win. Pacheco dealt with a shoulder injury midway through the season but has been at his best down the stretch and into the playoffs.
Stock down
One week after his effort was questioned in the Chiefs' wild-card win over the Dolphins, Hardman fumbled through the end zone, which could have come back to bite them. Can the Chiefs trust him to play mistake-free going forward?
Injury report
The Chiefs played most of the way without safety Mike Edwards (concussion) and linebacker Willie Gay Jr. (neck), while LG Joe Thuney was expected to have an MRI on Monday for a pectoral injury. Rookie safety Chamarri Conner played well when Edwards went down, and Nick Allegretti did a fine job as a fill-in guard. But the Chiefs planned to use Gay to spy on Allen, who gouged them with his feet, and will likely have him in the same role against Jackson this week.
Key number
6 – The number of seasons that Mahomes has been the starter, and the number of consecutive years that he has led Kansas City to the AFC title game. The previous five were at Arrowhead Stadium while this one will take place in Baltimore.
Up next
The Chiefs have not played a road conference championship game since Jan. 23, 1994, when they lost 30-13 in Buffalo. They won two conference title games on the road before that, though, beating the Bills in 1967 and the Raiders in 1970.
Ravens face big hurdle in Mahomes
Owings Mills, Md. — Yes, John Harbaugh will cop to having some Taylor Swift songs on his phone.
Aside from that, he wasn't playing along when asked about his next opponent's celebrity fan.
“I haven’t been distracted by that at all,” Harbaugh said. “It hasn’t really crossed my mind at all.”
Harbaugh has enough on his plate trying to coach the Baltimore Ravens to their first Super Bowl in 11 years. The last team standing in the way is the Kansas City Chiefs, who will be in town Sunday for the AFC championship game.
That means a showdown with Patrick Mahomes and a stout Kansas City defense.
“He buys time to run, sometimes. He buys time to throw. He’s just a really elusive guy. You’ll see him in space. Sometimes, he’ll make guys miss," Harbaugh said. “It’s just Patrick Mahomes. He’s unique. Plays his own brand of football, been very successful. We’ll just have to study him and do our best to try to keep him under wraps.”
And yes, the Ravens will have to contend with Travis Kelce, the tight end whose romance with Swift has brought the pop superstar to NFL games around the country this season.
Kelce is coming off his first game all season with multiple touchdowns. He scored twice at Buffalo on Sunday night.
It's the fourth time the Ravens have reached the AFC championship game under Harbaugh – the coach is 1-2 in his previous appearances – but the first time with Lamar Jackson at quarterback.
“We’re not in the dance yet, but I’m looking forward to next week, to be honest with you,” Jackson said after Saturday's win over Houston. “I’m not even thinking about the Super Bowl until we handle business.”
What's working
Jackson set career highs in several passing categories for the Ravens this season. He also ran for 821 yards, an exceptional number for a quarterback but nearly 400 lower than his total from his MVP season in 2019.
At times, Jackson has seemed to pick his spots when running the ball, perhaps understanding the importance of staying healthy. But in Baltimore's 34-10 win over Houston, he looked ready to unleash his full repertoire during the postseason.
Jackson ran for 100 yards on 11 carries with two rushing scores to go along with his two passing TDs. He hadn't scored a rushing touchdown since October.
“You’re going to see him there, then you’re going to see him in the end zone. So, I’ll call him a magician,” receiver Zay Flowers said. “You never know where he (is) going to be.”
What needs help
The Baltimore offense sputtered in the second quarter before the Ravens adjusted to the blitzing Houston defense with short passes. Jackson ended up throwing for 152 yards, his lowest total of the season, and if Baltimore wants to take deeper shots against the Chiefs, the star quarterback will need time.
Stock up
Ronald Darby was solid for a defense that overcame the absence of cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who missed the game with a calf injury. Darby started eight games in the regular season.
“Ronald Darby has played outstanding. Brandon Stephens has been outstanding. Arthur Maulet has played outstanding. Rock (Ya-Sin) has played outstanding,” Harbaugh said. “All of those guys have stepped up and played very good. The coverage has just been great, and with Marlon, I promise you – if Marlon can go, he will.”
Stock down
The punt team had a rough day, allowing a 67-yard return for Houston's only touchdown. Jordan Stout also had a 24-yard punt in the first half that led to a field goal by the Texans.
Injuries
TE Mark Andrews (ankle) did not play against the Texans, but he has been practicing, which suggests he could be on the field this weekend for the first time since November.
“We’ll just see how he goes. We’re looking forward to it,” Harbaugh said. "He practiced last week, and I’m sure he’ll practice again this week. If he’s ready to play, he’ll play.”
Key number
5 – The number of false starts committed by Houston in the game, a sign that the Baltimore crowd was having an effect.
Next steps
This is the first time Baltimore will host an AFC championship game since the Colts beat the Oakland Raiders in January 1971. The duel between Mahomes and Jackson is the first playoff matchup between former MVP quarterbacks who are both under 30, according to the NFL.
AFC Championship
Chiefs at Ravens
▶ Kickoff: 3 p.m., Sunday, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
▶ TV/radio: CBS
▶ Records: Kansas City (11-6), Baltimore (13-4)
▶ Line: Ravens by 3 1/2