We thought things would be different this time. Things were different. The AFC Championship Game was not being held in Kansas City. Last night the game was hosted by the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore eat M&T Bank Stadium. Not since the 2018 season, when the New England Patriots hosted the Chefs in Foxborough, Massachusetts has there been an AFC championship game outside of Kansas.
For the first time in five years all roads did not go through Kansas City. The Baltimore Ravens were this year’s media darling. With a defense that was one of the best in the National Football League (NFL) and an offense led by MVP candidate Lamar Jackson, the Ravens were the Ones. The Coronation was set. The Ravens were anointed. Everything was in place. Things would be different.
Unlike previous years where he had been nicked up by the long season, or even had sustained substantial injuries causing him to missing playing time, Lamar Jackson was healthy and had a spectacular season, throwing for 3,678 yards with 24 touchdowns, completing 67.2% of his passes and compiled a 10.27 Passer Rating. And he ran for 821 yards. Not since his 2019 season had Jackson compiled a passer rating over 100.
Baltimore’s new Coordinators
The Ravens had two relatively new coordinators. Mike MacDonald, the Defensive Coordinator, is in his second year with Baltimore. He had spent the 2021 season in the college ranks as Michigan’s defensive coordinator. Prior to his time with the Wolverines, Macdonald spent seven seasons in Baltimore in various defensive coaching positions. Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken joined the Ravens this year.
Most recently he served as the offensive coordinator for the University of Georgia Bulldogs as they won back-to-back championships (2021-2022). Monken has worked with several NFL franchises such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars as well. Both coordinators coached up their side of the ball so that the Ravens had both one of the top offenses and defenses in the league. Things would be different.
Every season a team’s personnel changes. There were several key additions this year to the Raven squad. Before last year’s draft, the Ravens traded for linebacker Roquan Smith. This year Smith led the team with 158 tackles, 84 solo. The Ravens raised some eyebrows when they offered Smith a five-year contract before joining the team last year in the amount of $100 million. Smith has become the leader of a strong 3-4 defense.
No one questioned the selection of wide receiver Zay Flowers in this past draft. Flower became Jackson’s go to receiver, accumulating 77 catches for 858 yards this year. Recent high draft picks center Tyler Linderbaum and strong safety Kyle Hamilton have helped transform the Raven squad as well. Things would be different.
AFC Championship Game
The Kansas City Chiefs countered with a squad that seemed weaker than previous years. The Chief offense this year has had difficulties scoring, lacking the explosive plays not seen since Tyreek Hill was part of the team two years ago. The only new addition on offense this year was wide receiver Rashee Rice. On defense, recent top pick defensive end George Karlaftis has become a leader on a defense that is also one of the top rated in the league. Along with defensive tackle Chris Jones, the pair were instrumental in help the Chiefs shut down the vaunted Raven offense.
The Chief Defense held the Raven offense to one score last night. The Ravens had their chances; Zay Flowers would lose the ball crossing the goal line; Lamar Jackson would throw a pass late in the game into the end zone for an interception. The miscues were the difference in the game. Patrick Mahomes completed 11 passes to Travis Kelce for 116 yards. The offense did enough to score 17 points.
Sometimes our mind plays tricks on us. Things were different. But really, they are the same. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Baltimore Ravens 17-10 last night and are going to their fourth Super Bowl in five years.
Barry Schustermann
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