Chiefs @ Ravens tips and picks: Patrick Mahomes can better Lamar Jackson in AFC Championship game
- George Dempsey
- 26 January 2024
The Baltimore Ravens face the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game at MT&T Bank Stadium on Sunday (2000 GMT).
On a scale of one to 10 for how excited you should be to watch this game, I hope you’re about a Jason Kelce diving into the crowd shirtless while meeting Taylor Swift for the first time.
The number one seed Baltimore Ravens and their star quarterback Lamar Jackson are just one game away from Super Bowl LVIII.
The Ravens improved from 10-7 to 13-4 but not only do they possess the best record in the NFL, they’re the only team to allow under 290 points during the regular season.
Tied 10-10 at the half against the Houston Texans, that mean defence reared its head as the team produced a 24-0 shutout in the second half.
As good as they are behind the ball, they’re lethal in possession. The dual threat of Jackson threw for two touchdowns but also rushed for 100 yards and punched in two of his own.
Standing in their way is a team and a man who has been there and got the t-shirt. Patrick Mahones and the Kansas City Chiefs are looking to reach their second Super Bowl.
They’ve made the AFC Championship in each of the last six seasons and the Super Bowl is three of four, with Mahomes claiming MVP in their two victories.
After starting 6-2, Andy Reid‘s side made hard work of the tail end of the regular season to finish 11-6, but their experience and character allowed their qualities to show when it mattered.
It was end-to-end and backed to the wall in Buffalo, but the Chiefs' defence came up with the big stops when needed.
Travis Kelce registered just five touchdowns during the regular season but crossed the line twice in Buffalo, much to the delight of his brother.
It’s not easy picking a winner in this game but we’ve been here so many times before with the Chiefs, you have to trust them.
Top players raise their games in big games and against big players, and Mahomes is 3-1 against Jackson putting up huge yardage in all of those wins.
On the flip side, he’ll have to work incredibly hard for those looks. Baltimore’s defence is intelligent and opportunistic and the offence has the best run game in the NFL.
There’s little doubt this comes down to the final possession and we think it could mirror the game in Buffalo, so the total looks a touch low at 45 points.
We’ll happily pay the juice and take a smaller price to take advantage of the +5.5 spread on offer at Planet Sport Bet, as this game will be decided by no more than five points.
