The pundits are split in their predictions for the matchup between the Ravens and Chiefs for the AFC championship.
Here’s the roundup
Analysis: “The Chiefs are the defending Super Bowl champions and have a mystique because of Patrick Mahomes and their success in the postseason, advancing to the Super Bowl in three of the past four years. Kansas City had some struggles this past season, particularly with dropped passes, and was forced to travel in the playoffs for the first time in Mahomes’ career. The Ravens have been at their best in big games and are determined to bring a championship back to Baltimore. Lamar Jackson is playing at an MVP level and is coming off his best game in the playoffs.”
Prediction: Ravens 28, Chiefs 25
Analysis: “This game marks the first playoff meeting between Mahomes and Jackson. In the regular season, Mahomes is 3-1 against Jackson, which is the most wins of any starting quarterback against Jackson (regular season and playoffs). In their most recent meeting in 2021, Jackson beat Mahomes and the Chiefs by rushing for 107 yards and scoring three touchdowns, including flipping into the end zone for the winning score.”
Prediction: Moody’s pick: Ravens 25, Chiefs, 21;
Walder’s pick: Ravens 26, Chiefs 20
Analysis: “Patrick Mahomes vs. Lamar Jackson for a spot in the Super Bowl. Does it get better than this?! Certainly not after the last five months. The Ravens have steamrolled their way to the conference championship, thanks to a combination of MVP-caliber play from Jackson and a No. 1 scoring defense that has suffocated even the most elite offenses. The Chiefs’ road hasn’t been quite as smooth, but they’re here. And it’d be downright irresponsible to completely count out Patrick Mahomes.” — Brooke Cersosimo
Prediction: Ravens 26, Chiefs 24
Analysis: “The Ravens are the better team, but Kansas City has what Baltimore does not: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes. As good as Lamar Jackson has been for the Ravens — he should be the NFL Most Valuable Player — this is new territory for him and old hat for Mahomes, who is playing in his sixth straight AFC Championship Game. The Ravens’ defense has also been vulnerable against strong running backs, which Isiah Pacheco certainly qualifies as, and can struggle at times defending passes over the middle. The key for Baltimore will be getting Mahomes off his first read, muddying the picture in the secondary and applying pressure up the middle and/or on the edge without losing contain. Those are all things the Ravens do well, but expect Mahomes to stay patient and make a play when he has to. This one will come down to the end.” — Brian Wacker
Prediction: Chiefs 24, Ravens 23
Analysis: “The Ravens will play well. The Chiefs will play well. This will be a classic duel between Mahomes and Jackson, much like we’ve seen with Mahomes vs. Tom Brady, Joe Burrow, and Josh Allen. The quarterbacks, offenses, defenses, special teams, and coaches all are positioned to lead either team to victory. In the end, the Chiefs are still alive in the playoffs because of Mahomes, and it’s difficult to go against him in any such monumental matchup.”
Prediction: Chiefs 30, Ravens 27
Analysis: “Look for both quarterbacks to play well, but I think the postseason experience for Mahomes will shine through. Look for the Chiefs to advance to another Super Bowl as Mahomes has some late-game magic to win it.”
Prediction: Chiefs 28, Ravens 26
Analysis: “I think the Ravens have been on a mission all year, one of the best teams we’ve seen all year. I think they’re the one team that can stop this Chiefs’ magic.”
Prediction: Ravens 24, Chiefs 20