Instant analysis from Ravens' 17-10 loss to Kansas City Chiefs in AFC championship game

Jan. 28—By Baltimore Sun staff

PUBLISHED:January 28, 2024 at 4:51 p.m.| UPDATED:January 28, 2024 at 6:58 p.m.

Here's what The Baltimore Sun sports staff had to say immediately after the Ravens' 17-10 loss to the visiting Kansas City Chiefs in Sunday's AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium.

Brian Wacker: The league's presumptive Most Valuable Player had no answer for the NFL's best postseason team over the past few years.

All year, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was in control of the offense, but in his first AFC championship game, he was completely out of sorts against the Chiefs' blitz. And even when he wasn't, Baltimore shot itself in the foot with costly penalties and ill-timed turnovers, including a fumble by rookie receiver Zay Flowers before he crossed the goal line on a would-be touchdown in the fourth quarter that would have cut the deficit to a field goal.

Then Jackson, who'd already fumbled earlier in the game, was intercepted in the end zone as he threw into triple coverage down 10 midway through the fourth quarter.

Baltimore had the NFL's best defense during the regular season, becoming the first team to lead the league in sacks, takeaways and points allowed per game, but early on it had no answer for the explosive Chiefs, who marched up and down the field at will most of the first half.

The Ravens' defense stiffened as the game wore on — holding the Chiefs to 17 points was more than commendable — but the offense never got in rhythm. Scoring 10 points against Kansas City, which came in boasting perhaps the NFL's second-best defense, wasn't going to cut it. Baltimore, which led the league in rushing, never got its ground game going, Jackson often held onto the ball too long as receivers struggled to get open and Kansas City dominated the Ravens' shaky offensive line.

Childs Walker: Zay Flowers had been the Ravens' best offensive player all day, but when he reached for the end zone to pull the Ravens within three in the fourth quarter, the ball popped free. His agonizing fumble reflected an agonizing day for an offense that came up flat with a trip to Super Bowl 58 on the line.

This was the best Ravens team ever through 18 games, but in the 19th, far from that. Lamar Jackson's second NFL Most Valuable Player award will be cold comfort as he spends the next year answering questions about a subpar performance in the biggest game of his most promising season. All the self-assurance he had displayed in recent weeks seemed gone when he threw into triple coverage for an interception that ended the Ravens' next scoring chance after Flowers' fumble.

Patrick Mahomes carved up the Ravens' defense to start the game, eluding pressure and trusting his receivers, especially tight end Travis Kelce, to make catches against tight coverage. We've seen this from Mahomes and Kelce for the last six years, but that doesn't make it any less impressive.

Jackson conjured up a few dazzling moments, slipping out of a sack to find Flowers for a 30-yard touchdown and completing a 13-yard pass to himself after it ricocheted off a defender. But he struggled to find the right targets under duress, falling well short of Mahomes' mastery.

The Ravens handed the Chiefs an extra three points before halftime with a pair of personal fouls. That said, their defense stepped up in a big way after those initial drives, holding Kansas City to a single field goal over a span of eight possessions. It was the offense that could not do its part.

Mike Preston: Until proven otherwise, Patrick Mahomes is still the best QB in the NFL. They can give the MVP to anyone they want, but this guy carried the Chiefs to the AFC championship. When it came to clutch throws, he delivered. He did it this year without two of his best receivers of the past three years. The road to the AFC championship had to come through Baltimore, but the title still goes through Kansas City and Mahomes.

Hayes Gardner: The Ravens' defense did what they have all year. They made open-field tackles, they pressured the quarterback, they stood tall, even against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. But their efforts weren't matched by the offense. There were plenty of chances to come back in the second half, but turnovers — it's hard to pick which was more painful, the Zay Flowers fumble or the Lamar Jackson interception — made that impossible.

This was supposed to be the year that Jackson reached his first Super Bowl, the year that Baltimore broke through. Instead, once again, it'll be the Chiefs representing the AFC.

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Sam Cohn: There are a couple ways to beat the Kansas City Chiefs, owners of six consecutive AFC championship game appearances and two Super Bowl titles since 2020. Perhaps muting quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Or outmuscling the Chiefs' menacing pass rushers. None of which include getting to halftime with quarterback Lamar Jackson leading the Ravens in rushing yards (27) and passing yards (67) while being second in receiving yards (13). He finished with 272 passing yards, completing 20 of 37 attempts, a passer rating of 75.5 and one vicious helmet spike. A 10-point outing, tied for Baltimore's lowest offensive output all season, won't do it either. Unlike last Saturday against the Texans, where a fiery halftime speech reignited the Ravens, their inability to capitalize rolled right into the AFC championship's second half.

Baltimore's defense held up its end of the bargain. But without help, the Ravens' season ends here.

The Ravens got to this point by flexing versatility. On Sunday, Odell Beckham Jr. had three receptions for 22 yards. Mark Andrews, once Jackson's favorite target by a long shot, had two receptions for 15 yards. Isaiah Likely had two receptions for 16 yards. Even Justice Hill and Gus Edwards combined for only 23 yards on the ground with three carries apiece. Can't beat a dynasty that way.

C.J. Doon: Brutal. The Ravens played their worst game of the season at the worst possible time. That didn't look anything like the dominant group we saw during most of the regular season and in the second half of last week's win over the Texans. The Ravens' bravado served them well against tough opponents all year, but that aggression spilled over in big moments Sunday and cost them dearly. Why, after being patient and relying on quick passes to beat the blitz last week, did Lamar Jackson hold the ball so long and keep throwing deep? He played right into defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's hands, and the Ravens paid the price.

Tim Schwartz: It wasn't meant to be. The Ravens had plenty of chances to get back in the game in front of a raucous home crowd but Zay Flowers' backbreaking fumble at the 1-yard line and Lamar Jackson's unforgivable forced throw to the end zone that was intercepted proved too costly. Baltimore's defense started slow against Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and company but settled down in the second half to keep the Ravens in it. If you had told me the Chiefs would only score 17 points, I'd have almost guaranteed a Baltimore victory. But the Ravens were undisciplined throughout the game (Kyle Van Noy's penalty late in the first half comes to mind) and the stage looked too big for this group. The narrative around Jackson being unable to win the big one will carry over into another season, and it's likely the team around him won't be as talented as this one. This Ravens team, unfortunately, will be remembered as the best in franchise history to not win the Super Bowl.

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is comforted by a member of the Kansas City chiefs after the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is consoled by a member of the Chiefs staff as the Baltimore Ravens fall to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is consoled by Odell Beckham Jr. in the final minutes of the game as the Baltimore Ravens fall to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson walks off the field after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)

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Baltimore Ravens tackle Ronnie Stanley sits on the bench during the the AFC championship game in Baltimore against the Kansas City Chiefs. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson sits on the bench during the the AFC championship game in Baltimore against the Kansas City Chiefs. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)

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Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews walks off the field after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)

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Baltimore Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard walks off the field after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)

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Ravens Michael Pierce is dejected on the bench as the Chiefs defeated the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC Championship game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)

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John Brown of Phoenix reacts after the Baltimore Ravens fail to score a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter of the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. The Chiefs stunned the Ravens, 17-10. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, left is consoled by kicker Justin Tucker as the fourth quarter and season close against the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. The Chiefs stunned the Ravens, 17-10. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers walks on the sidelines in shock, still stinging from his fumble to the Kansas City Chiefs in the end zone during the fourth quarter of the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. The Chiefs stunned the Ravens, 17-10. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

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Kansas City Chiefs Deon Bush intercepts a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely in the end zone in the 4th quarter. The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

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Kansas City Chiefs Deon Bush intercepts a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely in the end zone in the 4th quarter. The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

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Kansas City Chiefs Deon Bush intercepts a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely in the end zone in the 4th quarter. The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

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Kansas City Chiefs Deon Bush intercepts a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely in the end zone in the 4th quarter. The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

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Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Deon Bush intercepts the ball thrown by Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in the end zone during the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

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Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes during the AFC championship game against the Chiefs in Baltimore. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson keeps for a first down as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson catches his own deflected pass against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws the ball away under pressure from Baltimore Ravens Kyle Hamilton as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

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Kansas City Chiefs Trent McDuffie breaks up a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in the 4th quarter. The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback #8 Lamar Jackson catches a pass after his pass was deflected by a Chiefs defensive player in the second quarter. The Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff)

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Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie almost intercepts a pass as Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws the ball away while being brought down by defensive end Chris Jones in the second quarter Sunday. (Lloyd Fox/Staff)

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Ravens quarterback #8 Lamar Jackson has the ball stripped away by Chiefs #90 Charles Omenihu in the second quarter. The Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff)

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Kansas City Chiefs Travis Kelce catches a pass over Ravens Brandon Stephens for a first down in the first quarter. The Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff)

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Ravens quarterback #8 Lamar Jackson has the ball stripped away by Chiefs #90 Charles Omenihu in the second quarter. The Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff)

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws the ball away under pressure from Baltimore Ravens Jadeveon Clowney as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

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Baltimore Ravens Justice Hill is tacked after a gain in the first quarter as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is striped of the ball by Chiefs Charles Onenihu for a 2nd quarter turnover as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson keeps for a first down as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws the ball away under pressure from Baltimore Ravens Kyle Hamilton as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws a completion to Mark Andrews in the first quarter as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

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Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson catches a tipped pass and runs for gain in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)

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Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson catches a tipped pass and runs for gain in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)

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Kansas City Chiefs' George Karlaftis recovers fumble by Ravens' Lamar Jackson in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)

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Baltimore Ravens' Kyle Hamilton is unable to stop Kansas City Chiefs' Travis Kelce from catching a touchdown pass in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers catches a pass in the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)

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Ravens and Chiefs fans fight for the spotlight before the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff)

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Samantha Cholewczynski of Baltimore wears her handmade shirt showing Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes. Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs AFC title game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff)

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Ketia Stokes, right, and her mother, Linda Stokes of Baltimore get ready as the Baltimore Ravens take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff)

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Patrick Reed a former Parkville resident wears his Johnny Unitas jersey that he wore to the Ravens Super Bowl against the 49ers. The Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff)

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Pat McFaul of Bel Air gets ready for the Baltimore Ravens game as they host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff)

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Shawn Blowe of Baltimore carries a giant Lamar Jackson photo on his way to thew stadium. The Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff)

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A group of Ravens fans from the United Kingdom tailgate at the BMORE Around Town tailgate party prior to the AFC championship game between the Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

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Ravens fans cheer as Zay Flowers arrives prior to the Baltimore Ravens hosting the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

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avens Jadeveon Clowney arrives prior to the Baltimore Ravens hosting the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

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Ravens running back Delvin Cook arrives prior to the Baltimore Ravens hosting the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

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Ravens fans tailgate at the BMORE Around Town tailgate party prior to the AFC championship game between the Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs. ..(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)

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the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

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Chris and Karen Nicewarner of Martinsburg, W. Va attend every home game and are on the sideline as the Ravens prepare to host the Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)

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A fan holds a sign about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce before the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/staff)

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