The Kansas City Chiefs travel to Baltimore for the AFC Championship Game to take on the Ravens.
Since becoming Kansas City’s head coach in 2013, Andy Reid has been 4-1 through the regular season against the Ravens, while quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been 3-1.
Last Sunday, the Chiefs defeated the Bills in Buffalo 27-24 to advance to the AFC’s final game, while Baltimore is riding high after a 34-10 win over Houston and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.
With preparation for the matchup set to begin, we’re looking at one thing to watch at each offensive position group.
QB
Lamar Jackson will be making his first AFC Championship game appearance, and all of America will be watching to see the likely NFL MVP go throw for throw and scramble for scramble with the great Patrick Mahomes.
Mahomes has been to six straight AFC Championship games, how will Lamar Jackson perform in his first.
RB
Baltimore will employ Gus Edwards, Justice Hill and Dalvin Cook against a Chiefs defense that is ranked 18th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed.
Someone other than Lamar Jackson has to make a play on the ground, and we’re looking to see which running back will breakout on the biggest stage.
WR
The most productive pass catcher at the position in 2023 was rookie Zay Flowers, but Odell Beckham Jr. has always performed on the biggest stages.
Baltimore kept the veteran receiver on a snap count all season long, but will be watching to see if Odell shines when the lights are brightest.
TE
Mark Andrews is back, and he’ll return to a Ravens offense that has seen Isaiah Likely take on a prominent role over the past 10-12 weeks.
Will be watching to see how OC Todd Monken incoporates Andrews back into the offense.
OL
Baltimore’s offensive line play improved once John Harbaugh and company started rotating offensive tackles to keep Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses fresh.
We’ll be watching to see how Tyler Linderbaum, Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson fare in matchups against Chiefs all-world defensive tackle, Chris Jones.