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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
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glenn erby

Ravens vs. Chiefs: 10 takeaways from first half of AFC Championship game

The Chiefs heard all the noise and responded upon entering M&T Bank Stadium, jumping out to an early lead on the Baltimore Ravens and taking a 17-7 lead into halftime.

Sunday is the 5th time the Lamar Jackson-led Ravens have trailed by double digits at halftime (0-4 in the first four games).

Three other times, it has been vs. the Chiefs (2019 and 2020).

Kansas City answered the questions about Baltimore’s physicality, attacking the Ravens in the trenches on both sides of the football.

With the second half underway, we’re looking at takeaways from the first half.

1
Kelce strikes first

Jan 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) scores a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Kelce’s matchup with Kyle Hamilton was key to the Ravens overall success on defense and the All-Pro struck first with a backshoulder fade for a touchdown in the redzone.

Kelce had 3 catches, for 36 yards and a touchdown on that first drive, and 9 catches for 96 yards in the first half.

2
Mahomes first drive

Jan 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) looks on from the field prior to the AFC Championship football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

On that drive, Mahomes was 5-for-5 for 57 yards and a TD. Kelce had three catches for 36 yards, a TD, and a key fourth-down 13-yard catch.

l and go 86 yards on 10 plays for a 7-0 lead at the 7:41 mark of the first quarter.

3
Lamar Jackson the magician

Jan 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) prepares to throw the ball as Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill (23) defends during the first half in the AFC Championship football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Jackson somehow escaped a sacked, and connected with Zay Flowers for Baltimore’s first score of the game.

Jackson was 5-of-12 for 67 yards, 1 TD; 4 rushes for 27 yards; 1 catch for 13 yds.

4
Mahomes carving the Ravens up

(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Patrick Mahomes’ first quarter: 10-for-10, 86 yards, one touchdown.

In the first half, Mahomes was 20-of-25 for 161 yards, 1 TD; 3 carries for 18 yards.

5
Zay Flowers

Jan 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) catches a touchdown pass in front of Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) during the first half in the AFC Championship football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Flowers had 2 catches for 39 yards and a touchdown in the first half.

6
Ravens defense

Jan 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) prepares to throw the ball against the Baltimore Ravens in the first quarter in the AFC Championship football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

After talking tough to the Chiefs offense, Baltimore’s defense was gashed in the first half on the ground and through the air.

The Ravens allowed 221 yards in the first half on 43 plays.

7
Chiefs defense gets the turnover

Jan 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs with the ball during the first quarter in the AFC Championship football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Lamar Jackson had been so careful with the football prior to this matchup, but a strip sack from Charles Omenihu and the Chiefs took over on the Ravens 33.

Omenihu got around Ronnie Stanley.

8
Chiefs near perfect on third downs

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 28: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up prior to the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Kansas City was 5-9 on third downs, while Baltimore was 1-5.

9
Ravens rushing attack

Jan 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards (35) runs with the ball as Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid (20) defends during the first half in the AFC Championship football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore ran the football 9 times in the first half and Lamar Jackson had four of those carries for 27 yards.

Gus Edwards and Justice Hill combined for 4 carries and 18 yards in the first half.

10
Isiah Pacheco

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 28: Isiah Pacheco #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter in the AFC Championship Game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

The Chiefs running back had 14 carries, for 41 yards and one touchdown in the first half.

11
Random notes

Jan 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) prepares to throw the ball against the Baltimore Ravens in the first quarter in the AFC Championship football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce tied Jerry Rice for the most postseason catches in NFL history during the first half and then past him two plays later.

Time of possession: Chiefs have run 29 plays to Ravens’ 13, even though Baltimore got the ball first. Time of possession is a whopping 16:03 to 5:47, and Kansas City still has the ball.

The Chiefs out-gained the Ravens 221-111 in the first half. Possessed the ball for 20:39 compared to 9:21 for the Ravens. Lamar Jackson: 5-of-12 for 67 yards, 1 TD; 4 rushes for 27 yards; 1 catch for 13 yds

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