Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes duel with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line
The Baltimore Ravens came into Sunday as favorites to make their first Super Bowl of the Lamar Jackson era.
Patrick Mahomes — who’s been to three — had other ideas in the first half while leading the Chiefs to a 17-7 halftime lead. Kansas City dominated the ball and the box score while holding a 20:39 to 9:21 advantage in time of possession. Baltimore got on the board with a big pass play from Jackson to Zay Flowers, but Mahomes and Kansas City otherwise controlled the first half.
Can Baltimore rally or will Kansas City punch its ticket to a fourth Super Bowl in five seasons?
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Kansas City starts the second half with the ball and a 17-
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Key individual first-half stats:
Patrick Mahomes: 20 of 25 for 161 yards with 1 touchdown and zero turnovers
Travis Kelce: 9 catches for 96 yards and 1 touchdown
Lamar Jackson: 5 of 12 for 67 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 lost fumble; 4 rushes for 27 yards
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The Chiefs have outgained the Ravens, 221 yards to 110. They hold a 16-5 edge in first downs and a 20:39 to 9:21 advantage in time of possession. Baltimore needs to make some significant halftime adjustments.
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Ravens kneel on the ball to run out the first-half clock. Chiefs lead 17-7 after a dominant first half. Baltimore got on the board with a big play, but Kansas City’s otherwise controlled the ball and the game.
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Mahomes beats the blitz and finds Kelce for a nine-yard gain to put Harrison Butker in reasonable field-goal range. Butker converts from 51 to extend Kansas City’s lead to 17-7 with 4 seconds remaining in the half.
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Now penalties are costing Kansas City. Holding calls on back-to-back plays push them out of field goal range and into third-and-2. Both of them on right guard Trey Smith.
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A blow to Patrick Mahomes’ head adds another 15 yards on penalties, and Kansas City is driving.
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Travis Kelce just goaded Kyle Van Noy into a headbutt and a 15-yard personal foul penalty. Turns second-and-9 at the Kansas City 12 into first-and-10 at the 27.
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Lamar Jackson was visibly upset after his third-down pass to Justice Hill fell incomplete.
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Ravens can’t convert on third-and-4 near midfield. Chiefs will take over at their own 11 after a punt with 1:46 remaining in the half and chance to extend their 14-7 lead. Big stop by Kansas City.
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Chiefs, Ravens each come up with defensive stops for the first two punts of the day. Baltimore has the ball back, trailing 14-7 with 2:47 remaining in the half and pressure to score.
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Just some ridiculous, high-level football on both sides so far. Game’s more than living up to its billing.
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Unreal. Lamar Jackson catches his own batted pass and takes it for a 13-yard gain. First down.
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The Chiefs gamble on fourth-and-a foot after a third down pass from Patrick Mahomes to Travis Kelce is stopped just short of the sticks. Isaiah Pacheco runs, and Baltimore’s defense comes up with a huge stop in the red zone. Kansas City comes away with zero points after securing a takeaway in Ravens territory.
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We have the game’s first turnover. Charles Omenihu strip-sacks Lamar Jackson in Baltimore territory, and George Karlaftis jumps on the ball for a Chiefs takeaway. Kansas City now has a chance to extend its 14-7 lead with excellent field position. Potentially game-changing play.
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Two Chiefs possessions, two Chiefs touchdowns. Isaiah Pacheco punches it in from two yards to give Kansas City a 14-7 lead. The drive traveled 75 yards on 16 plays and took 9:02 off the clock. Baltimore’s defense is getting worn down early.
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Wow. Unreal third-down connection from Mahomes to Kelce. These guys are dealing.
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Eleven straight completions for Patrick Mahomes before he tossed his first incomplete pass. What a bum.
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Yeah, it feels personal for the Ravens too.
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Wow. Now Lamar Jackson shows off his arm. Finds Zay Flowers with a 30-yard touchdown bomb after escaping the Kansas City pass rush. 7-7 early, and both quarterbacks are dealing.