Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs shut down Ravens in AFC championship game to reach Super Bowl

Patrick Mahomes topped Lamar Jackson in their duel to book another trip to the Super Bowl

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are headed back to the Super Bowl.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are headed back to the Super Bowl. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The Baltimore Ravens came into Sunday as favorites to make their first Super Bowl of the Lamar Jackson era.

But it was Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs who left Baltimore on top.

The Chiefs, after taking a 17-7 halftime lead at M&T Bank Stadium, held on late to secure a return trip to the Super Bowl. They beat the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC championship game, ending the Ravens' run in the AFC.

Mahomes — who has already been to three Super Bowls — was on a mission in the first half while leading the Chiefs to a 17-7 halftime lead. Kansas City dominated the ball and the box score, 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. Travis Kelce, who surpassed Jerry Rice's postseason receptions record in this game, caught the first touchdown of the day for Kansas City.

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The second half brought more of the same. The Ravens, despite holding the Chiefs scoreless, struggled to get much of any offense going. In the fourth quarter, Jackson threw a bad interception into triple coverage in the end zone. The Chiefs held Baltimore to just three points in the second half and secured the seven-point win.

The Chiefs now move on to their fourth Super Bowl in five seasons. Either the San Francisco 49ers or the Detroit Lions will be waiting for them in Las Vegas.

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  • MVS with a massive catch for the Chiefs. That should do it here in Baltimore.

  • The Ravens take the points. The Chiefs now hold a 17-10 lead with about 2:30 left in the game.

  • The Ravens get a quick stop and now have the ball back at midfield with about five minutes left.

  • Well, that should do it. Lamar Jackson just threw a bad interception into triple coverage in the end zone.

  • The Ravens are finally moving now and are down in Chiefs territory.

  • The Ravens get the stop, but the Chiefs punted down to the 1-yard line. It's 17-7 Chiefs with about 10:30 left in the fourth quarter.

  • That was Flowers' first fumble this season. He just cut his hand slamming it on the bench, too. Tough sequence for him.

  • Zay Flowers had a touchdown — until he didn't. L'Jarius Sneed, who was just on the other end of Flowers' taunting penalty, punches the ball out of his hands just before Flowers crosses the goal line. Fumble and turnover after the ball bounced into the end zone for a touchback. Game-changing play. Kansas City takes over, leading 17-7 in the fourth quarter.

  • But Flowers wiped 15 yards off the gain with an obvious taunting penalty. He shoved his defender L'Jarius Sneed to the turf then chucked the ball near his head. Refs have to throw that flag.

  • Baltimore's offense comes alive. Lamar Jackson hits Zay Flowers for a 54-yard gain to get into the red zone.

  • Kansas City's defense comes up with another big play. A sack of Lamar Jackson on third-and-9 forces a Ravens punt on fourth-and-17 from near midfield. Kansas City's defense is dominant today.

  • Ravens defense put to the test and comes up with a stop. Kansas City grinds 5:08 off the clock, but punts after gaining 23 yards on eight plays.

  • Chiefs lose a key defender. Charles Omenihu came up with a first-half strip-sack of Lamar Jackson. He's out with a knee injury.

  • Kansas City's defense answers and forces a Baltimore punt after three plays. Lamar Jackson's third-down pass should have been intercepted, but instead fell incomplete.

  • Big stop for the Ravens. Baltimore forces a three-and-out on Kansas's City's first drive of the second half.

  • Kansas City starts the second half with the ball and a 17-7 lead.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • A blow to Patrick Mahomes' head adds another 15 yards on penalties, and Kansas City is driving.

  • 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.

  • Lamar Jackson was visibly upset after his third-down pass to Justice Hill fell incomplete.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Just some ridiculous, high-level football on both sides so far. Game's more than living up to its billing.

  • Unreal. Lamar Jackson catches his own batted pass and takes it for a 13-yard gain. First down.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Wow. Unreal third-down connection from Mahomes to Kelce. These guys are dealing.

  • Eleven straight completions for Patrick Mahomes before he tossed his first incomplete pass. What a bum.

  • Yeah, it feels personal for the Ravens too.

  • 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.

  • Ravens lean on — who else? — Lamar Jackson on fourth-and-1 in their own territory. He delivers with a first down and much more.

  • Chiefs acting like they've been here before. Vintage Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce on that scoring drive. Mahomes was 5-for-5 for 57 yards. Kelce had three catches for 37 yards, including that 19-yard TD. One notable fan approved of the drive:

  • Mahomes and Kelce have now connected for 17 postseason touchdowns. This one was an opening-drive statement against a Ravens defense that didn't allow a first-half touchdown to the Texans last week.

  • Great start for Chiefs' defense, forcing a three-and-out on the Ravens' opening possession.