BALTIMORE | For the fourth time in five years, the Chiefs find themselves in the Super Bowl. They will reconnect with the 49ers, who were their opponents in the final game in 2019.
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Even the Ravens, in their fortress guarded by 71,000 fans, were unable to slow down the Chiefs’ machine in the American conference final. The Chiefs won 17-10 and even in a season where they are not at the top of their game offensively, they find themselves in the final game in Las Vegas on February 11. For their part, the 49ers overcame a 17-point half-time deficit to defeat the Lions 34-31 in the national conference final. This will be their eighth appearance at the Super Bowl.
The Journal was present in Baltimore to witness another outcome that broke the hearts of Ravens fans. This team had to be perfect to beat the Chiefs, who have enormous experience in these situations where the heat rises in the kitchen. Unfortunately for them, the Ravens were far, far from perfect.
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Their quarterback, Lamar Jackson, was the victim of two turnovers. After his interception in the end zone on a critical sequence midway through the fourth quarter, several fans threw their beers out of spite on the field. What a waste of food!
In Baltimore, the same desolate refrain is repeated. The team has an extraordinary season, Jackson wins the Most Valuable Player title, the defense crushes big teams, then the house of cards collapses in the playoffs. This is not going to calm the ardor of those who claim that Jackson fades when the stakes rise, he who only completed 20 of his 37 passes.
A ruined party
Ravens fans are protecting their fortress and many are showing their support for quarterback Lamar Jackson. Photo Stephane Cadorette
You are warned, do not enter the Ravens’ den in the colors of the opposing team. Photo Stephane Cadorette
A nice big party seemed to be on the way in Baltimore. More than three hours before the game, fans converged by the thousands on M&T Stadium via the “Ravens Walk.”
Photo Getty Images via AFP
This pedestrian corridor located between the Orioles stadium and that of the Ravens is as festive as possible with several enthusiastic fans dressed in their team colors. It is also in this sector that the famous Ravens brass band puts on a show to warm up the troops.
Ultimately, however, no matter how much heat was generated before the game, it was a cold shower that hit the fans, who were experiencing their team’s first conference final at home and a first in the city in 53 years.
Even the presence on the field of legends from a not-so-distant era, like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs, has not been able to whip the current players, who have not lived up to the standards of the past .
Ravens fans take pleasure in displaying their intimidating appearance. Photo Stephane Cadorette
Chiefs defense dominates
The Ravens, who are used to punishing their rivals physically, quickly realized that the Chiefs’ defense deserves respect.
It’s fashionable to continually talk about the exploits of Patrick Mahomes (241 yards, 1 touchdown pass), but this game, it was the defense that went after him.
Lamar Jackson struggled to find his receivers and was the victim of three sacks. The ground game was too quickly evacuated from the game plan, with only eight races apart from those of Jackson. It is difficult to justify that they deviated from this point of their identity.
The Ravens defense held on as best they could, but was unable to slow down Travis Kelce. The tight end caught 11 passes from Patrick Mahomes for 116 yards and a touchdown.
He thus became the record holder for the most receptions in the history of the series, surpassing the immortal Jerry Rice.
It was Kelce’s sixth playoff game with at least 10 receptions, double that of any player in history.
Flagrant indiscipline
Photo Getty Images via AFP
The Ravens also shot themselves in the foot with eight penalties, some of which were downright stupid. Even though their supporters often chanted “bullshit”, it was indisputable. The Chiefs, more experienced in these big moments, had the gift of playing them in the coco.
Receiver Zay Flowers, the best of the group for the Ravens, was the perfect example. He took a stupid penalty for taunting cornerback L’Jarius Sneed after a long play. He then fumbled the ball at the goal gate, denying his team a touchdown. Karma struck him, since it was the same Sneed who made him lose the precious object.
To top it all off, he cut his hand hitting the bench afterwards. Very stylish!
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens represented the last hope of the fringe of football fans who couldn’t live with the idea of a Super Bowl week that would constantly bring Taylor Swift back into the headlines.
Photo Getty Images via AFP
The Chiefs played better, managed their emotions better and were more deserving of the victory.
Patrick Mahomes now boasts 14 wins in 17 playoff games. He becomes the first quarterback to participate in the Super Bowl four times before the age of 30, having already lifted the Vince Lombardi Trophy twice. We don’t realize it, but it’s absolutely crazy.