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Audrey Fix Schaefer first watched Taylor Swift perform in 2009 at Merriweather Post Pavilion thanks to the job she’s now held for 17 years: head of communications for IMP, which operates the popular concert venue in Columbia. In the decades since, Swift has grown from an impressive young country music artist to unrivaled fame and influence as a global pop star. But back then, Fix Schaefer could tell the 19-year-old Swift, at the time in black cowboy boots and big blonde curls, had a special gift for conjuring devotion and electricity from her crowds. What Fix Schaefer and those Maryland Swifties did not know was that would be the last time Swift would play in the Baltimore area. Of all her musical eras that Swift pays tribute to on her record-breaking Eras Tour, only Fearless — the oldest and her first headlining concert stint — hit Baltimore. Swift brought her Speak Now World Tour to Washington, D.C. in 2011, her Red tour to D.C. in 2013, her 1989 World Tour to D.C. in 2015, and her 2018 Reputation Stadium Tour to Landover in 2018. The closest the Eras Tour in 2023 came to Baltimore, let alone D.C., was Philadelphia last May. But now, because the Kansas City Chiefs are coming to town for the AFC championship and Swift dates the team’s tight end, Travis Kelce, Baltimore will host arguably the biggest artist in the world after all. Just not in the way the Swifties might have hoped back in 2022, when Swift announced the U.S. leg of her Eras Tour, or last August, when she announced the second leg. “I couldn’t answer why she didn’t come here. But the desire for people to attend is there,” Fix Schaefer said. ‘Maybe she’ll come back to Baltimore’ Bundled up in the brutal cold of the Texans-Ravens AFC divisional round last Saturday, Sarah Fishkind, 22, peered up with her father, Paul, at the suites at M&T Bank Stadium, trying to guess if she’d be able to see Swift. Columbia natives, Fishkind and her sister Emily devoted themselves to the Ravens since girlhood, thanks to their father’s season tickets. Emily Fishkind, 25, calls herself more of a Swiftie, but both love Swift’s music. What they didn’t love was seeing Baltimore miss Swift’s list of Eras Tour dates, twice. Nor did they love how impossible it was to win Philly Eras Tour tickets in the Ticketmaster presale fiasco in November 2022, nor the cost of the resale price, nor how far the closest city really was. Taylor Swift, right, and Brittany Mahomes, second from right, react during the NFL AFC division playoff game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 21 in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) But by chance, Swift is likely coming to Baltimore anyway. And while they’re worried she’ll be booed by fellow Ravens fans who aren’t so fond of the pop star, the Fishkind sisters can’t wait to combine their loves at last. “It feels personal and exciting. Even though she’s not performing or doing anything extraordinary — she’s watching her boyfriend play football — it feels like we can relate to her in that moment,” Emily Fishkind said. “That she’s doing something that we’re so passionate about doing in the same space.” “Maybe,” Sarah Fishkind said, “she’ll come back to Baltimore for a tour where everything can really be about her.” But what does it take for a city to attract that caliber of artist? In 2022, the more than 60-year-old, 15,000-seat CFG Bank Arena underwent $250 million in renovations to modernize its suites and acoustics, among other changes. Per Frank Remesch, the arena’s general manager, it was a “C building that became an A building.” “Everything is new, everything’s hip, everything’s modern,” Remesch said, “but we also have the history: the floors that Martin Luther King stood, where Elvis Presley and [Frank] Sinatra played.” Bruce Springsteen & E Street Band concertKarl Merton Ferron/Baltimore SunBruce Springsteen performs at Baltimore’s CFG Bank Arena on April 7, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Sun Staff Photo) It’s those things that can make an artist want to play there, Remesch said. While Bruce Springsteen skipped Baltimore for 32 years, he made sure to hit the forme 1st Mariner Arena in 2009 and served as the remodeled CFG Bank’s first concert last April. And Swift has notably coveted that kind of history. When she broke attendance or booking records in her various U.S. tour stops last summer, the artist always made sure to mention it at her shows. On past tours, such as the 1989 tour, she has reached out to fabled artists like Mick Jagger and Mary J. Blige to join her on stage. “But the most important thing is can you sell tickets,” Remesch said about venues that compete to book performers. “When you can prove you can, that gets you in the top whatever 30 in the nation, that’s great.” ‘All the little nuances’ Between 2015 and 2018, Merriweather invested $60 million in renovations, according to Fix Schaefer, including physically raising its roof to accommodate taller rigging, backdrops or screens that couldn’t have been dreamed of when the amphitheater opened in 1967. In 2023, Merriweather led the world in concert amphitheater’s gross sales with $34 million, according to Pollstar’s year-end summary, and sold 403,544 tickets. “But what else separates you from the elite of the elite?” Remesch said. “And that’s all the little nuances. That’s the reputation of the company and organizations in the building, how they treat the artist, but also all their roadies, backup singers. That’s all super important.” CFG Bank Arena hosted another pop music heavyweight, SZA, in September. By 3:30 a.m., the arena staff had escorted all 27 of her tour trucks out. At 4:15 a.m., they’d moved in 30 trucks for the next show headlined by the band Queen. “Think about the dynamics of those two shows moving in, and that tells you absolutely this is a building in a market that can sell the tickets, handle the load and unload out, and physically put on the show,” Remesch said. Those little things include venue staff knowing how to prepare for specific types of audiences, such as Swift’s, which is predominantly women and girls. Merriweather had to prep for exactly that scenario when the All Things Go Music Festival arrived last fall, featuring Grammy nominees Lana del Rey and Boygenius, Fix Schaefer said. “So for instance, you might take some of the restrooms designated men’s rooms and convert them,” Fix Schaefer said. “It’s about contemplating who the audience is and making it a better experience for them.” Taylor Swift performs at Merriweather Post Pavilion in June 2009. (Leslie Furlong/Handout) The Eras Tour as it stands can only be hosted in stadiums, eliminating most of Baltimore’s typical concert venues like Merriweather and CFG Bank. Even Camden Yards, with just under 46,000 seats, would not fit the bill. The stage and catwalk consumes most of a football stadium’s floor. Swift’s shows are selling out 70,000 to over 100,000 stadium seats for as many as eight nights. While her tour sizes may change in the future, Swift played only NFL stadiums this round, which for Baltimore, leaves just one option: M&T Bank Stadium. Why Swift skipped the Ravens’ home for the Eras Tour is a mystery. Only six cities with NFL stadiums will miss her show: Charlotte, Cleveland, Landover, Green Bay, Buffalo and Baltimore, the last three of which, ironically, drew her in for Chiefs games. But maybe that could change after her presumed visit this weekend. Al Hutchinson, president and CEO of Visit Baltimore, certainly hopes so. Hutchinson knows hosting the AFC championship for the first time since 1971 will undoubtedly boost local businesses even more than the average game, as football fans outside either Ravens or Chiefs fandom stream in to watch, too. The real goal, he said, is for the celebratory energy of this weekend to provide visitors with such an appreciation of Baltimore that it will bring people back. But Hutchinson can recognize how the inflated viewership Swifties are giving Chiefs games will help, too. The Texans-Ravens game attracted 32.4 million viewers, becoming ESPN’s most-watched NFL game ever. NBC reported that Swift’s first attendance to a Chiefs game saw a 53% in increase in female viewers between ages 12 and 17, and that Swift’s appearance at the Oct. 1 Chiefs-Jets game drew an audience of 29 million and was the NFL’s most-viewed game since the previous Super Bowl. That kind of viewership marriage on Sunday could spell an unprecedented number of eyes on Baltimore. “We want the Chiefs to lose, but we want Taylor to have such a beautiful experience in Baltimore: that she sees the love we have for football, for our city, that she’d go back and say, ‘Look. Baltimore has to be a must stop on my tour next time,'” Hutchinson said. Time magazine reported the Eras Tour garnered around $5 billion in consumer spending in the United States. Baltimore, should it treat Swift well, could experience that kind of windfall. “Come here, Taylor. Have a good time. Enjoy the great cuisine and all Baltimore has to offer,” Hutchinson said. “We’re going to give you an ‘L’ this time, but we want you to leave with a love of Baltimore.” View the full article

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Brandon Hyde can’t wait for Sunday. The Orioles manager keeps a stoic demeanor as it pertains to his defending American League East champion Orioles. But when asked if the California native hopped on the bandwagon of Baltimore’s other professional sports team, Hyde cracked his first smile of the afternoon. His voice jumped in excitement as he revealed he’d be in attendance for the AFC championship game between the Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium. “Me and [coach] John [Harbaugh] text a little bit back and forth throughout both of our seasons and I’m looking forward to seeing them play,” Hyde said. “I really enjoy watching them play.” Amid the text exchange, Hyde told Harbaugh how much he admires the Ravens’ toughness. The manager’s eyebrows furrowed, wearing the facial expression of how impressed he has been with the football team’s defining trait while harboring the NFL’s top defense and likely Most Valuable Player at quarterback. Hyde is no stranger to what the fan support feels like. Particularly in the back half of the Orioles’ 101-win season, he enjoyed every bit of the attention his team was able to draw. Now, it’s the Ravens’ turn. When Hyde drove in from the airport Wednesday night ahead of the Orioles’ Birdland Caravan, he was met with purple lights all around. “It’s pretty special,” he said. 2023 marked the first time both Baltimore franchises finished atop their respective divisions. It’s also the first time a city has had the top seed in an MLB league and NFL conference in the same season since 2016, when the Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys did it. How about the rest of the Orioles’ squad? Are they tuned in to the football team down the street? Related Articles Baltimore Orioles | The Orioles are facing something different in 2024: pressure Baltimore Orioles | Former Orioles star Trey Mancini agrees to minor league deal with Miami Marlins Baltimore Orioles | With Baltimore Orioles’ backing, bill to ban smokeless tobacco in city stadiums advances Baltimore Orioles | 70 greatest Orioles vote: Who were the best Orioles from 1974 to 1983? Baltimore Orioles | Orioles press box named after Jim Henneman, a longtime Baltimore sports reporter and scorer “It should be a good game, I hope both teams have fun,” joked pitcher and Olathe, Kansas, native John Means. “No, I’m looking forward to it. The Ravens look so good but it should be a fun game, I can’t wait for it. … More guys know I’ve been a Chiefs fan my whole life so they definitely like to give me some crap about it.” Means won’t be in attendance Sunday. He has his lucky spot on the couch back home as he roots for the Chiefs to advance to their fourth Super Bowl in five years. Don’t worry, his teammates hold him accountable for his fandom zagging from the city he has spent his entire MLB career in. “There’s already been a lot of trash talking,” Orioles pitcher Grayson Rodriguez said. “Danny [Coulombe] was booing him when he was talking about the Chiefs earlier. It’s gonna be fun. The text messages are going to be firing off during that game.” Coulombe jumped on the Ravens bandwagon about four years ago, around the time of quarterback Lamar Jackson’s unanimous MVP season, because a close friend of his is from Baltimore. “I’m a [Arizona] Cardinals fan,” he said, “We have nothing to cheer about.” The Ravens have certainly given him something to cheer about. View the full article

Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey stopped short of saying he’ll play in Sunday’s AFC championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs but said, “I’ve got to do whatever I can to get back out there, because the way these guys are playing, I just want to be a part of that.” “It’s doing good,” he said of the injured calf that kept him out of the Ravens’ divisional round victory over the Houston Texans and limited him in practice Wednesday. When asked if the decision will come down to how he’s feeling before Sunday’s game, he said: “I usually let all that happen with [coach John Harbaugh] and the medical team. And then I’ll go from there.” Though he was cautious talking about his status, Humphrey did not mind hyping the matchup. “I feel like the Chiefs over the years are like … Alabama,” he said, drawing a comparison between the defending Super Bowl champions and his alma mater. “They’re still that team, still the team to beat, whether they’re losing, whether they’re winning. I think for us to beat them, it’s going to take everybody firing on all cylinders. [Patrick] Mahomes, I think him and Lamar [Jackson], it’s those two quarterbacks and everybody else. The best two quarterbacks in all of the world will be on the same field.” Since he was drafted in the first round in 2017, Humphrey has watched the Ravens rise, endure terrible playoff disappointments and rise again. So “it’s been rough” to be sidelined the last three games. “I think the best thing that’s really helped me get through it is just seeing how the guys are playing on Sunday,” he said. “The way those guys have been flying around, it’s really been inspiring to see that you can have the comfortability to just shoot your shot, and if you miss, there’s Ro [Roquan Smith] coming, there’s P.Q. [Patrick Queen] coming. That’s something that’s really changed since we added Roquan. He runs to the ball like — it’s not even a debate; no one runs to the ball the way Roquan Smith does, and that’s literally been contagious. Everyone’s game has elevated since he’s come and been our leader on defense.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Orioles text messages ‘going to be firing off’ during Ravens vs. Chiefs AFC championship game Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson named finalist for NFL MVP Award; John Harbaugh up for Coach of the Year Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Chiefs isn’t just about Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes. The defenses get a say, too. Baltimore Ravens | Dear Taylor Swift: The Ravens’ flock has Swifties, too Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson ‘locked in’ like never before entering biggest game of his career Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (knee) was the only Raven who did not practice Thursday, with guard Kevin Zeitler back after a rest day and wide receiver Tylan Wallace, who missed the Texans game, going through drills as a limited participant with a brace on his injured knee. Tight end Mark Andrews was again a full participant as he prepares for a possible return from the ankle injury that has kept him out since mid-November. In other roster news, the Ravens waived linebacker Jeremiah Moon, who played three defensive and 16 special teams snaps against the Texans. That’s a sign they expect special teams stalwart Del’Shawn Phillips, who missed the Houston game with a shoulder injury, to be available against the Chiefs. For Kansas City, guard Joe Thuney (pectoral), running back Isiah Pacheco (toe) and defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (triceps) did not practice Thursday, though Pacheco has said he expects to play. Safety Mike Edwards (concussion) was limited after not practicing Wednesday, while wide receiver Kadarius Toney (hip) was limited after being a full participant the day before. View the full article

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, coach John Harbaugh, offensive coordinator Todd Monken and defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald were each named finalists for The Associated Press’ 2023 NFL awards Thursday. Jackson is a finalist for the AP Most Valuable Player Award, which he is favored to win, as well as Offensive Player of the Year. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Christian McCaffrey, and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott are the other MVP finalists. Harbaugh is a finalist for Coach of the Year, alongside Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions, DeMeco Ryans of the Houston Texans, Kyle Shanahan of the 49ers and Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns. Monken and Macdonald were named two of the five finalists for AP Assistant Coach of the Year. Each has had multiple interviews for head coaching jobs. Former Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, who did not begin the season in the NFL and first took the field for the Browns in December, helping lead Cleveland to the playoffs, is among the finalists for AP Comeback Player of the Year. View the full article

Sunday’s AFC championship game is a dream matchup: Lamar Jackson vs. Patrick Mahomes in perhaps the most highly anticipated game of the season, marking the first time two former NFL Most Valuable Players under the age of 30 will face each other in a playoff game. “I believe it’s just two greats, two up-and-coming greats, going toe-to-toe, like a heavyweight fight,” Jackson said. Each praised the other during Wednesday news conferences. After all, there isn’t much to critique. Mahomes is the reigning MVP and Jackson is expected to soon receive all the same hardware, beginning with the Pro Football Writers of America’s MVP award Wednesday. Each is unique and singular — spectacular specimens who have, in different ways, left their stamp on the sport’s most important position. “He’s going to be the MVP for a reason,” Mahomes told reporters in Kansas City. Asked what he likes about competing against Mahomes, Jackson laughed: “I don’t like competing against him at all,” praising Mahomes as a future Hall of Famer. The Ravens’ win over the Houston Texans last week drew 31.8 million television viewers, the most in ESPN’s history, and on CBS, more than 50 million tuned into the Kansas City Chiefs’ win over the Buffalo Bills, a divisional round record. Expect more record-setting figures Sunday, as media coverage intensifies and the football world tunes in. As Jackson fielded questions from reporters Wednesday, a harmony of “Lamar!” called out after each answer. And when dozens of reporters filed into the Ravens’ locker room to speak with players after practice, Isaiah Likely quipped in surprise, “A lot of them today.” Added kicker Justin Tucker: “So many of you!” But for all the attention on the game and on the dazzling signal-callers, Mahomes and Jackson won’t compete on the field at the same time. Just as the focus on Peyton Manning and Tom Brady bouts of yesteryear was a bit misplaced, Jackson will be tasked with outwitting the Kansas City defense and Mahomes will seek to do the same against the Ravens’. As good as Jackson and Mahomes are, their defenses have been top-notch, too. Texans running back Devin Singletary is tackled for loss by Ravens defensive lineman Justin Madubuike. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Pundits can debate how the outcome of the game will affect each player’s legacy, but there is more to a football game than a quarterback’s performance. It takes two to tango and, in the Ravens’ and Chiefs’ cases, the defenses are more than ready for the dance. The Chiefs rank seventh among NFL defenses in Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (a mark of overall efficiency), but in a much more straightforward stat — points allowed — they rank second. Just behind the Ravens. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Dear Taylor Swift: The Ravens’ flock has Swifties, too Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson ‘locked in’ like never before entering biggest game of his career Baltimore Ravens | John and Jim Harbaugh set to meet as NFL coaches once again as Ravens face Chargers in 2024 Baltimore Ravens | Jim Harbaugh returning to NFL to coach Chargers after leading Michigan to national title Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Chiefs: Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Michael Phelps, T-Pain highlight AFC championship game festivities Baltimore, atop the league in defensive DVOA, allowed 16.5 points per game during the regular season while Kansas City allowed 17.3. Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman said the Kansas City secondary is among the best he’s faced this season and backup tight end Charlie Kolar noted that one of the most difficult aspects of facing the Chiefs is identifying their defense, which they mask well. “And on top of that, they have good players. So it is a big challenge for us, but we’re excited for it,” Kolar said. Kansas City boasts star defensive lineman Chris Jones, who’s racked up 26 sacks over the past two seasons, and cornerback Trent McDuffie, an All-Pro in his second year. But more than the individuals, they have a solid unit led by coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Asked about Spagnuolo’s defense, Harbaugh said he’s surprised the former Ravens assistant hasn’t been considered more seriously for some of the league’s head coaching vacancies. “I’m scratching my head on that one,” he said. Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones, left, forces a fumble by Bills quarterback Josh Allen during Sunday’s AFC divisional round matchup. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) There’s no head-scratching regarding his defensive coordinator, though. Mike Macdonald has led the NFL’s top defense this season and the 36-year-old has been rewarded with head coaching interviews. His defense has been dominant all season, but there is no simple answer as to why. Sure, it starts with linebacker Roquan Smith, but there have been breakout performances (see: Justin Madubuike), late-addition veterans stepping up (Kyle Van Noy) and remarkable, consistent play from others (Patrick Queen, Kyle Hamilton). It’s the rare product of a talented group playing exceptionally well — especially now, after a 20-plus-week season. Backup cornerback Arthur Maulet tried to explain it. “I just think, man, we all speak the same language and we hold each other accountable, that’s the biggest thing,” he said. Fellow corner Ronald Darby clarified further: “Just doing our job, really.” On Sunday, that job will require containing one of the most celebrated quarterbacks in recent memory. It’ll be Jackson vs. Mahomes, only it won’t be. The defenses will have a say in it, too. “Tune in Sunday,” Smith said. “Get your popcorn ready.” AFC championship game Chiefs at Ravens Sunday, 3 p.m. TV: CBS Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM Line: Ravens by 3 1/2 View the full article

Meghan Fitzgerald has been a fan of Taylor Swift since she was a student at Mercy High School in Baltimore, latching onto the singer’s “Fearless” album and becoming more interested as she shifted from country to pop music. “We’ve kind of grown up together,” Fitzgerald, 33, said. “I would say she’s the biggest star in the world.” A true Baltimorean, Fitzgerald also grew up watching Ravens games on Sundays, a tradition she continues with her friends. “The Ravens are in my blood,” she said. In a twist Charm City could have hardly fathomed before last fall, when the singer-songwriter first attended a Kansas City Chiefs game to cheer on tight end Travis Kelce, Sunday’s AFC championship game between the Ravens and the Chiefs seems likely to feature an appearance from none other than Swift herself. And even though Fitzgerald doesn’t have any bad blood with Swift (far from it), she’s eager to see the Ravens take down her beau Kelce’s team. “It’ll be fun to play them at home, and get to beat them and see her in the stands,” said Fitzgerald, who might tailgate and watch with crowds in Federal Hill. “My allegiance does not change.” Even Gov. Wes Moore would “proudly welcome Taylor Swift to Baltimore,” he told The Baltimore Sun in a statement. But the Ravens will always be #1. “Though the Chiefs have quite the reputation, if she comes she’ll watch our fearless Ravens win big on Sunday, but I know she’ll shake it off,” he said. It’s a stance shared by a number of Maryland Swifties — some more torn up about it than others — who will be watching for Swift at M&T Bank Stadium while cheering on the home team. “I’m very conflicted this weekend,” said Towson resident Siobhan Keplinger, 44. “I’m 100% Ravens win, full stop. But on the same hand, I’d really like another week of if,” she said, referencing the fanfare that Swift’s appearances have elicited and watching her with Kelce off the field. Keplinger, who works in facilities management at Towson University, became a Ravens fan after initially supporting the team now called the Washington Commanders, while growing up in Prince George’s County. She jumped on the Swift bandwagon during the star’s “Reputation” era; beyond enjoying her music, Keplinger said she’s a fan of Swift the “businesswoman.” Swift, whose net worth is over $1 billion, according to a Bloomberg News analysis, performed her The Eras Tour to sold-out arenas across the country last year. Fallston High School students Natalie Ellerman, 17, left, and Emma Callahan, 17, right, are the founders of their school’s “Swiftie Society,” a club for Taylor Swift fans. Here, they carry a cutout of Taylor Swift in a school hallway. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Staff photo) Since beginning to date Kelce, she’s taken to attending his games — causing quite a stir. Last Sunday’s Chiefs vs. Bills game averaged over 50 million viewers, according to the NFL, setting a new record as the most-watched Divisional or Wild Card game. But Swift, who repeatedly shows up on screen during Chiefs games now, was met that day with booing. Ahead of Sunday’s game, some have taken to social media to express disinterest in seeing her. Others have shared more lighthearted memes. And two teen Swifties are all but certain she’ll be at M&T Bank Stadium. “I do think she will definitely come” to Baltimore, said Natalie Ellerman, 17. “I don’t see why she wouldn’t.” Ellerman and Emma Callahan, both seniors at Fallston High School, co-founded an unofficial afterschool group called the “Swiftie Society” last fall. The group’s first meeting, to answer trivia questions and rank Swift’s albums, drew a crowd of around 20 people, Callahan estimated. She said she’s rooting for Swift and Kelce’s relationship, and wants to see the Ravens win, after her mom got her interested in the team over the last few years. For others, it’s Swift who’s sparked a newfound passion for football. “I did not care about football before this. I never watched it,” Lauren Greenbaum, 25, said. “Initially, I watched to see her a couple times. Now, I’ve watched every single game of the playoffs.” Greenbaum, who lives in Timonium and works as a financial consultant at T. Rowe Price, has been a Swift fan since the release of her debut album. She started playing guitar in 5th grade, inspired by Swift, and in her first year of high school at The Bryn Mawr School started a Tumblr blog dedicated to the singer. Lauren Greenbaum is pictured with a Taylor Swift guitar she bought in 2020 and a holiday gift, just some of many items she has collected. She said she didn’t really care about football before Swift started appearing at games, and has now watched all of the playoff games. (Lloyd Fox/Staff photo) In 2014 the blog “got really big,” Greenbaum said, adding that Swift, who used the social media platform back in the day, followed her and liked one of her selfies. That same year, she went to Swift’s 1989 tour and the star’s team gave her and her younger sister front row tickets, she said. “It felt like I always had a role model,” Greenbaum said. Her love of Swift connected her with some of her closest friends, she added, including one in Australia. “Never in my life would I have rooted against Taylor Swift,” she said — but on Sunday, she’ll be cheering for the Ravens to make it to the Super Bowl, as she watches the game on TV, likely with her boyfriend, sister and family. Other Swifties will be attending the game in person, including Washington College student Kennedy Thomason, who bought tickets to the event with her boyfriend, Kyle Schultz, before the Chiefs defeated the Bills. “This is my Eras Tour,” Thomason, 23, recalled Schultz saying when they decided to splurge. The pair attended the actual Eras Tour together in Massachusetts last May, an event that Thomason called a “once in a lifetime experience.” Thomason said she’d been rooting for the Chiefs in their most recent game, so that Swift might come to Baltimore, but come Sunday, she’ll be behind the Ravens, a self-proclaimed “die-hard” fan. She’s convinced Swift will also be at M&T Bank Stadium, and said she wants to “catch a glimpse.” “My hope is simply that she comes to the stadium,” Thomason said. “I would like her to see the stadium, see the energy and hopefully take away some memories from Baltimore. And then maybe we’ll end up on her next tour.” View the full article

“Locked in.” It’s been a consistent theme all season. From the doldrums of training camp, through a sluggish start to the season, to a dominant run of 11 wins in their past 13 games, including last week’s divisional round blowout against the Houston Texans, Lamar Jackson has leaned on the mantra. It’s cliche, sure, but the Ravens quarterback has more important things to worry about than providing profound insight. Notably, he will play the biggest game of his career Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs when the teams vie for the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. The 27-year-old has already won one NFL Most Valuable Player Award, when he was the unanimous choice in 2019, and is the favorite for the honor again this year. He has been a two-time All-Pro and a three-time Pro Bowl selection. At $260 million over the next five years, he is the third-highest-paid player in the league in terms of annual salary. The only glaring hole in his resume, of course, is getting to the Super Bowl. Now he’s on the precipice and “locked in” like never before, according to the teammates, coaches and former players The Baltimore Sun spoke to about Jackson. What does the mantra actually mean? “Small details [and] things that I probably would overshadow years in the past,” Jackson said Wednesday. “But now, I’m trying to think about all the small details [and] what will help us in every situation. That’s pretty much what I mean by staying locked in and focused.” It is, as coach John Harbaugh said, self-explanatory, a marriage of all parts of Jackson’s physical gifts but his mental ones. “You come to work ready to go to work and get locked in on what your responsibilities are and what your job is and make sure you’re prepared,” Harbaugh said. “When you line up, you lock in. You lock in on your job, your responsibility, your eyes, your feet, your hands [and] your communication of the whole thing. [You’re] just supremely focused, not looking left, not looking right, [but] looking straight ahead [and] looking forward, short-term and really long-term, too.” Teammates have noticed. “His athletic ability hasn’t changed,” wide receiver Rashod Bateman told The Sun. “Obviously he’s playing better than he has been, but just more so from a vocal standpoint, he’s been leading. He came in the locker room [against the Texans] and handled business like he should. I haven’t seen that side of Lamar.” That side, according to Jackson, was a profanity-filled halftime speech that helped propel Baltimore into the first conference championship game of the quarterback’s career. “He doesn’t say much, but when he does you listen up,” Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens told The Sun. “He brings a contagious energy.” And a certain level of focus that, by all accounts, had been at times lacking earlier in his career. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson practices Wednesday in front of coach John Harbaugh, center. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) It didn’t help, either, that injuries derailed each of his past two seasons. Jackson missed 11 games in that span, including last year’s wild-card-round loss against the Cincinnati Bengals, which he watched from home in disgust. This season has been different. Jackson has played every meaningful snap and has played some of his best football in the Ravens’ biggest games, including a 56-19 destruction of the Miami Dolphins in Week 17 to secure the AFC’s top seed and a first-round bye. Along the way, he threw for a career-high 3,678 yards with 24 touchdowns while rushing for 821 yards and five scores. He also set career bests in completion rate (67.2%) and average yards per attempt (8.0) in his first season under offensive coordinator Todd Monken, hired to maximize Jackson unique and wide-ranging talents. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Chiefs isn’t just about Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes. The defenses get a say, too. Baltimore Ravens | Dear Taylor Swift: The Ravens’ flock has Swifties, too Baltimore Ravens | John and Jim Harbaugh set to meet as NFL coaches once again as Ravens face Chargers in 2024 Baltimore Ravens | Jim Harbaugh returning to NFL to coach Chargers after leading Michigan to national title Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Chiefs: Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Michael Phelps, T-Pain highlight AFC championship game festivities “I think Monken challenges him to be more vocal in the offense to get us in and out of stuff,” second-year Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum told The Sun. “I think he’s taken big leaps and strides that way. At the end of the day, we lean on him. We go as he goes. We wanted to give him all the confidence in the world that we can block for him and that playmakers are going to do their thing.” Those outside the team’s Owings Mills facility have seen a transformation as well. “They gave him their confidence in terms of trusting him to execute this offense as he sees it in real-time on the field, particularly in the passing game, in a way that he wasn’t allowed to do before,” ESPN analyst Louis Riddick told The Sun. “That’s where it has all started for him. “Todd has given him that trust, they have developed that relationship and he has worked at it and worked at it and worked at it to the point where he is in total command now. … Now he has confidence and trust, he has, structurally, an offense that looks much different in terms of the passing game, and, lastly, they got him weapons now.” The impact of those changes, on offense and on the players around him, can’t be overstated. Monken has given Jackson the most control and input on offense he’s had since his college days at Louisville, where he won the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore. Zay Flowers has been one of the best rookie wide receivers in the NFL this year, and Odell Beckham Jr. has been what Riddick called the team’s “pied piper,” his influence a cohesive jell that has drawn them toward the singular focus of pursuing the game’s ultimate prize. “It’s all clicking,” Riddick said, adding that the switch of Tee Martin from wide receivers coach to quarterbacks coach is also one of many genius moves Harbaugh has made. There’s been a certain genius in Jackson’s evolution, too. “The offense has evolved a while from where they were at the beginning to where they are now,” Hall of Fame quarterback and NFL Network analyst Kurt Warner told The Sun. “Lamar was trying to play more on schedule early, but there wasn’t a comfort level yet … so it looked a little more disjointed early on. But the number of times they’re playing that way has been on an uptick as the season has gone along, as they’ve gotten more comfortable and as Lamar has gotten more comfortable with what he’s seeing and where he’s supposed to be going with the football.” Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson celebrates after completing a pass against the Texans in the fourth quarter Saturday. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Warner cited two plays that stood out to him against the Texans. One was Jackson quickly recognizing that he could run for the end zone on a 15-yard touchdown burst up the middle. The other was a third-and-2 from the Texans’ 27-yard line in which he quickly identified that running back Justice Hill would be open in the flat against the defense’s coverage and an oncoming blitz. “Lamar stays within himself,” ESPN analyst and former Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday told The Sun. “You have to be disciplined. People don’t realize how hard that is. It’s not always about making the great play, it’s about making the consistent play so you’re making everyone else around you better. They have done an excellent job of that.” Hill, in his fifth year with the Ravens and their most versatile if not lead back following injuries to J.K. Dobbins in Week 1 and undrafted rookie Keaton Mitchell in mid-December, said he has seen a more focused Jackson as well. “He’s locked in until we get [a Super Bowl],” he told The Sun. “Just not satisfied, no complacency, just keep working until the job is done.” Added Beckham: “He’s the leader, the heart and soul of this team.” Now all that’s standing in his and the Ravens’ way is the reigning Super Bowl champion and last year’s MVP, quarterback Patrick Mahomes. It’s the Chiefs’ sixth straight AFC championship game and the first for the Ravens since the 2012 season. Jackson likened it to a “heavyweight matchup” and said he expects a “higher-level atmosphere” at M&T Bank Stadium for Baltimore’s first conference championship game since 1971, when the Colts defeated the Oakland Raiders. But he’s not putting any pressure on himself, even if he has occasionally let his mind wander toward the thought of playing for the Vince Lombardi trophy. When it does, he just goes back into being locked in, he says. “No different feeling,” Jackson said. “It’s another game.” AFC championship game Chiefs at Ravens Sunday, 3 p.m. TV: CBS Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM Line: Ravens by 3 1/2 View the full article

The “Harbowl” is back. As the new coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, Jim Harbaugh will take on his older brother, John, and the Ravens next season at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. While the date for the third meeting between the Harbaugh siblings is not yet set, the Ravens are scheduled to face the Chargers and the rest of the AFC West in 2024. The Harbaughs became the first pair of brothers to face off as opposing coaches in an NFL game in 2011, when John’s Ravens beat Jim’s San Francisco 49ers, 16-6, on Thanksgiving night at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore tied a franchise record with nine sacks of quarterback Alex Smith to end San Francisco’s eight-game winning streak. “There’s a saying that says, ‘As iron sharpens iron, so does one man sharpen another,'” Jim said after the game. “And I have to say my brother, John, is the sharpest iron I’ve ever encountered in my life.” While both the Ravens and 49ers fell short in their respective conference championship games that season, it wouldn’t be long before the brothers met on the biggest stage. The following season, the Ravens rode a scorching-hot postseason performance from quarterback Joe Flacco and a Ray Lewis-led defense to Super Bowl 47, where they would meet the 49ers and breakout star quarterback Colin Kaepernick. In the historic family affair, the Ravens withstood a halftime blackout at the Superdome in New Orleans and a furious comeback bid to secure a 34-31 victory for the franchise’s second Super Bowl title. “It’s very tough,” John said when asked about his postgame handshake with his brother. “It’s a lot tougher than I thought it was going to be. It’s very painful.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Chiefs isn’t just about Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes. The defenses get a say, too. Baltimore Ravens | Dear Taylor Swift: The Ravens’ flock has Swifties, too Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson ‘locked in’ like never before entering biggest game of his career Baltimore Ravens | Jim Harbaugh returning to NFL to coach Chargers after leading Michigan to national title Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Chiefs: Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Michael Phelps, T-Pain highlight AFC championship game festivities Jim fell short in the NFC championship game again the following season and went 8-8 and missed the playoffs in 2014 before parting ways with San Francisco. He went 49-22-1 in four seasons, but a reported disconnect between him, owner Jed York and general manager Trent Baalke led to his departure, with Harbaugh later saying: “I didn’t leave the 49ers, I felt like the 49er hierarchy left me.” Harbaugh was quickly hired by Michigan, his alma mater, which had fallen into a prolonged slump under coaches Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke. The former quarterback immediately turned the program around, going 10-3 in three of his first four seasons, but he struggled to beat Ohio State and other elite teams and make the Wolverines a national title contender. Then, a breakthrough. After falling to 9-4 in 2019 and 2-4 in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Michigan made three straight appearances in the College Football Playoff, culminating in an undefeated 2023 season and the school’s first national title since 1997 after wins over Alabama and Washington. It did not come without controversy, however, as Harbaugh was suspended for the first three games for recruiting violations and was later suspended the last three games of the regular season after the Big Ten’s investigation into the program’s sign-stealing scandal. John came to Jim’s defense in November as details emerged about the sign-stealing scandal, saying he was “proud” of his brother for how he’s “handled himself through all this.” With the Ravens enjoying a first-round bye after finishing the regular season with the NFL’s best record, John attended the Wolverines’ national championship victory Jan. 8 in Houston, giving his brother a hug on the sideline during the game. Patrick Semansky / Associated Press Ravens coach John Harbaugh, left, speaks with his brother, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, on the sideline during a game against Maryland in College Park in 2015. John Harbaugh on Tuesday provided an impassioned defense of his brother amid Michigan's sign-stealing scandal. Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, right, talks with brother and San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh, left, during their joint practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in August 2014. Michael Zagaris / Getty Images Head Coach Jim Harbaugh of the San Francisco 49ers and Head Coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens stand with their parents and John's daughter prior to the game at M&T Bank Stadium on November 24, 2011 in Baltimore. The Ravens defeated the 49ers 16-6. Jamie Squire / Getty Images Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh (right) celebrates with his brother, head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens after the Ravens defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-17 in their AFC Wild Card game at Heinz Field on January 3, 2015 in Pittsburgh. Gene Sweeney Jr / Baltimore Sun Jim and John Harbaugh greet one another after facing each other on Thanksgiving in 2011. Patrick Semansky / Associated Press Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, left, reacts to a play next to his brother, Ravens coach John Harbaugh, in the first half. Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. Lam Ravens coach John Harbaugh and 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh stand together before kickoff. Show Caption of Expand It seemed to provide some extra motivation for John, who is seeking his second title and first trip back to the Super Bowl since the brothers coached against each other in February 2013. “Like any brother, sibling, your brother gets something, you want it too, right?” John, 61, said. “You become a part of the celebration and the confetti and the jubilation and the tears. And [it] just kind of sinks in. It’s like, ‘Man, I really want to experience this for our team, I want our team to experience this.’ “That’s the big picture. That’s the ultimate goal for the season. And then with that, back to one day at a time, one play at a time.” Jim, 60, the Ravens’ starting quarterback in 1998, returned the favor weeks later, attending the team’s divisional round playoff victory over the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium. Now the Ravens host the AFC championship game Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, with the winner advancing to Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas. 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COSTA MESA, Calif. — Jim Harbaugh will be the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, leaving Michigan after capping his ninth season as coach of college football’s winningest program with the school’s first national championship since 1997, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team hasn’t made the announcement. Harbaugh made the highly anticipated decision Wednesday to go back to the NFL after a second interview and resume his chase for a Super Bowl that eluded him as a quarterback and coach. He will be the first former Chargers player to return to the team as head coach. He played for the Bolts in 1999-2000 before retiring following the 2001 season. Los Angeles was looking for a new coach and general manager after Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco were fired on Dec. 15, a day after a 63-21 loss in Las Vegas to the Raiders. Harbaugh first met with the Chargers on Jan. 15. He was the eighth of 15 coaching candidates to interview with the Spanos family. He was the only one to get a second interview. The Atlanta Falcons also talked to Harbaugh on Jan. 16 and had booked a second interview before he decided to accept the Chargers job. Harbaugh was 86-25 at Michigan and restored college football’s winningest program to relevance after it slipped over several seasons under Brady Hoke and Rich Rodriguez following the retirement of national-championship winning coach Lloyd Carr. The rival Ohio State Buckeyes had an eight-game winning streak against the Wolverines until Harbaugh helped them snap the streak in 2021, leading to their first of three straight Big Ten titles and College Football Playoff appearances. Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, left, speaks with former quarterback Peyton Manning before the Ravens’ divisional round playoff game against the Texans on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Following two straight losses in the semifinals, extending Harbaugh’s winless streak in bowl games to six, Michigan outlasted Alabama at the Rose Bowl and pulled away from Washington to win the national championship with a school-record 15-0 mark. Michigan tried to keep Harbaugh, offering him a new six-year contract for $11.5 million per season, according to a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share details of the deal. Harbaugh’s alma mater could not offer the one thing he desperately wants — a Super Bowl title. The Chargers have one of the league’s top quarterbacks in Justin Herbert, but finished 5-12 this season and lost eight of their last nine, including the last five. Herbert will be playing for his fourth head coach and possibly fourth offensive coordinator in five seasons. This is the first time since 2007, when Norv Turner succeeded Marty Schottenheimer, that the Chargers have opted to go with someone with previous head coaching experience. Turner directed the team to three straight postseason appearances, including the AFC championship game during the 2007 season. The Chargers have not won a division title since 2009, which was also under Turner. View the full article

The AFC championship game is back in Baltimore for the first time since 1971, and the Ravens are bringing out some of the biggest names in the city’s sports history. Here’s a rundown of all the festivities at M&T Bank Stadium for Sunday’s 3 p.m. matchup between the Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs: Gate giveaway Upon stadium entry, all fans will receive a Ravens/AFC championship commemorative rally towel. Pregame Q&A and concert At 1:15 p.m., former Ravens wide receiver and Super Bowl champion Anquan Boldin will participate in a fan Q&A on the RavensWalk Bud Light Stage. Ravens Ring of Honor member and Super Bowl champion Terrell Suggs will also take part in a fan Q&A at 1:45 p.m. Additionally, the 2000s cover band So Fetch will perform for fans beginning at 11 a.m. on the Bud Light Stage. Player introductions Baltimore native Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time with 28 medals, will deliver the official game ball before player introductions. Also, the U.S. Navy Parachute Team “Leap Frogs” will descend into the stadium and onto the field. Fans are encouraged to arrive at their seats no later than 2:30 p.m. to enjoy all pregame festivities, which include the Ravens’ starting offense being introduced out of the tunnel. National anthem and flyover The Morgan State University Choir will sing the national anthem. There will also be a flyover by a United States Air Force B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber. Legends of the Game Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are Sunday’s “Legends of the Game.” The Pro Football Hall of Famers and Super Bowl champions will be introduced onto the field just before kickoff. The Ravens will also recognize former players Boldin, Todd Heap, Dennis Pitta, Matt Stover and Suggs throughout the game. Jonathan Ogden, an 11-time Pro Bowl selection and the Ravens’ first draft pick (fourth overall in 1996), will serve as the Ravens’ honorary captain. Halftime performance T-Pain, a Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and record producer, will perform from the Bud Light Touchdown Club during halftime. View the full article

Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey and tight end Mark Andrews both practiced Wednesday, while right guard Kevin Zeitler was missing as the team prepared for Sunday’s AFC championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Humphrey practiced for the first time since he injured his calf in a New Year’s Eve victory over the Miami Dolphins. Andrews was a full practice participant last week but did not play in the Ravens’ divisional round win over the Houston Texans, opting to give the ankle he injured in a Nov. 16 win over the Cincinnati Bengals another week to heal. Coach John Harbaugh was noncommittal Monday when asked if Humphrey and Andrews, both multiple-time Pro Bowl selections, would face the Chiefs. Zeitler played 61 of the team’s 68 offensive snaps against the Texans but missed the last two games of the regular season because of knee and calf injuries. Wide receiver Tylan Wallace, who missed the Texans game with a knee injury, was the only other Raven absent Wednesday. This story will be updated. View the full article

The Ravens dominated the second half to put away the Houston Texans, 34-10, in the AFC divisional round. The Chiefs outlasted the Bills in Buffalo, 27-24, to reach their sixth straight AFC championship game. Who will have the advantage when these heavyweights meet Sunday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium with a Super Bowl trip on the line? Ravens passing game vs. Chiefs pass defense Lamar Jackson started slowly on Saturday as the Texans blitzed him on 13 of 18 dropbacks in the first half, but he and offensive coordinator Todd Monken called more quick throws on early downs to start the second half, and the Ravens took off, scoring touchdowns on three straight drives to put the game away. Jackson’s gross passing statistics, 16 of 22 for 152 yards and two touchdowns, weren’t eye-popping, but he delivered exactly what his team needed to win the game, much as he had in late-season thumpings of the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins. As Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said, that’s why he’s going to win NFL Most Valuable Player honors. Jackson has thrown efficiently against pressure all season and will expect more of the same Sunday from Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, whose defense blitzed on 32.9% of dropbacks during the regular season, the league’s seventh-highest rate. The Chiefs managed no sacks and just two quarterback hits against the Bills’ Josh Allen, one of the few quarterbacks who’s as dangerous in motion as Jackson. After struggling to pick up a few blitzes early, the Ravens’ offensive line protected Jackson ably against Houston, with left tackle Ronnie Stanley playing perhaps his best game of the season. Right guard Kevin Zeitler looked uncomfortable starting the game on his injured knee, allowing a sack and a hurry, but he played better as the afternoon went on. The Ravens will need solid work from Zeitler and the rest of their interior blockers against Kansas City’s superstar defensive tackle, Chris Jones (10 1/2 sacks, 29 quarterback hits). Jackson spread his 16 completions among eight receivers against the Texans and might have to take a similarly democratic approach against the Chiefs, who bring consistent pressure and prevent chunk plays on the back end. Quarterbacks averaged just 4.9 yards per attempt against them this season, and Allen, one of the league’s most gifted passers, was at 4.8 in the divisional round. Jackson has rarely lost patience and forced turnover-worthy throws this season, but Kansas City, led by All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie, will test his discipline. Rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers looked fine after appearing on the injury report with a sore calf all last week. Jackson might also have his favorite target, tight end Mark Andrews, who was a full practice participant last week but decided he wasn’t quite ready to return from the serious ankle injury he suffered in November. Isaiah Likely continued his excellent work as Andrews’ stand-in with a touchdown catch, his sixth in the past six games, against Houston. EDGE: Even Chiefs passing game vs. Ravens pass defense Patrick Mahomes endured perhaps his most frustrating season as a pro, undermined by ham-handed receivers who cost him several close games. But he was terrific in hostile Buffalo — 17 of 23, 215 yards, two touchdowns, no turnovers — and has the Chiefs on the doorstep of another Super Bowl appearance. He’s the standard bearer at the sport’s most important position because he can make any throw from any angle, use his legs to pick up clutch first downs and rally his team under the most dire circumstances. There is no proven formula to beat him, but he has been less sublime against defenses that generate pressure without blitzing, drop seven or eight into coverage and force him to look away from his first read. That’s the Ravens, who kept the Texans’ terrific rookie, C.J. Stroud, out of the red zone and without an offensive touchdown despite finishing with zero sacks or takeaways. Coordinator Mike Macdonald will hope for more of both Sunday, but his group’s discipline is as impressive as its disguised looks and playmaking acumen. Defensive tackle Justin Madubuike and edge rushers Jadeveon Clowney, Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh combined for 15 pressures against Stroud and will go against a so-so pair of tackles Donovan Smith and Jawaan Taylor. Left guard Joe Thuney, arguably the Chiefs’ best offensive lineman, suffered a pectoral injury against the Bills and could be hampered if not sidelined against the Ravens. Mahomes no longer has Tyreek Hill as an over-the-top target but did establish a productive connection with wide receiver Rashee Rice (79 catches on 102 targets, 938 yards, seven touchdowns) down the stretch. Tight end Travis Kelce remains one of the most prolific pass catchers at his position (12 catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns in Kansas City’s two playoff wins), but at age 34, he isn’t quite the terror he was in previous seasons. It will be interesting to see how often the Ravens cover him with multiple defenders and how often they put All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton on the job. Macdonald will try to keep the picture in front of Mahomes confusing, shifting coverages and using Hamilton and Pro Bowl linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen to gum up the middle of the field. Mahomes is an all-time blitz killer, so don’t expect Ravens defensive backs to come screaming off the edge more than a few times. Hamilton’s versatility will be key because he’s mobile and rugged enough to shadow Mahomes at times and blow up Chiefs coach Andy Reid’s beloved screens. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey missed the Texans game with a calf injury he suffered in the Ravens’ New Year’s Eve victory over the Dolphins. EDGE: Even Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson hands off to running back Delvin Cook in the fourth quarter against the Texans. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Ravens running game vs. Chiefs run defense Houston had allowed just one opponent to run for more than 100 yards over its previous seven games, but the Ravens rumbled for 229. Jackson was more assertive keeping the ball than he had been for most of the regular season, rushing for a team-high 100 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. Justice Hill came through with 66 yards on 13 carries, while four-time Pro Bowl selection Dalvin Cook showed some juice with a 19-yard run in his Ravens debut. The Ravens’ top-ranked ground game could be the difference against a run defense that allowed 4.5 yards per carry during the regular season and ranks 27th in DVOA. The Bills pounded out 182 rushing yards in the divisional round, led by Allen’s 72 on 12 carries. Inside linebackers Nick Bolton and Willie Gay earned solid grades against the run from Pro Football Focus, but the Chiefs don’t have a standout interior run defender. EDGE: Ravens Chiefs running game vs. Ravens run defense Isiah Pacheco, a churning force who averaged 3.06 yards after contact per attempt, sets this Kansas City offense apart from previous editions. He ran for 97 yards on 15 attempts against Buffalo’s battered defense, which could not bring him down to prevent the Chiefs from running out the clock at the end of the game. The Chiefs still rely on the pass first, but Pacheco is exactly the type of runner the Ravens have struggled to stop this season. 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They will also need to keep an eye on Mahomes, who rarely takes off on designed runs but remains a deadly scrambler. His 5.2 yards per attempt led the Chiefs, and he picked up 27 first downs on 75 carries. EDGE: Even Ravens special teams vs. Chiefs special teams The Ravens overcame a rough start to finish third in special teams DVOA, but their struggles in punt coverage resurfaced against the Texans, who scored their only touchdown on a 67-yard return by Steven Sims. Jordan Stout also misfired on a 24-yard punt in the first half on a windy afternoon. Justin Tucker had no such problems, making field goals from 53 and 43 yards. Devin Duvernay was back as the team’s punt and kickoff returner after a back injury sidelined him for the last month of the regular season. The Chiefs ranked sixth in special teams DVOA in the regular season, and kicker Harrison Butker has actually outperformed Tucker this year, making 39 of 41 field-goal attempts including the postseason. He has made 27 of 31 attempts in his postseason career, often kicking in frigid conditions. The Chiefs have averaged a modest 9.3 yards on punt returns. EDGE: Chiefs Ravens intangibles vs. Chiefs intangibles The Ravens reorganized themselves after an uneasy start against Houston, with a fiery Jackson the loudest voice in the postgame locker room. The MVP favorite is more assertive than in his previous five seasons, and coach John Harbaugh has said this is the most connected team of his 16-year tenure in Baltimore. It’s also arguably his most dominant, coming off double-digit wins against the 49ers, Dolphins and Texans. This is Harbaugh’s first trip to a conference championship game since the Ravens won the Super Bowl 11 years ago, and it’s the first conference championship game the Ravens have ever hosted. Their boisterous home crowd assisted against the Texans, who committed seven presnap penalties. The Chiefs are kings of the AFC, looking to make their fourth Super Bowl appearance in five years. They go into every game confident because of Mahomes, and Reid remains an elite play designer even though he’s the league’s oldest coach. The Chiefs have never had to win a conference championship game on the road, but Mahomes’ winning percentage actually improves on the rare occasions he’s an underdog. The Ravens were clearly the more dominant team in the regular season, but the Chiefs won’t doubt their chances, even if they fall behind early. EDGE: Even Prediction The Ravens have been better than the Chiefs this year. They have more ways to win and in Jackson, a superstar who seems ready to come into his own as a true rival to Mahomes. No one blows out the Chiefs, however, and no lead will ever feel safe against Mahomes. The quarterbacks will headline, but this game could just as easily come down to the defenses. Kansas City will pressure Jackson and make it difficult for him to move the ball in chunks. But the Ravens were just as stingy against big plays and much better at creating takeaways. They will disturb Mahomes just enough to pull out a tense win. Ravens 30, Chiefs 24 View the full article

There are a lot of similarities between Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson, but there is one significant distinction. Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, is a two-time world champion and was the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player in each of their wins in 2018 and 2022. Jackson, the Ravens quarterback, has yet to even play for one. But that might change. Jackson and top-seeded Baltimore will get the opportunity Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium when they host Mahomes and the Chiefs in the AFC title game, the first the Ravens have played at home. This isn’t about passing the torch from one icon to another like Los Angeles Lakers guard Magic Johnson to Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan when both played on the “Dream Team” in the 1992 Olympics. Both Mahomes, 28, and Jackson, 26, are in the prime of their careers. Mahomes has had better coaching and more talent around him, but this season has seen a reversal in fortunes. The absence of titles on Jackson’s resume is glaring compared with Mahomes’, whose Chiefs will be playing in a sixth straight conference championship game. “It’s a huge challenge,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of Kansas City. “We’re playing a great football team, they’re very talented and very well-coached. They know how to win. They’ve been in these situations many times. They’ve been here before. It’s our first time with this team and these guys, but we’re up for the challenge, and we’re excited.” Jackson has been on a roll this season. He is likely to win his second NFL MVP Award — the other came unanimously after his 2019 season — but more importantly, he played well in the divisional round during the Ravens’ 34-10 win over the Texans, accounting for four touchdowns. He completed 16 of 22 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns and added 100 yards rushing and two scores on 11 carries. He did more damage with his legs than his arm, but that’s always been a major part of his success. The Ravens wanted to upgrade their passing game to become more balanced with the rushing attack, and the team succeeded with 541 rushing attempts compared with 457 passes. Jackson completed 67.2% of his throws for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns with seven interceptions in the regular season, and he led the team in rushing, too, with 821 yards and five touchdowns on 148 carries. Because of his speed, Jackson is a threat from anywhere on the field. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson runs in the fourth quarter Saturday against the Texans. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes reacts after beating the Bills on Sunday in Orchard Park, New York. (Adrian Kraus/AP) Show Caption of Expand “I would tell you, it’s somewhat the same,” Kansas City coach Andy Reid said when asked how Jackson compares with Bills quarterback Josh Allen. “You have to stay in your lanes, you have to stay disciplined with any quarterback that runs. Lamar is special, he’s fast and one of the faster guys on the field when it’s all said and done and he’s shifty. Where Josh will go right through you, he doesn’t care, he’s a big big man and probably equally as fast. “He’s a fast kid, he’s run away from secondary players, you’ve seen that on tape. This kid [Jackson], he throws it well, he throws it on the move well, runs the ball well so we’ve just got to stay on top of that part of it throughout practice this week and then during the game.” While Jackson and Allen are different types of hybrids, Mahomes is the most complete quarterback in the NFL. No signal-caller is more elusive than Jackson, and Allen might have the strongest arm in the league (no offense, Aaron Rodgers). But Mahomes is the total package. He has the touch and, oh, so much vision. He also completed 67.2% of his passing attempts for 4,138 yards and 27 touchdowns but threw a career-high 14 interceptions in the regular season. Mahomes also scrambled for 389 yards on 75 carries for an average of 5.2 yards. Beyond the statistics, he has more deliveries than the pizza man. “Patrick just has great pocket presence,” Harbaugh said. “He sees the field, and he feels the pocket. He must have an antenna that he just senses all that, like your car has all those sensors that start beeping when guys get close. It must be that way for him because he kind of senses the pressure, and he’s able to just move around and get away but keep his eyes downfield, slip out and all those kinds of things. That’s what he does. “Everybody that watches football knows it. It’s one of his gifts, so we’re going to have to really study it and be good at defending it. I do like our guys’ chances. We’ve got a lot of really good athletes, a lot of guys who play hard, so we’ll just try to make it as hard on him as we can.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Chiefs scouting report for the AFC championship game: Who has the edge? Baltimore Ravens | To reach Super Bowl 58, Ravens coach John Harbaugh must go through his mentor, Andy Reid, and the Chiefs Baltimore Ravens | Ravens AFC championship tickets have sold out Baltimore Ravens | All will be well if Taylor Swift’s NFL tour ends not so well in Baltimore — a little friendly trash talk Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 101 for Swifties: Here’s what Taylor Swift fans need to know about Travis Kelce and the Chiefs’ opponent The teams appear even statistically. Offensively, the Ravens are ranked No. 6 overall — No. 1 in rushing (156.5 yards per game) and No. 21 in passing (213.8) — while the Chiefs are ninth — 19th in rushing (104.9) and sixth in passing (246.4). Defensively, Kansas City has the statistical edge with the No. 2 overall ranking (113.2 rushing, 176.5 passing) while the Ravens are ranked sixth overall allowing averages of 109.4 rushing and 191.9 passing a game. If you want to go deeply analytical, though, the Ravens are better across the board. According to FTNFantasy’s Aaron Schatz’s Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) system, which breaks down every single NFL play and compares a team’s performance to a league-average baseline based on situation and opponent, the Ravens are No. 1 overall. They have the top-ranked defense, the No. 3 special teams and the No. 4 offense. The Chiefs, meanwhile, are fifth in DVOA overall, eighth offensively, seventh defensively and sixth on special teams. In fact, Schatz puts this Ravens team among the greatest ever based on his measurement. Mahomes has carried the offense this season. In the past two years, the Chiefs have allowed two of their top receivers to leave. They traded star wideout Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a bevy of draft picks, including a first-rounder. After last season, receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster left Kansas City to sign a free agent contract with the New England Patriots, while offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy joined the Commanders to become their play-caller. The Ravens, though, brought in Todd Monken from the University of Georgia to become Jackson’s third coordinator in six years. They also signed free agent receivers Nelson Agholor and Odell Beckham Jr. and drafted Boston College rookie receiver Zay Flowers with their top pick in April’s draft. They also have gotten solid contributions for tight end Isaiah Likely in place of the injured Mark Andrews and third-year wideout Rashod Bateman. In previous years, the Ravens built everything around Jackson in an obsolete run-first offense. Now we see what he can do with real playmaking receivers. Both quarterbacks are explosive, can improvise and extend plays with their arms and legs. The only difference is that Mahomes has won two Super Bowl titles and Jackson hasn’t even made an appearance. Jackson wants to change that. It’s about time, or better yet, it might be his time. View the full article

Some of Leslie Frazier’s fondest memories from his time as the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive backs coach were the days when he and John Harbaugh would duck out of their first-floor offices inside Veterans Stadium, stroll down the hall and catch a Phillies game. “I’m a big baseball fan,” Frazier, most recently the Buffalo Bills’ defensive coordinator and currently an analyst for NFL Network, told The Baltimore Sun. “We could just walk in and sit and watch a game. We’d just sit down and chill and relax for a few innings and then go back to work. That’s so unique.” For Mike Reed, another former Eagles defensive backs and special teams coach now coaching at Clemson, it was what he calls “great fellowship” over some “good food late at night,” refusing to divulge the details with a hearty laugh. Ron Rivera, meanwhile, recalled his days as the team’s linebackers coach nearly two decades before his stint as the Commanders coach and a helpful piece of advice he received about handling problems with players away from the watchful eyes of ownership and the general manager. They were all young coaches trying to find their way in the NFL. They are also just a few branches of the coaching tree of Andy Reid, who coached the Eagles from 1999 to 2012 and has helmed the Chiefs since 2013. Three of his former assistants have reached the Super Bowl as head coaches, with two of them (Harbaugh and Doug Pederson) having won it. In all, 11 former assistants under Reid in Philadelphia and Kansas City have gone on to become head coaches in the NFL, with five of them still in that role at the start of this season. “We were more than just co-workers,” Frazier said about his four seasons with the Eagles from 1999 to 2002, a stint that included two NFC championship game appearances. “There was a genuine love for each other. That superseded what we had to get done on the football field, and on top of that we were successful.” Reed described the experience similarly. “Great chemistry,” he said. “You wouldn’t be surprised to see guys in each other’s offices having conversations about more than football. You don’t see a lot of that in the NFL. A lot of times, it’s a job and that’s it. “And Andy, he’s like the godfather.” Sunday’s AFC championship game between the Ravens and Chiefs features no shortage of juicy storylines. There’s last year’s NFL Most Valuable Player, Kansas City quarterback and two-time world champion Patrick Mahomes, against this year’s presumptive MVP, Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, who is trying to reach his first Super Bowl. There’s the battle of two of the league’s best defenses, with the Ravens leading the NFL in sacks (60) and points allowed per game (16.1) and the Chiefs second in sacks (57) and points allowed per game (17.1). And, of course, there’s Harbaugh against Reid, pupil vs. teacher. The two men have faced off as head coaches seven times, with Reid, 65, owning a 5-2 mark against his former assistant. Four of those wins came with the Chiefs. Then-Eagles coach Andy Reid, left, talks with Ravens coach John Harbaugh before a game in Philadelphia on Sept. 16, 2012. (Rob Carr/Getty) The lone win for Harbaugh, 61, against Reid’s Kansas City club came the last time the two teams met, in Week 2 of the 2021 season when the Ravens rallied to a 36-35 victory in Baltimore. Before that, it was all Kansas City, including a 27-24 overtime win in 2018. But never have the two met with so much at stake, in this case, a trip to the Super Bowl. “It’s a big deal in terms of the relationship,” Harbaugh said Monday. “It goes back a long, long way. [I have the] utmost respect for Andy, utmost appreciation for what he’s accomplished as a coach. We were together for 10 years — the first 10 years there in Philly. We were in a lot of championship games, a lot of playoff games. I learned so much. “Then, competing against him now all these years has been really challenging. Andy’s a great coach. He has a great staff.” Harbaugh’s tenure in Philadelphia began before Reid even got there. He was hired as special teams coordinator in 1998 by then-coach Ray Rhodes. But after the Eagles went 3-13 that season, Rhodes was fired. Reid, who was the Green Bay Packers’ quarterbacks coach under Mike Holmgren, was hired to replace him, and in a somewhat unusual move, he retained Harbaugh along with three other holdovers from the Eagles’ staff. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Chiefs scouting report for the AFC championship game: Who has the edge? Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Lamar Jackson vs. Patrick Mahomes with a Super Bowl trip on the line is a treat | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens AFC championship tickets have sold out Baltimore Ravens | All will be well if Taylor Swift’s NFL tour ends not so well in Baltimore — a little friendly trash talk Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 101 for Swifties: Here’s what Taylor Swift fans need to know about Travis Kelce and the Chiefs’ opponent “John is an intense dude,” Frazier said. “He had our special teams playing at a high level, so I’m sure that’s why Andy retained him. “Their dynamic was two guys who had different coaching styles, but both being very demanding of playing up to the standard. John was more in your face, whereas Andy was more communicating in short bursts what he wanted and how he wanted it. That was the beauty of the staff that Andy put together; it wasn’t a staff of yes men.” It didn’t take long for Harbaugh to make an impression. In one of his first meetings with Reid, he recalled seeing a small note card on a bulletin board behind the coach’s desk. It had the words “Don’t judge” written on it. “I got the nerve to ask him about it one time, and he just basically [said] it was a Biblical principle,” Harbaugh said. “Take people where they’re at. Assume the best. Try to communicate with everybody on equal terms. I’ve never forgotten that.” Though he stayed in Philadelphia for nine years, it was obvious to those around him that Harbaugh would one day be the one behind the desk, and in 2008 Baltimore hired him to replace Brian Billick. Though he famously wasn’t the first choice of owner Steve Bisciotti, the decision paid off. In his fifth year in Baltimore, Harbaugh led the Ravens to a Super Bowl title. And in 2019, he was named NFL Coach of the Year after the Ravens went 14-2 in the regular season. Now, he is on the cusp again. Harbaugh’s days with the Eagles are long behind him, but they forever shaped him and the coach he has become. “We were all at that good learning age,” Rivera said of his time with Harbaugh and the others in Philadelphia. “We knew enough to be dangerous, but we didn’t know enough to be really, really good. A lot of us wanted to be really, really good. “It seemed like Andy trusted [Harbaugh] right off the bat. You could see John going about his business in such an unbelievably professional manner already. He understood the responsibilities from the beginning.” Added Reed: “[Harbaugh] was a great leader. He wasn’t afraid to call people out and tell people the truth. It wasn’t gray. And he truly cared for guys, which is why he’s been so successful in Baltimore.” And all that stands in the way of a second trip to the Super Bowl for Harbaugh is his former mentor and a few other Eagles assistants during his time in Philadelphia, including defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Come kickoff Sunday, he likely won’t be thinking too much about them or his time in Philadelphia with Reid. But he is beyond grateful for the experience. “Andy came in, [and] I was hoping to stay, and he gave me an opportunity to do it,” Harbaugh said. “I was young and just figuring things out. “That was good of him, and hope he’s glad he did, looking back on it.” AFC championship game Chiefs at Ravens Sunday, 3 p.m. TV: CBS Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM Line: Ravens by 3 1/2 View the full article

Tickets for Sunday’s AFC championship between the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank sold out after being up for sale, a spokesperson for the Ravens said. The spokesperson did not have an exact timeframe for how quickly the tickets sold out. The game will determine who goes to the Super Bowl and will start at 3:00 p.m. The Ravens earned their place in the championship round after beating the Houston Texans 34-10 last Saturday. In addition to the team, led by quarterback Lamar Jackson, many fans will flock to the game to hopefully spot Taylor Swift. Swift has made national headlines for her relationship with Travis Kelce, star tight end for the Kanas City Chiefs. Swift has been spotted at several games this season, including last week’s matchup between the Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills. View the full article

Hey, Baltimore, it’s finally our turn on Taylor Swift’s NFL tour. Swifties and the Flock will unite at M&T Bank Stadium for the AFC championship game between the Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. We won’t root for “Bad Blood” since, after all, this is just a Sunday afternoon date for Swift and her boyfriend Travis Kelce, tight end for the Chiefs. But there’s nothing wrong with celebrating Swift’s first Ravens game with a little trash talk right from the singer’s own mouth. So get your Sharpies and posters ready to make some signs — Swiftie style — with these Taylor Swift song lyrics: Two Kansas City Chiefs fans hold a sign referencing a Taylor Swift song during the first half of a game against the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 10, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Reed Hoffmann/AP photo) Karma is the guy [on the Ravens] bringing the [Lombardi Trophy] straight home to me” — Karma “We never go out of style.” — Style “Don’t get sad, get even.” — Vigilante S**t Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens AFC championship tickets have sold out Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 101 for Swifties: Here’s what Taylor Swift fans need to know about Travis Kelce and the Chiefs’ opponent Baltimore Ravens | Sorry, Ravens fans. You’re stuck with Tony Romo and Jim Nantz. | ANALYSIS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens TE Mark Andrews, CB Marlon Humphrey still uncertain for AFC championship game vs. Chiefs Baltimore Ravens | Five things to know about the Kansas City Chiefs, the Ravens’ opponent in the AFC championship game Gonna make “you run and hide—like a scared little boy” — Forever & Always “Now we got problems, and I don’t think we can solve ’em.” — Bad Blood “Ooh, look what you made me do … [win an AFC title!]” — Look What You Made Me Do “[Ravens] come back stronger than a ’90s trend.” — Willow “Let’s hear the applause C’mon show me how much better you are” — Better Than Revenge Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, right, watches his extra-point try along with holder Jordan Stout during a game against the Steelers. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) “Shake It Off” [we have Tucker] — Shake It Off “But I keep cruising Can’t stop, won’t stop moving …” [Until the Ravens reach the Super Bowl] — Shake It Off “Your heart was glass. I dropped it.” — Champagne Problems “Nothing lasts forever, but this is getting good now.” — Wildest Dreams Jamie Squire/Getty Images North America/TNSChiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, left, shakes hands with Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson after Kansas City won, 27-24, in overtime at Arrowhead Stadium in December 2018. “It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero.” — Anti-Hero “So it’s gonna be forever, or it’s gonna go down in flames. You can tell me when it’s over if the high was worth the pain.” —Blank Space “You look like my next mistake Love’s a game, wanna play?” —Blank Space View the full article

One of the most popular figures in the world is likely to be the center of attention in Baltimore on Sunday. No, it’s not Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson or his counterpart on the Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes. It’s Taylor Swift. You might have heard of her. Baltimore-area Swifties are undoubtedly excited for the world-famous singer, songwriter, musician and producer to appear at M&T Bank Stadium to cheer on her boyfriend, Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce, for a chance to play on the greatest stage in sports — the Super Bowl. For Swifties who aren’t familiar with the Chiefs’ opponent on Sunday, here’s what you need to know about the Ravens: The Ravens have their own Superman Jackson might not be quite as accomplished or popular as Mahomes, but he’s not terribly far off. Baltimore’s quarterback is the favorite to win his second NFL Most Valuable Player Award after also claiming the league’s top honor unanimously after his incredible 2019 season. But the Ravens haven’t won much in the playoffs with Jackson — until now. Another popular figure is wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who was rumored to be seeing Kim Kardashian last year and has more Instagram followers than any other player in the NFL with 17.7 million. The Ravens are going to be the Chiefs’ toughest test yet No team in the NFL was better in the regular season than the Ravens, who went 13-4 to earn home-field advantage until the Super Bowl and are favored to beat the Chiefs on Sunday. While Kansas City battled the Buffalo Bills tooth and nail this past weekend, Baltimore easily defeated the Houston Texans, 34-10, to advance. Jackson is having a better season than Mahomes, and the Ravens’ defense is the best in the league by most metrics. Baltimore has no real weaknesses, and it will be enjoying a loud home crowd, which will see the first home AFC championship game in Ravens history and first for the city since the Colts, who left town for Indianapolis many years ago, beat the Oakland Raiders in 1971. The teams haven’t played in a while and almost everything has changed September 2021 was the last time these two teams faced each other, and the Ravens pulled through in a tight one, 36-35, in prime time. But Mahomes, Kelce and the Chiefs beat Baltimore three straight years from 2018 to 2020. Both teams look much different from the last time they squared off, but the mainstays — Jackson, Mahomes and Kelce — remain. The jacket Taylor Swift wore to the Chiefs’ game against the Dolphins was created by Towson University graduate Kristin Juszczyk, who is married to a former Ravens player. (Ed Zurga/AP) That famous custom jacket has Ravens roots You know the one, right? The one she wore to the Chiefs’ playoff game against the Miami Dolphins? The woman who created it, Kristin Juszczyk, graduated in 2016 from Towson University, which is located in a suburb of Baltimore. And before her husband, Kyle Juszczyk, played for the San Francisco 49ers, he was a fullback with the Ravens from 2013 to 2016. Travis Kelce has performed all too well against the Ravens I mentioned the Ravens beat the Chiefs the last time they played, but Kelce had a good game, finishing with 109 yards and a touchdown on seven catches. Overall, Kelce has 33 receptions for 435 yards and two touchdowns in five career games against Baltimore. The Ravens have their own star tight end Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Sorry, Ravens fans. You’re stuck with Tony Romo and Jim Nantz. | ANALYSIS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens TE Mark Andrews, CB Marlon Humphrey still uncertain for AFC championship game vs. Chiefs Baltimore Ravens | Five things to know about the Kansas City Chiefs, the Ravens’ opponent in the AFC championship game Baltimore Ravens | Will Taylor Swift come to Baltimore to cheer on Chiefs in AFC title game against Ravens? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens roundtable: Answering 5 biggest questions entering AFC championship vs. Chiefs He’s not dating one of the most famous superstars in the world, but Mark Andrews is Jackson’s favorite receiver. He’s been hurt since mid-November but there’s a real chance he makes his triumphant return on Sunday. He led Baltimore with six touchdown catches when he got hurt, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if, by the end of the game, everyone is talking about the Ravens’ tight end and not Kelce. Even the Ravens’ backup tight end, Isaiah Likely, has played well, catching six touchdown passes in his past six games. The Ravens have their own Super Bowls, too While the Chiefs are the defending Super Bowl champions and also won at the end of the 2019 season, the Ravens won world championships at the end of the 2000 and 2012 seasons. That’s not bad for a franchise that started in 1996, as it’s one fewer than Kansas City has in its 64 seasons before this one. Baltimore has been in exile until now Swift skipped the Baltimore area for her global “The Eras Tour,” which made stops seemingly everywhere but here. M&T Bank Stadium has hosted Beyoncé, Billy Joel and others, but Swift has never played in Baltimore. The last time she performed in Maryland was in 2018 with a stop at FedEx Field (home of the NFL’s Washington Commanders) during her Reputation Stadium World Tour. So there will be plenty of Baltimoreans eager to get a glimpse of the superstar as they cheer on the Ravens. 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Let’s get this out of the way first: Calling an NFL game isn’t easy. It can be difficult for even the most experienced football observers to follow what’s happening on any given play, let alone break it down in real time before the next snap. You can’t fake it. That’s why play-by-play announcers and color analysts who are prepared and knowledgeable stand out above the rest. For many years, Jim Nantz and Tony Romo were at the top of the list. Romo, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, joined the CBS booth in 2017, just one year after his playing career ended. He immediately became a star, earning praise for his excited reactions, detailed breakdowns and ability to predict plays before they happened. From 2018 to 2020, Nantz and Romo ranked first in Awful Announcing’s annual reader vote of the NFL’s best broadcast crews. But their reputation started to change. They fell to fourth in 2022 and sixth in 2023, with the website noting last week increasing “backlash towards Romo and his broadcasting style” and that “the novelty of his exuberance has worn off.” Take, for example, some odd moments from Sunday night’s call of the Kansas City Chiefs’ 27-24 win over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC divisional round: Nantz remarked that the last time Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs played at Buffalo, there were zero fans at Highmark Stadium because of coronavirus restrictions. In an attempt at humor, Romo said: “Well, that’s how many fans I play in front of normally at my house. I pretend like they’re all there, but there’s zero.” After a go-ahead touchdown pass from Bills quarterback Josh Allen to receiver Khalil Shakir late in the third quarter, Romo remarked that it was the first touchdown given up all season by standout Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, an excellent observation. But he followed up by saying, “This is a dime, not a donkey, by Josh Allen!” Perhaps continuing a running joke he started earlier this season by referring to music star Taylor Swift as Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce’s “wife,” he reacted to a camera shot of Swift celebrating in front of Kelce’s older brother Jason by saying, “there’s your brother-in-law, right behind you.” After Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid was penalized for illegal batting when he knocked a fumble out of bounds to prevent the Chiefs from recovering it, Romo said “the old Franco Harris play to tip the ball forward to your teammate is no longer allowed.” He apparently confused the “Immaculate Reception” by the Pittsburgh Steelers legend with another famous play known as “The Holy Roller,” a forward fumble by Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler that led to a game-winning touchdown. In the Bills’ win over the Steelers in the wild-card round, Romo was apparently unaware that running back Jaylen Warren had become a big part of Pittsburgh’s offense because he didn’t call many Steelers games. He also made an awkward comment during a break in the action in reference to the national holiday, with no follow-up: “What a day. Martin Luther King Jr. Deserves to have a day named after him.” For Romo, a few gaffes are understandable when speaking on live television for as many hours as he does. But he’s reportedly earning close to $18 million annually as part of a 10-year contract he signed with CBS last year, making him one of the highest-paid announcers. For many years, Jim Nantz, right, and Tony Romo were considered the best NFL broadcasting duo. Not anymore. (Morry Gash/AP file) His decline has been apparent to the network, too. The New York Post reported in February that CBS executives “staged something of an intervention” with Romo the previous offseason to motivate him to take his job more seriously and be better prepared. Compared with other top NFL broadcast booths, namely Kevin Burkhardt and Greg Olsen of Fox, Joe Buck and Troy Aikman of ESPN and Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth of NBC, Nantz and Romo are clearly a tier below. (Though it should be noted that CBS’ production crew delivers a high-quality presentation of the game with graphics, replays, music and camera work, while sideline reporters such as Tracy Wolfson and Evan Washburn are among the best in the game.) Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens TE Mark Andrews, CB Marlon Humphrey still uncertain for AFC championship game vs. Chiefs Baltimore Ravens | Five things to know about the Kansas City Chiefs, the Ravens’ opponent in the AFC championship game Baltimore Ravens | Will Taylor Swift come to Baltimore to cheer on Chiefs in AFC title game against Ravens? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens roundtable: Answering 5 biggest questions entering AFC championship vs. Chiefs Baltimore Ravens | Baltimore weather: Rain possible for Ravens-Chiefs AFC title game Sunday — and for much of the week leading up to it Olsen, a former tight end, has been exceptional at explaining the nuance of the game. Aikman, the former Cowboys star quarterback, offers pointed analysis while also being unafraid of sharing his opinion — including calling out the Philadelphia Eagles for their apparent lack of effort in an embarrassing wild-card round loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Collinsworth is perhaps just as polarizing as Romo, but he at least brings joy and enthusiasm and is well aware of important trends, analytics and modern philosophy as the majority owner of Pro Football Focus. Meanwhile, Burkhardt, Buck and Tirico deliver the appropriate level of excitement during big moments, something Nantz has done inconsistently of late. At times, some of his calls during the Bills-Steelers and Chiefs-Bills games felt as if he was watching an early-season matchup between two mediocre teams. (Though he deserves credit for his call of Tyler Bass’ missed 44-yard field goal attempt late in the fourth quarter Sunday: “Wide. Right. The two most dreaded words in Buffalo have surfaced again.”) Unfortunately for Ravens and other NFL fans, Nantz and Romo will be all too familiar during the postseason. In addition to broadcasting Sunday’s AFC championship game, the first at M&T Bank Stadium and the first in Baltimore since 1971, CBS will also have the call for Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas on Feb. 11. Players and coaches need to bring their best in the postseason to avoid getting sent home. For many fans, these games provide some of the most memorable moments of their lives. It’s only fair that announcers treat their jobs with the appropriate level of preparation and respect. AFC championship game Chiefs at Ravens Sunday, 3 p.m. TV: CBS Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM Line: Ravens by 3 1/2 View the full article

The Ravens still don’t know if tight end Mark Andrews and cornerback Marlon Humphrey will return from injuries for Sunday’s AFC championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs, coach John Harbaugh said on Monday. Andrews, who injured his ankle in the Ravens’ Nov. 16 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, was a full practice participant on Wednesday and Thursday last week before he and the team decided he was not quite ready to contribute in the divisional round Saturday against the Houston Texans. “We’ll just see how it goes,” Harbaugh said. “We’re looking forward to it. He practiced last week, and I’m sure he’ll practice again this week. If he’s ready to play, he’ll play.” Isaiah Likely has filled in superbly, catching six touchdown passes in the team’s past six games, including one against Houston. Humphrey limped off with a calf injury in the team’s New Year’s Eve victory over the Miami Dolphins and did not practice last week. “I promise you if Marlon can go, he will. If he can practice, he will,” Harbaugh said. “You’ll see it as the week goes on, based on how much he practices. You’ll probably get a pretty good feel for it. If he can be out there, he’ll for sure be out there. I’m very hopeful, but we’ll have to see what happens.” Without Humphrey, the Ravens kept Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud from reaching the red zone or scoring an offensive touchdown. Ronald Darby will likely start across from Brandon Stephens at cornerback if the three-time Pro Bowl selection is unavailable. Harbaugh said his top-seeded team is eager to host the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs, who will appear in their sixth straight AFC championship game. “It’s a huge challenge,” he said. “They’ve been here before. It’s our first time with this team and these guys, but we’re up for the challenge, and we’re excited.” The Ravens have not made it this far since they won the Super Bowl 11 years ago, and kicker Justin Tucker is the only player remaining from that team. They have never hosted a conference championship game, and this will be the first one in Baltimore since the Colts beat the Oakland Raiders in 1971. They’ll have to devise a game plan to limit Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who has won two Super Bowls and two NFL Most Valuable Player Awards. “He extends plays, buys time to run sometimes, buys time to throw,” Harbaugh said. “He’s unique, plays his own brand of football. We’ll just have to study him and do our best to keep him under wraps.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Five things to know about the Kansas City Chiefs, the Ravens’ opponent in the AFC championship game Baltimore Ravens | Will Taylor Swift come to Baltimore to cheer on Chiefs in AFC title game against Ravens? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens roundtable: Answering 5 biggest questions entering AFC championship vs. Chiefs Baltimore Ravens | Baltimore weather: Rain possible for Ravens-Chiefs AFC title game Sunday — and for much of the week leading up to it Baltimore Ravens | Travis Kelce scores twice and Chiefs beat Bills, 27-24, to advance to face Ravens in AFC championship They’ll also have to deal with running back Isaiah Pacheco, whom Harbaugh called “as physical a runner as there is in this league,” and with an aggressive defense coordinated by Steve Spagnuolo, who worked on Harbaugh’s staff in 2013 and 2014. The Ravens and this year’s MVP favorite, Lamar Jackson, beat Mahomes and the Chiefs the last time they played in 2021 but had lost three straight to Kansas City before that. Harbaugh said those matchups and his past experiences in AFC championship games won’t have much bearing on Sunday’s contest. “It’s a new time. It’s this team against that team at this time,” he said. “That’s what we’re focused on. We’ve just got to keep it simple and get ready to play the game.” AFC championship game Chiefs at Ravens Sunday, 3 p.m. TV: CBS Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM Line: Ravens by 3 1/2 View the full article

The Ravens are one win away from reaching the Super Bowl. All that stands in their way are the defending champions. The Kansas City Chiefs will head to Baltimore for Sunday’s AFC championship game after defeating the Buffalo Bills, 27-24, in the divisional round. It’s the first home AFC title game for the Ravens and the first in Baltimore since 1971, when the Colts beat the Oakland Raiders. It’s also the first matchup between Baltimore and Kansas City since September 2021, when Lamar Jackson and the Ravens held on for a thrilling 36-35 win at M&T Bank Stadium. To get ready for the rematch, here are five things to know about the Chiefs: They also have an MVP quarterback While Jackson is on his way to earning a second NFL Most Valuable Player Award, he’s going up against a quarterback unanimously considered the best in the league. Patrick Mahomes is not only a two-time MVP winner, but a two-time Super Bowl champion, leading Kansas City to the title in the 2018 and 2022 seasons. Drafted in the first round one year before Jackson in 2017, the 28-year-old Mahomes has already put together one of the most impressive careers in league history. And, like Jackson, he’s reshaped how the position is played with dazzling arm angles, no-look throws and a brilliant ability to scramble. But while Jackson just earned his second career postseason victory in Saturday’s 34-10 rout of the Houston Texans, Mahomes is tied for fourth in NFL history with 13 playoff wins. Only Tom Brady (35-13), Joe Montana (16-7), Terry Bradshaw (14-5), John Elway (14-7) and Peyton Manning (14-13) have more, though Mahomes has a much higher winning percentage (.812) at 13-3. Sunday’s game in Baltimore, however, will be just the second road game of Mahomes’ postseason career. He’s 3-1 in the regular season against the Ravens, with his lone loss coming in the last meeting in 2021, but he has deep respect for Baltimore fans. Earlier this year, he said that M&T Bank Stadium is one of just two venues across the NFL that he needed to use a silent count to communicate with his teammates because the crowd noise was so loud. Their receivers are among the league’s worst By his lofty standards, Mahomes’ regular-season statistics — 4,183 yards, 27 touchdown passes, 14 interceptions, 92.6 passer rating — are way down this season. His receivers are a big reason why. Kansas City dropped a league-leading 44 passes during the regular season, a rate of 6.9%. For comparison, the Ravens had 27 drops with a rate of 5.5%, while the San Francisco 49ers had the league’s most reliable hands with just nine drops. After trading star Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins before the 2021 season, the Chiefs have struggled to find a reliable target outside of tight end Travis Kelce, though it hasn’t stopped Mahomes and coach Andy Reid from continuing their playoff success. But even Kelce has not been as effective this season, finishing the regular season with fewer than 1,000 receiving yards for the first time since 2016. Rookie wideout Rashee Rice, a second-round draft pick, has stepped up with 79 catches for 938 yards, but there is a big drop-off behind those two. Running back Isiah Pacheco (44 catches for 244 yards) and No. 2 tight end Noah Gray (28 for 305) are the top targets behind Kelce and Rice, with Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and midseason pickup Mecole Hardman — who nearly cost the Chiefs the victory Sunday with a fumble at the goal line that gave the ball back to the Bills in the fourth quarter — all struggling to both hold onto the ball and develop a connection with Mahomes. Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, right, defends Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs during Sunday’s playoff game in Orchard Park, New York. (Matt Durisko/AP) Their defense is elite No defense has been better than the Ravens’ this season, but the Chiefs’ comes pretty close. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Will Taylor Swift come to Baltimore to cheer on Chiefs in AFC title game against Ravens? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens roundtable: Answering 5 biggest questions entering AFC championship vs. Chiefs Baltimore Ravens | Baltimore weather: Rain possible for Ravens-Chiefs AFC title game Sunday — and for much of the week leading up to it Baltimore Ravens | Travis Kelce scores twice and Chiefs beat Bills, 27-24, to advance to face Ravens in AFC championship Baltimore Ravens | Ravens to host Chiefs in AFC championship game Sunday at 3 p.m. When Mahomes and the offense struggled early in the season, it was often the defense that bailed them out. Only Baltimore allowed fewer points per game than Kansas City (17.3), which also ranked second behind the Cleveland Browns in total defense, allowing 289.8 yards per game. The Chiefs ranked second behind the Ravens in sacks (57), had the second-highest quarterback pressure rate (27.8%) and missed just 71 tackles, the fourth-lowest mark in the league. While Kansas City has been vulnerable against the run — allowing 182 rushing yards against Buffalo — it has been extremely effective against the pass thanks to a pair of budding stars at cornerback. Trent McDuffie, a 2021 first-round pick, earned first-team All-Pro honors this season, while L’Jarius Sneed was considered All-Pro caliber. Linebackers Nick Bolton and Leo Chenal have also graded well, with Bolton emerging as one of the league’s best middle linebackers. Five-time Pro Bowl selection Chris Jones (10 1/2 sacks) is an elite defensive lineman, while 2022 first-round pick George Karlaftis (10 1/2 sacks) has taken a big leap forward. Fellow defensive end Charles Omenihu recorded seven sacks following a six-game suspension. Injuries could be a concern, however, as safety Mike Edwards (concussion protocol) and linebacker Willie Gay Jr. (neck) exited the win over Buffalo. On top of all of that talent, Steve Spagnuolo remains one of the best defensive coordinators in the league. The 64-year-old — perhaps best known for leading the 2007 New York Giants defense that toppled Tom Brady and the previously undefeated New England Patriots in the Super Bowl — is renowned for his unique game plans and ability to confuse opposing quarterbacks and has a history of stopping elite offenses in the postseason. Their coach was John Harbaugh’s mentor Back in 1999, the Philadelphia Eagles fired coach Ray Rhodes and hired Andy Reid, then the Green Bay Packers’ quarterbacks coach. Reid, a first-time head coach, chose to retain some of the members of Rhodes’ staff. One of them was John Harbaugh. “Andy did not have to give me a chance coming in at the time,” Harbaugh said in 2018. “I’m sure he had a lot of people he knew, but he decided to take a chance on me, and like I said, I’ll be forever grateful for that.” Harbaugh remained on Reid’s staff as special teams coordinator for nine seasons before becoming defensive backs coach in 2007. It helped gain the attention of the Ravens, who hired Harbaugh as coach over Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. The rest, as they say, is history. Now in his 16th season in Baltimore, the 61-year-old Harbaugh has become one of the most respected coaches in league history and is currently the second-longest-tenured. Postseason success has been elusive since he led the Ravens to the Super Bowl title after the 2012 season, with Baltimore failing to advance past the divisional round until this year’s breakthrough. But that’s not the only record Harbaugh will be seeking to improve when the Chiefs come to town: He’s 2-5 against Reid. Taylor Swift, right, and Brittany Mahomes react during the third quarter of Sunday night’s playoff game between the Chiefs and Bills in Orchard Park, New York. (Frank Franklin II/AP) Their star tight end has a very famous girlfriend You might have heard about Taylor Swift and Kelce. If not, allow us to explain. Swift, the world-famous singer, songwriter, musician and producer, started dating the Chiefs tight end earlier this season, bringing a flood of attention to Kelce, his family, the team and the NFL. Swift, a 12-time Grammy Award winner who captivated audiences with her global “Eras Tour,” has been spotted at Chiefs games around the country this year sitting in luxury suites next to Kelce’s mom Donna, Mahomes’ wife Brittany, actress Cara Delevingne and other stars. She attended Sunday night’s playoff game at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, and was shown on CBS’ television broadcast along with a shirtless Jason Kelce, Travis’ older brother who is expected to retire after a standout career as the Eagles’ center. Of course, that means Baltimore is on “Swift Watch” for Sunday’s game. Keep your eyes peeled. AFC championship game Chiefs at Ravens Sunday, 3 p.m. TV: CBS Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM Line: Ravens by 2 1/2 View the full article

The Kansas City Chiefs are headed to Baltimore to take on the Ravens for the AFC title, but the party train won’t truly arrive until Taylor Swift steps off in Charm City. Since late September, Swift has been a fixture at NFL games as she shows her support for partner Travis Kelce, who plays tight end for the Chiefs. Much has been made of Swift’s appearances at football games, particularly the camera’s frequent focus on her as she charms and conquers a different kind of stadium crowd than her usual. Swift’s The Eras Tour was the top-grossing concert in 2023 and the Federal Reserve credited the 34-year-old pop star with boosting the economy. But will she boost the Chiefs’ chances against the Ravens, who are playing for the AFC championship at home for the first time? The Chiefs are 8-3 during the regular season and postseason when Swift has attended games and 5-3 when she hasn’t. So while Swift may be Kelce’s good luck charm in life, it’s not certain that she makes a difference to the play on the field, despite what some critics on social media have said. Taylor Swift wears a Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce jacket as she arrives before an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Singer Taylor Swift cheers prior to the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 1, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. FILE – Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, center left, and singer Taylor Swift leave Arrowhead Stadium after an NFL football game between the Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers, Oct. 22, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. A friendship bracelet with a phone number: that’s how Kelce planned to woo Swift when he went to her Eras Tour concert stop in the Missouri capital. The romance that united sports and music fans, a celestial wonder that drew millions of eyes skyward and a long overdue homecoming for some Native American tribes were just some of the moments that inspired us and brought joy in 2023. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File) Ed Zurga/AP Fans hold signs referring to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift during the first half of an NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday in Kansas City, Mo. Taylor Swift celebrates with fans during the AFC Wild Card Playoffs between the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Jan. 13, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) Taylor Swift arrives at Highmark Stadium to watch an NFL AFC division playoff football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes) A Buffalo Bills fan hold a cardboard cutout of Taylor Swift during the second quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on Jan. 21, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) Taylor Swift, right, and Brittany Mahomes react during the third quarter Sunday in Orchard Park, New York, during the Chiefs' playoff victory against the Bills. (Frank Franklin II/AP) Show Caption of Expand Swifties, as her fans are called, will no doubt be charmed by the singer’s visit to Baltimore, which has not been lucky enough to host one of Swift’s concerts. The last time she performed in Maryland was at FedEx Field in Landover in 2018 during her Reputation Stadium Tour. Meanwhile, Ravens fans are no doubt hoping Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium will indeed be the last stop on Swift’s NFL tour. Related Articles Entertainment | Taylor Swift’s trending NFL jacket designed by Towson grad Kristin Juszczyk Entertainment | Michelle Deal-Zimmerman: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are desperate distraction from a world on fire | STAFF COMMENTARY View the full article

The Ravens will play the Chiefs in the AFC championship Sunday at 3 p.m. at M&T Bank Stadium after Kansas City held on to beat the Bills, 27-24, in the divisional round of the playoffs Sunday night in Buffalo. Baltimore advanced with a 34-10 blowout of the Houston Texans on Saturday. For the Chiefs, it’s their sixth straight appearance in the conference championship game, while its just the fifth all-time and first since the 2012 season for the Ravens. The last time the teams played was Week 2 of the 2021 season, when Baltimore rallied to a 36-35 win as Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson ran for 107 yards and two touchdowns and threw for another score. This time, the Ravens are the top seed in the AFC after going 13-4 in the regular season, while the third-seeded Chiefs will be looking for their second straight road win and third overall in this year’s playoffs after advancing out of the wild-card round. Baltimore Sun reporters Brian Wacker, Childs Walker and Hayes Gardner and columnist Mike Preston answer the five biggest questions facing the Ravens as they prepare to take on Kansas City. How can the Ravens’ defense stop Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes? Wacker: Make Mahomes hold the ball by taking away his first read in coverage and be able apply pressure with simulated blitzes and disguised looks by rushing only four players and spying the quarterback. That’s easier said than done, of course, but that was Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner’s breakdown of why Mahomes has struggled against the Cincinnati Bengals in recent years. The Ravens have been masters of getting to quarterbacks without rushing more than four, and it’ll be imperative to not let tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver Rashee Rice roam free in the middle and downfield. Walker: They need to force Mahomes to move the ball in small bites. Mike Macdonald’s defense is designed for the task, with disguised looks and a disciplined secondary that will force difficult reads. The Ravens generate pressure up the middle and from the edges without blitzing relentlessly, an essential component to reducing Mahomes’ big-play opportunities. Linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen will help muddy the picture in front of him. All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton could be the most important defensive player on the field, whether the Ravens use him to cover Kelce, blow up screens or contain Mahomes’ scrambles. Gardner: If I had an easy answer to this one, I’d have more interview requests than Macdonald. It’s a tall order, and I doubt the Chiefs will have as many false starts at M&T Bank Stadium as the Texans did. Plus, it’ll be a monumental task to keep a Mahomes offense out of the red zone, like the Ravens did to Houston. But if Baltimore’ pass rushers can provide pressure, Macdonald can keep Mahomes off balance with different looks and the secondary can step up on a big stage, the Ravens’ defense — the best in the NFL all year — can keep even Mahomes in check. Preston: The Ravens need to get an early lead and then get pressure with their front four so they can drop six or seven into coverage. It’s hard to pressure Mahomes, even for a team like the Ravens, who love to bring pressure off the perimeter or corner. Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore SunRavens quarterback Lamar Jackson dives into the end zone past Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna for a touchdown during the fourth quarter Sept. 19, 2021. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) How will the Ravens’ offense attack the Chiefs’ defense? Wacker: Against the Texans, Jackson picked apart the secondary with his arm in the second half and broke their will with his legs. The Chiefs have a better pass defense, but dual-threat quarterbacks, as we saw with the Bills’ Josh Allen on Sunday, can have success. Collectively, the Bills ran for 182 yards, and the Ravens this season led the NFL in rushing yards. Expect a mix of runs, the occasional deep throw and wide receiver Zay Flowers and tight ends Isiah Likely and/or Mark Andrews (if he plays) to see a healthy dose of targets. Walker: They’re at their best when they mix it up and stay aggressive on early downs as they did in the second half against the Texans. But this will be a week for the Raven’s top-ranked ground game to shine. They went for 229 yards against a Houston run defense that was one of the league’s best down the stretch, with Jackson more willing to take off than he was for most of the regular season. They’ll face a softer run defense this time around. The Chiefs allowed 4.5 yards per attempt during the regular season, 24th in the league. Gardner: Jackson ran often against the Texans. I anticipate more of that — both designed runs and scrambles — as Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken seeks to capitalize on the singular talent Jackson is. Preston: Run the football. Pound the Chiefs with a steady diet of Gus Edwards and Dalvin Cook. The Ravens might also want to use an extra offensive lineman as a tight end or use the two-tight end formation to wear down Kansas City. What’s the Ravens’ biggest concern going up against the Chiefs? Wacker: Aside from the obvious of Mahomes, Kelce and a surging defense, it’s running back Isiah Pacheco. The 2022 seventh-round draft pick out of Rutgers ate up the Bills’ defense with 97 yards on just 15 carries. Baltimore has also been susceptible to tough runners like Pacheco, who also has plenty of speed. But the game could also be decided by the Chiefs’ defense, which was second in sacks behind Baltimore this season and is third in yards allowed per catch. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Five things to know about the Kansas City Chiefs, the Ravens’ opponent in the AFC championship game Baltimore Ravens | Will Taylor Swift come to Baltimore to cheer on Chiefs in AFC title game against Ravens? Baltimore Ravens | Baltimore weather: Rain possible for Ravens-Chiefs AFC title game Sunday — and for much of the week leading up to it Baltimore Ravens | Travis Kelce scores twice and Chiefs beat Bills, 27-24, to advance to face Ravens in AFC championship Baltimore Ravens | Ravens to host Chiefs in AFC championship game Sunday at 3 p.m. Walker: They’ll be facing a quarterback who can upset even the best-laid plans with improvisation. The Ravens showed remarkable discipline in keeping the Texans’ C.J. Stroud out of the red zone with nary a sack nor takeaway. They stuck to their rules, an approach that will serve them well Sunday. But how many times have we seen Mahomes come up with a scramble to convert on a key third down or squeeze a rocket throw into the smallest sliver of space? He’s the NFL’s signature player because there is no reliable method to shut him down. Gardner: The obvious answer is containing Mahomes, the NFL’s best player of the past five years and a wizard with the ball. But the Ravens’ own special teams is also a consideration; if the Ravens’ defense hadn’t been so stout throughout against the Texans, the 67-yard punt return Baltimore allowed Saturday could’ve been damaging. The Ravens can’t have a similar slip-up Sunday. Preston: It’s Mahomes, he is the best quarterback in the NFL. He doesn’t have the playmakers of previous years, but to get Kansas City into the AFC championship game speaks volumes about his ability. What does Lamar Jackson have to do against the Chiefs to reach his first Super Bowl? Wacker: The same thing he has been doing: Evolving as the game goes on, torturing defenses with his feet, precise passes and smart decisions while also not fumbling or turning the ball over. Jackson has continued to put together one MVP performance after another and he’ll need one more against the NFL’s reigning MVP to reach his first Super Bowl. Walker: Nothing different than he did in the last few games of the regular season or in the divisional round against Houston. Jackson has so many more answers than he did as a young quarterback, making quick reads against the blitz and probing downfield even as he extends plays with his legs. He’s still an exceptional runner, but there’s no longer any question that he’ll make big-time throws against a playoff-caliber defense. He doesn’t get flustered and rush into mistakes when the game isn’t going his way. He just needs to trust his tools and the best set of targets he’s had in six years as a Raven. Gardner: Jackson and Mahomes are both former MVPs — the only ones who played the bulk of this past NFL season — and I expect big performances from both. It’ll be fun to watch. The difference might be in taking care of the football. Jackson has done a good job of that lately and he’ll need to keep that up. As Monken mentioned last week when asked about the importance of ball security and the turnover battle: “It’s the No. 1 indicator of winning and losing.” Preston: Relax, and get involved in the running game early. He should be able to pop some runs off the corner, but the Ravens are nearly unbeatable when he doesn’t turn the ball over. Texans running back Devin Singletary is tackled by Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton, bottom, and linebacker Roquan Smith in the second quarter Saturday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Who will be the biggest X-factor in the game? Wacker: Inside linebacker Roquan Smith is the heart and soul of the Ravens’ defense and might be the unit’s most valuable player, but safety Kyle Hamilton is perhaps its best given his unique versatility that is matched with a high football IQ. The Chiefs’ screen game and short passes can destroy a defense, but Hamilton has the ability to do the same to the rhythm of an offense. Walker: Pacheco will never be the headline performer in an offense featuring Mahomes and Kelce, but the Ravens have struggled against relentless power runners this year, and that’s exactly what he is. Pacheco averaged 4.6 yards per carry during the regular season, and the Bills could not bring him down at crucial junctures Sunday. The Ravens will need an excellent game from nose tackle Michael Pierce, quietly one of their best defenders against Houston, and sound tackling from Smith, Queen and Hamilton. They’ll concede some yards to Pacheco as they drop seven or eight defenders into coverage to confuse Mahomes, but they can’t let him run wild. Gardner: Is the greatest kicker of all time an X-factor? A wide-left miss hurt the Packers on Saturday and a wide-right one doomed the Bills on Sunday, emphasizing the importance of field goals. In a game expected to come down to the wire — the line is, fittingly, 2 1/2 points — Tucker’s boot might be pivotal in the waning seconds. Preston: Let’s see what Chiefs coach Andy Reid will come up with to attack the Ravens’ defense. The Ravens have played well, but not against a quarterback as good as Mahomes. Reid usually has some trick plays he comes up with in big games. View the full article

There’s a 40% chance of rain Sunday when the Ravens play the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game. In fact, rain is in the forecast daily starting Tuesday night. At least temperatures will warm up after last week’s freeze and the snow from last Tuesday and Friday is likely to start melting soon. Related Articles Weather | Tickets for Ravens’ first home AFC championship game go on sale Tuesday at 10 a.m. Weather | Dance moves by Ravens coach John Harbaugh invite Baltimore to ‘do the Harbaugh’ Weather | Five things we learned from the Ravens’ 34-10 playoff over the Houston Texans Weather | No takeaways, no sacks, no problem: Ravens’ steady defense keeps Texans out of red zone in playoff win Weather | Mike Preston: Give Ravens OC Todd Monken a game ball for second-half adjustments vs. Texans | COMMENTARY Monday will be cold with a daytime high temperature around 39 degrees and a low near 31 at night, according to the National Weather Service. Tuesday will have a daytime high around 45 degrees and a 40% chance of rain at night with a low near 37. The rain will continue Wednesday as temperature rise into the 40s with a 60% chance of rain during the daytime and 70% chance at night. Thursday temperatures will rise into the 50s with an 80% chance of rain during the daytime and 70% chance at night. Friday the high will jump to around 65 degrees, according to the NWS, with at least a 40% chance of rain from Friday morning until Saturday night The Ravens will host the Chiefs for the conference championship at M&T Bank Stadium at 3 p.m. Sunday, when the forecast calls for a 40% chance of rain with a high temperature of 49. View the full article