It took everything in me to compose this blog. Not sure I've ever been as emotionally drained as I was after witnessing that atrocity of a performance by the Baltimore Ravens' offense* in person. Mind boggling, heart breaking, confusing, frustrating. A million ways to describe this feeling, but none can quite do justice in recreating it.
Simply put, pain.
Let's get this over with.
Chiefs 17- Ravens 10
-One of the worst performances of Lamar Jackson's career. Missing open guys, throws into triple coverage, general indecisiveness, holding the ball too long...the list goes on and on. It was a catastrophe, in his biggest professional moment
-His 13 yard reception was pretty sick though. A shoe string tackle stopped what could've been one of the crazier touchdowns we'd ever see
-Just six carries by running backs. Six. In a game that was close throughout. Absolutely maddening game script by Todd Monken, asinine
-Zay Flowers was electric, posting a 5/115/1 line on the day, but his fumble into the end zone is what fans will remember most vividly. The taunting penalty wasn't great either. Such a crushing moment, in a game full of so many others
-After the first two drives, the Ravens' defense played as good as you could ask for. They shut out an opponent in the second half for the second consecutive week, allowing just 17 points in total, but couldn't get the help they needed to pick up the win
-Patrick Mahomes is legitimately on GOAT watch after this one. Long way to go, but 14-3 in the playoffs with 6 straight AFC Championship games (and counting), plus 4 Super Bowl appearances-- winning 2 and going for a 3rd-- the resume is building itself quickly
-Seriously though, the first two drives of the games were masterclass by #15, combining for 26 plays, 161 yards and 2 trips to the end zone, while controlling the ball for 14:47 time of possession. Seems like he spooked Monken, possibly Lamar as well
-Isiah Pacheco ran hard but had little room to work with in the second half
-Travis Kelce looks completely revamped now that the postseason is here, posting an 11/116/1 line while regularly matched up with superstar safety Kyle Hamilton. Deer antlers?
-The game plan from Steve Spagnuolo to completely shut down this potent Baltimore offense was first class. All the credit in the world to one of the best D coordinators to do the thing
49ers 34- Lions 31
-That was a very Detroit way to lose. I don't currently have any sympathy to share, but I'd imagine Lions' fans are going through it right now
-From a 24-7 halftime lead to tied entering the fourth quarter, what a rapid whirlwind of a comeback by the Niners. A Josh Reynolds drop on 4th down and Jahmyr Gibbs fumble on the subsequent possession helped speed up the process
-Still kind of on the fence about Campbell choosing to go for it in on the aforementioned 4th down. They needed two yards and were on the San Francisco 28, well within field goal range, and were leading by 14. That's his coaching style and it got this team to the NFC Championship, so I'm not opposed to it in this specific instance. But you've got to kick that ball there and go up 3 scores...
-Now, going for it on 4th and 3 from the 30 while down 3 with about 7 minutes remaining-- that one I definitely can't get behind. Total absence of confidence in the kicking game
-Sam LaPorta and Amon Ra St. Brown are an elite tandem, combining for 16 receptions and 184 yards. Not sure there was even the boldest of gamblers out there who saw Jameson Williams going for 2 touchdowns
-Plenty of people expected that from Christian McCaffery though, and he delivered-- rushing for 90 yards and those 2 scores on 20 totes, while adding 42 on 4 catches
-Many knew going into the game how important Deebo Samuel's availability was to this Niners team, but those who didn't were quickly reminded. 89 yards on 8 receptions, just bullying opposing corners
-Brandon Aiyuk's catch off a defender's facemask was an absolutely insane play. One more moment of sadness in Detroit sports lore: the football literally hitting Kindle Vildor in the face and popping up in the air to Aiyuk. Shoutout to the ladybug who foretold of his success
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@Choppinglines
*I own no rights to any images found in this blog
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