The Ravens started to crumble when things got hairy in the AFC Championship, and it was clear at that point the massive difference in experience between Baltimore and the Chiefs.
Kansas City secured a trip to its fourth Super Bowl in the last five years with a 17-10 win over the Ravens in the conference title game. Despite putting up just 10 points, Baltimore had its chances, but regularly squandered those chances in backbreaking fashion.
There was the Lamar Jackson interception in the end zone on a pass he tried to force to Isaiah Likely. Zay Flowers fumbled the ball on the goal line for a touchback moments after marring a 54-yard reception with a taunting penalty. Baltimore also had some brutal penalties.
The Ravens were one of the most exciting teams in the NFL this season, and a deserved top seed in the AFC. But a bulk of their roster had limited playoff experience, let alone playoff wins, and they were facing a Chiefs team that has been a staple of the AFC Championship.
That, Chiefs play-by-play voice Mitch Holtus said Monday on The Drive, was the difference.
“(The Ravens) got down 14-7 and it was like they felt like they were down 27-7.," Holthus said. "You could be down seven points and just stay within yourself, but they started chucking the ball deep and the Chiefs got some excellent plays and some stops. Then when it was up two scores, it really got that way. Look at the way they started the second half, they’re throwing these long go routes up on the boundary and Lamar Jackson is off.
“But the fact that 28 of those 53 guys for the Ravens got their first playoff win the week before against Houston, including Roquan Smith, and the Chiefs had 300-plus playoff wins, that’s where it shows up. You keep your poise when things go crazy. Roquan Smith couldn’t. He blows up Trey Smith because he’s mad.
“You get Zay Flowers, who has to taunt L’Jarius Sneed, spin the ball in his face after the 54-yard catch, only, what, the next play or two get stripped of the ball at the goal line. He’s distraught -- well dude, you just got in his face. It’s the playoffs. And this guy has won Super Bowls, and he’s going to take the ball away from you if he gets the chance. That was the difference in the game.”
While no team can rival these Chiefs in terms of playoff experience, they’ll face a 49ers team in the Super Bowl that has played on plenty big stages.