Ravens’ mistakes: Baltimore’s self-inflicted penalties, turnovers costly in AFC championship loss to Chiefs
The Ravens went through a stretch where it felt like no one could beat them. As it turns out, there was still one team that could: the Ravens.
Kansas City was not its usual dominant postseason self. The Chiefs mustered just 17 points, the second-fewest points they’ve scored in the Patrick Mahomes era, trailing only the nine points in a Super Bowl loss to the Tom Brady-led Buccaneers. They did not score at all in the second half against Baltimore on Sunday.
That sounds like a formula for success for the Ravens. However, Baltimore had a game littered with self-inflicted penalties and miscues, several of which were costly. In the end, they were crucial in the 17-10 defeat for a Ravens’ squad that ended a 13-4 campaign in disappointment while the Chiefs are going to a fourth Super Bowl in the Mahomes era.
The Ravens were fortunate to escape some of their mistakes with no damage — Jackson fumbled early and Jadeveon Clowney collected a roughing the passer penalty after lowering his helmet into Mahomes — but there were plenty that will loom large when Baltimore reflects on a season that came up short of a title.