Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is no stranger to high-profile matchups. Mahomes will face his biggest one of the season, heading into his sixth consecutive AFC Championship Game on Sunday, as he takes on the Baltimore Ravens with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.
It won’t be easy, though. For Mahomes and the rest of Kansas City’s offense, they must find a way to overcome an elite Baltimore defense. The Ravens’ defense ranks fifth in quarterback completion percentage (60.6%) and is tied for first in yards per pass attempt (5.9). Factoring in that they also lead the league with 60 sacks on the season, Baltimore’s defensive unit represents a complex challenge that has earned the praise of Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.
“They do a great job,” Reid noted of the Ravens’ defense. “Like I said (Ravens defensive coordinator) Mike [Macdonald], his scheme in which he’s added his touch, too, with the group there. They’ve got multiple fronts, multiple coverages, they execute them well. Other teams that try to do a lot, don’t do it as well as this group does. Not only are the players listening, but they’re being taught the right things, and they’re able to go out and perform at a high level.”
The Ravens are not only led by their strong defense but also by their quarterback — and current favorite to win league MVP — Lamar Jackson. As the unquestioned leader of the Ravens’ offense, Jackson is a big reason why they are the number-one seed in the AFC with an NFL-best 13 regular season wins.
“He’s going to be the MVP for a reason,” Mahomes said about Jackson. “He goes out there, he leads his team, he scores, he runs, he throws, he does whatever it takes to win, and that’s what the greats do. Like I said, it will be a great challenge for our defense, but also a great challenge for our offense going against their defense. It’s going to take a full team effort if we want to find a way to get a win.”
Jackson proved he is still one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league due to his unique skill set as a runner, finishing the year with 821 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. Under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Jackson is showcasing more of his improved passing abilities as well. He set career-highs with 3,678 passing yards and a completion percentage of 67.2%.
Mahomes revealed he always admired Jackson’s game from afar, but he is especially intrigued now by his development as a pocket passer as he looks ahead to Sunday’s matchup.
“I think the biggest thing you like to see in another quarterback is how they improve every single year,” Mahomes noted. “Everybody has talked about his running, but you can see how he’s developed as a passer. Throwing from within the pocket, arm angles, making the accurate throw in big situations and big moments. That’s what the great quarterbacks do. He continues to get better and better every single year. I knew we were going to play in a lot of games like this as our careers go, and I’m sure this will be the first of many.”
Just a few weeks after he led Michigan to its first undisputed college football national title in 75 years, Jim Harbaugh is headed back to the NFL.
Harbaugh has agreed to a deal that brings him back to professional football and to the West Coast as the next head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers the team announced Wednesday. Harbaugh signed a five-year deal a person close to the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the Chargers did not announce the terms.
"My love for Michigan, playing there and coming back to coach there leaves a lasting impact. I’ll always be a loyal Wolverine," Harbaugh said in a statement. "I’m remarkably fortunate to have been afforded the privilege of coaching at places where life’s journey has created strong personal connections for me. When I played for the Chargers, the Spanos family could not have been more gracious or more welcoming.
"Being back here feels like home, and it’s great to see that those things haven’t changed."
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Harbaugh 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.
"Jim Harbaugh is football personified, and I can think of no one better to lead the Chargers forward," Chargers owner Dean Spanos said in a statement. "The son of a coach, brother of a coach and father of a coach who himself was coached by names like Schembechler and Ditka, for the past two decades Jim has led hundreds of men to success everywhere he's been — as their coach. And today, Jim Harbaugh returns to the Chargers, this time as our coach. Who has it better than us?"
Harbaugh is the first coach in 26 seasons to win a national title and not return to the school the following season. Nebraska’s Tom Osborne retired following the 1997 season after the Cornhuskers split the national title with Michigan.
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 called Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel to inform him he was leaving to lead the Chargers, according to a person familiar with the conversation. Manuel later released a statement saying that he was "working quickly to hire" Michigan's next head coach.
"We have been discussing a new contract that would make Jim the highest paid coach in college football," the statement also read. "In the end, he wanted to explore and ultimately decided to pursue a return to coaching in the NFL."
Manuel may promote Sherrone Moore to replace Harbaugh after the offensive coordinator filled in for him during the final three games of the regular season.
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.
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 — the chance to win a Super Bowl.
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.
Harbaugh will inherit a team that most of all needs a culture change. They were 0-7 in games decided by three points or fewer this season, tying the 1984 Houston Oilers for worst mark since the merger.
The offense this past season regressed because of injuries at wide receiver and on the offensive line. Herbert broke the index finger on his right hand and missed the last four games, but even when he was at the helm, Los Angeles was ranked 18th in total offense after six straight years being in the top 11.
The defense was ranked 28th, marking the first time since 1986 it has been ranked 20th or worse three straight years.
Harbaugh and the new general manager will have the fifth overall pick in April’s draft, the fourth time since 2016 the Chargers have had a pick in the top seven. Only the Giants (six), Jets (five) and Jaguars (five) have had more.
Harbaugh prepared for a return to the NFL by hiring Don Yee as his new agent. Yee is known for his representation of another famous Michigan quarterback — seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady — and the Pasadena-based agent also represents Denver coach Sean Payton, who was the most sought-after coaching free agent last year.
Harbaugh did not hide his interest in returning to the NFL, interviewing with the Minnesota Vikings on college signing day two years ago and having discussions with the Broncos and Carolina Panthers last year.
Why Jim Harbaugh is moving to the NFL
The 60-year-old Harbaugh seemed to have more options in the league during this hiring cycle.
Harbaugh returned to Michigan, where he was a star quarterback in the mid-1980s, in 2015 after going 44-19 over four years in San Francisco. He left the 49ers amid tension with the front office. He went to three straight NFC championship games and lost the Super Bowl to Baltimore, and his coach/brother, John, nearly 11 years ago.
The Harbaugh brothers will face each other for the first time since that Super Bowl during the 2024 season when the Chargers host the Ravens. The date and time will be announced in early May when the NFL regular season schedule is released.
He also came close to the Super Bowl as a player, nearly lifting the Indianapolis Colts to a win at Pittsburgh on a game-ending desperation pass in the AFC championship game on Jan. 14, 1996.
Harbaugh became a first-time head coach at the University of San Diego in 2004 and left after three seasons to start a four-year run at Stanford. His success on the sideline in college set him up for an opportunity with the 49ers, where he coached from 2010 through the 2014 season.
And after even more success, he’s back in the league to chase a championship.
Potential problems with the NCAA may have also been a factor. He was suspended for the first three games by the NCAA for a Level I violation because the association concluded he misled investigators.
Harbaugh was also suspended for the final three regular-season games by the Big Ten for violating the conference’s sportsmanship policy over alleged sign-stealing in a case that dominated the second half of last season.
Harbaugh was one of eight candidates who had previous head coaching experience in college or the NFL. The others were former Stanford coach David Shaw, former Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator and Minnesota coach Leslie Frazier, former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel, Dallas defensive coordinator and former Atlanta coach Dan Quinn, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris (who coached Tampa Bay and Atlanta), San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks (who coached Arizona and Carolina) and Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
The Chargers also interviewed two in-house candidates — interim coach Giff Smith and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore — along with Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, who was hired by Tennessee on Jan. 23.
Nine GM candidates have interviewed, including interim GM JoJo Wooden. The others are New York Giants assistant GM Brandon Brown, Baltimore director of player personnel Joe Hortiz, Chicago assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Buffalo director of player personnel Terrance Gray, New Orleans Saints assistant GM Jeff Ireland, Indianapolis Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds, Chicago co-director of player personnel Jeff King and NFL chief football administrative officer Dawn Aponte.
An NCAA rule that makes it more likely Jim Harbaugh could be charged with major NCAA violations is at the heart of the coach's contract negotiations with Michigan, sources tell CBS Sports.
Under the NCAA's coach responsibility provision, which was strengthened just one year ago on Jan. 1, 2023, Harbaugh would be charged with a Level I violation in the sign-stealing scandal if any member of his staff is found to have committed a Level I violation. The charge itself cannot be argued; however, the severity of the penalty can be debated before the NCAA Committee on Infractions.
The Level I finding would remain on Harbaugh's record no matter his level of compliance, monitoring or diligence in the matter.
Harbaugh has interviewed with at least two NFL teams while he considers his future at Michigan. As of Tuesday, Harbaugh has entered into negotiations with the Los Angeles Chargers to fill their head-coaching vacancy, according to CBS Sports HQ senior NFL insider Josina Anderson.
The modified rule is why Harbaugh's representatives are seeking immunity from Michigan that would prevent the coach from being fired for such violations. It has been reported that the sides have been discussing a nine-figure contract extension worth a record $11.5 million per year.
The contract's so-called "strict liability" clause regarding "for-cause" termination is the primary issue at hand. It's boilerplate language in most contracts that coaches can be fired for cause if they commit NCAA violations. However, the adjustment of the coaching responsibility bylaw has concerned Harbaugh's team.
If Connor Stalions -- the former Michigan staffer at the center of the sign-stealing investigation -- or any other current or former staff member implicated in the case is charged with a major violation, Harbaugh would automatically be charged with a Level I violation.
Stalions, who resigned on Nov. 3, is accused of running a scouting scheme in which he videotaped signs of future Big Ten and potential College Football Playoff opponents in violation of NCAA rules. It is not known whether Stalions is cooperating with NCAA investigators.
The previous interpretation of the bylaw presumed coaching responsibility, and the finding could be mitigated or dropped if a coach proved adherence to NCAA rules. The updated interpretation from last January makes violation of that provision absolute.
Harbaugh's legal team is concerned the language could lead to his firing if the misconduct of a staff member automatically translates to a Level I charge against the coach.
Yahoo Sports reported last week that Harbaugh is seeking immunity from being fired by the Wolverines if found guilty of NCAA violations. Yahoo also reported Harbaugh's representatives were lobbying that the new contract contain language mandating any question over NCAA violations go to a three-person arbitration panel.
The coach responsibility change was instituted by the Division I Board of Directors Infractions Process Committee as a way of streamlining NCAA cases.
Coaches seeking protection from NCAA findings is not unprecedented. Kansas basketball coach Bill Self has language written into his contract that shields him from being fired for major NCAA violations. Thomas Mars, one of Harbaugh's attorneys, posted to social media that every coach in the country will soon be seeking similar protections because of the new provision.
"Even to the extent [schools] build into the contract that you're not going to be liable for this, Self got an extension," said Jason Montgomery, a sports law attorney based in Kansas City, Missouri. "This is the next iteration of that."
Harbaugh and Michigan are also under NCAA investigation for alleged recruiting violations during the COVID-19 dead period. That investigation was initiated before Jan. 1, 2023, however, having begun as far back as 2021. Harbaugh is being charged with a Level I violation for allegedly misleading investigators in that case.
The NCAA has indicated its opinion of Harbaugh's culpability in the recruiting case. Last year, NCAA vice president Derrick Crawford referred to the severity of the violations saying it "is not a cheeseburger." In the past, the NCAA has been criticized for making cases out of relatively minor violations such as buying a meal for a recruit.
Complicating matters is that the sign-stealing case is considered one of the first -- perhaps the first -- case to involve the strengthened coach responsibility rule change. The NCAA does not speak to ongoing cases and prohibits those involved from doing so.
The infractions committee did away with Michigan's negotiated resolution in August that would have resulted in a four-game suspension of Harbaugh in response to the recruiting investigation. The committee said the case must go through a full investigatory process. As a result, Michigan self-imposed a three-game suspension on Harbaugh to begin the 2023 season, which was meant to mitigate penalties.
In the sign-stealing case, the Big Ten imposed a three-game suspension on Harbaugh through the conclusion of the regular season. Michigan backed down on attempting to get a temporary restraining order allowing Harbaugh back on the field. The Big Ten agreed to end its investigation of Michigan as the school dropped its legal action against the conference.
With two investigations open simultaneously -- both of which carry possible major violations -- Michigan can be categorized as a "repeat violator" in the NCAA's eyes. That could lead to enhanced penalties.
"The off-the-field issues, we're innocent and we stood strong and tall because we knew we were innocent," Harbaugh said following the College Football Playoff National Championship win over Washington earlier this month.
Critics have asked why Harbaugh needs contract protections if he's proclaiming innocence. Besides the NCAA rule changes making it more likely Harbaugh could be fired no matter the level of his innocence, the Michigan coach has never had more leverage coming off a 15-0, national title-winning season.
In two recent cases involving Florida State and Air Force, the coaches at each school were able to disprove NCAA findings of coach responsibility violations.
Earlier this month, the NCAA declared that Florida State's Mike Norvell "set clear expectations regarding compliance with the football program" as an assistant coach was found to have committed a recruiting violation. In September, a similar conclusion was reached regarding Air Force coach Troy Calhoun. Both cases began before Jan. 1, 2023.
According to NFL.com, potential NCAA penalties could follow Harbaugh to the NFL. However, any such penalty would likely be irrelevant to an NFL employer.
There is precedent. Ohio State's Jim Tressel resigned under pressure in 2011 amid the "TattooGate" scandal. Tressel was then suspended for the first six games of the 2011 season after being hired as a replay consultant by the Indianapolis Colts.
Anything short of a postseason ban here should be seen as a win by Michigan. As a matter of policy, the NCAA is averse to handing out postseason bans so not to punish innocent players who had nothing to do with the violations.
Last year, Tennessee was found guilty of 18 Level I violations under former coach Jeremy Pruitt. The school escaped a postseason ban, instead getting slapped with recruiting restrictions and paying an $8 million fine.
Michigan has received a notice of allegations in the first case involving alleged recruiting violations. At best, it is thought that case could be concluded by the middle of the year. The school has not yet received a notice of allegations regarding the sign-stealing probe.
Harbaugh could be on the hook for substantial legal fees if he chooses to remain at Michigan and fight both cases, sports law sources tell CBS Sports.
Much like the groundhog making his appearance in Punxsutawney or the salmon returning to Capistrano, one of the surest signs that we’ve officially hit the offseason is the proliferation of NFL Mock Drafts. One of the first ones that we’re always keen on seeing comes from Mel Kiper. . .dramatic pause. . .Draft Expert of ESPN. Today, he’s put out his first mock of the year, and I’m guessing that the pick is going to be met with great consternation from a significant portion of the fan base.
Kiper’s mock lies behind the great E$PN paywall, but we can give you enough information to tell you that he has the Minnesota Vikings eschewing the quarterback position to take a defensive player, that being Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins.
Here’s what Kiper has to say about the selection:
In my final mock ahead of the 2023 draft, I projected the Vikings taking a cornerback. Instead, they went with wide receiver Jordan Addison, who had a fantastic rookie season, catching 10 touchdown passes. That need in the secondary still exists. Minnesota ranked 28th in passing yards allowed to receivers last season (3,019), and 2022 second-rounder Andrew Booth Jr. hasn’t quite figured things out. Let’s go back to Clemson — Booth’s former school — with the selection of Wiggins here. Wiggins was a lockdown defender in 2023, allowing just 4.2 yards per attempt as the nearest defender in coverage.
Could the Vikings take a quarterback? For sure. Kirk Cousins is a free agent, and I don’t think rookie fifth-rounder Jaren Hall will be the guy long-term. At this point, though, the most likely option might be running it back with Cousins, so adding a starter on defense makes more sense. This obviously could change as we learn more about general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s plans.
I can understand the desire to upgrade the secondary in Minnesota. We saw what happened last year when Byron Murphy went down, and the rest of the depth chart at the position has been a bit underwhelming, as Kiper points out.
For the quarterback folks, Kiper has quarterbacks going with all of the top three picks, with the Bears, Commanders, and Patriots taking Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye, respectively. He has just one other quarterback going in the first round, with the Seattle Seahawks taking Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy at #16. I don’t think I’d hate McCarthy at #11 or anything, but I would prefer it if he had someone to sit and learn under for a season or so before throwing him into the fire. I don’t know if the Vikings are going to go that route or not.
Also, Kiper’s mock isn’t projecting any trades. I don’t think his mocks generally include them, though maybe later in the draft season he could throw them in.
What do you think of the first Mel Kiper mock and his pick for the Vikings, folks?
Unsurprisingly, the two teams that hold the No. 1 seed in their respective conferences, the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens, lead the way. It will be up to the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively, to pull of a road upset with a Super Bowl appearance on the line.
Here's where all four remaining teams rank based on their Super Bowl 58 odds as of Monday morning, courtesy of BetMGM.
Can it be a Cinderella run for a team that won 12 regular season games? Detroit is the biggest feel-good team of these playoffs after a 31-23 divisional round win over Tampa Bay. Lions quarterback Jared Goff out-dueled Buccaneers signal-caller Baker Mayfield in an exciting clash between the two former No. 1 picks.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (+350)
Previously: 4 (+700)
For the third time in four years, the Chiefs ended the Bills' Super Bowl hopes in the playoffs. For the sixth time in six years, Kansas City is back in the AFC Championship game. Since taking over as the Chiefs' starter in 2018, quarterback Patrick Mahomes has still never ended a season without a divisional round win.
2. Baltimore Ravens (+200)
Previously: 2 (+275)
Baltimore overcame a bit of a rocky start to beat rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans, 34-10. Ravens quarterback and likely NFL MVP Lamar Jackson finished with 152 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, 100 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
1. San Francisco 49ers (+145)
Previously: 1 (+175)
It took a fourth-quarter comeback against the NFC's bottom seed, but the 49ers are on the doorstep of the Super Bowl for a second season in a row. Running back Christian McCaffrey gashed the Packers' defense for 98 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries (5.8 yards per carry). It's worth noting San Francisco may be without standout receiver Deebo Samuel, who left the divisional round game early with a shoulder injury.
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The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills added another playoff classic to their rivalry Sunday. But again, the Chiefs came out on top with a 27-24 win over the Bills at Highmark Stadium.
The Chiefs will travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens in the AFC Championship next Sunday at M&T Stadium. Kansas City will play in its sixth consecutive AFC Championship Game.
The Bills, meanwhile, are sent home by the Chiefs for the third time in four years. Kansas City beat Buffalo in the conference championship in the 2020 playoffs, the divisional round in the 2021 playoffs and again in the divisional round Sunday.
“It sucks,” Josh Allen said postgame. “Losing sucks. Losing to them, losing to anybody, at home, sucks.”
Bills kicker Tyler Bass missed a 44-yard field goal wide right with 1:43 remaining in the game that would’ve tied it.
The Chiefs’ Isiah Pacheco picked up the game-winning score as he broke through for a 5-yard touchdown run less than a minute into the fourth quarter to go up 27-24.
But a series of wild turns in the fourth quarter hindered both teams after the Pacheco touchdown. It started with Buffalo failing to pick up a first down on a fake punt attempt in its own territory. Kansas City only deployed 10 players for the punt return and still stopped the Bills’ Damar Hamlin short of the first down on the fake punt attempt. The Chiefs took the ball over on downs at the Bills’ 32-yard line.
“The defense, they turned it on in that fourth quarter. That is a great offense, that’s a great football player in Josh Allen and a great team and they were going up and down the field and the defense said enough is enough and they got the stops,” Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes said.
Two plays later, the Chiefs’ Mecole Hardman caught a pass from Mahomes and fumbled the ball as he was tackled near the goal line. Originally officials ruled Hardman down. Buffalo challenged the call successfully, as officials ruled the ball went out of the end zone for a touchback giving possession to the Bills.
The Bills seemed to put themselves in a position to at least tie the game, but the Bass miss ended the Bills’ season.
Allen’s two first-half rushing touchdowns propelled the Bills to a 17-13 halftime lead. The first came on a 5-yard run early in the second quarter. The second helped Buffalo regain the lead at 17-13 on a 2-yard TD scamper near the close of the first half.
The Chiefs took a 13-10 lead when Mahomes connected with a wide-open Travis Kelce on a 22-yard touchdown reception with 3:33 left in the second quarter. Kelce blew a kiss and formed his hands into a heart in the direction of the suite where pop star Taylor Swift, Kelce’s girlfriend, watched the game in the stadium. Shortly after, Eagles center Jason Kelce, Travis’ brother, came to the front of the open-air suite shirtless to bellow his satisfaction for his brother’s touchdown.
Kansas City’s defense stepped up
With the Chiefs’ season on the line, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo relied on his best personnel, his dime package. With three safeties on the field — Justin Reid, Deon Bush and rookie Chamarri Conner — the Chiefs’ defense was able to prevent the Bills from entering the end zone on their final drive of the game. Chris Jones, the Chiefs’ best pass rusher, was exceptional, too. He created enough pressure to impact Allen’s final two pass attempts, both of which fell incomplete.
Even more impressive, the Chiefs didn’t give up the big pass to Allen despite safety Mike Edwards sustaining a concussion on just the second play of the game when he broke up a pass in the middle of the field. The Chiefs’ stop just outside the red zone in the closing minutes forced the Bills to take a potential game-tying field goal. When Bills kicker Bass missed his 44-yard attempt wide right, several of the Chiefs’ defenders celebrated by leaping into the air and in each other’s arms.
Similar to their season, the Chiefs’ offensive players should thank their defensive teammates. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Chiefs’ offense has two chances to score with a 27-24 lead. Their golden opportunity arrived when the Bills failed on a fake punt play deep in their territory. But two plays later, on a pop-pass jet sweep, Hardman fumbled the ball near the pylon, the ball rolling into the end zone and out of bounds for a turnover. — Nate Taylor, Chiefs beat writer
For the third time in four postseasons, the Bills have had their Super Bowl dreams dashed by the Chiefs. Even with different terms this time around, having the chance to play the Chiefs at home in the playoffs for the first time since Sean McDermott became head coach, the Bills still couldn’t get over the hump. They were met with a near-perfect game by Mahomes, who delivered a statement win in his first-ever road playoff game. Now the Bills are left with yet another premature playoff exit and nothing but offseason questions with an aging roster and a big cap sheet that likely needs plenty of trimming.
The Bills had no answers in the middle of the field for the Chiefs, as Mahomes, Kelce and Pacheco were gaining chunk plays at will. The Chiefs clearly had a plan to attack linebackers A.J. Klein and Tyrel Dodson through the air, and it worked consistently. Kelce was open seemingly all game, and once that was established, Pacheco came through with clutch runs throughout the second half. Outside of a late forced punt, and a Hardman fumble, it was a perfect game from Mahomes, who continues to be a thorn in the Bills’ side when it isn’t the regular season. — Joe Buscaglia, Bills beat writer
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Patrick Mahomes’ second touchdown pass to Travis Kelce sent the suite at Highmark Stadium into a frenzy on Sunday night as the Kansas City Chiefs took a 20-17 lead over the Buffalo Bills and eventually won the game 27-24.
Kelce caught a 3-yard pass from Mahomes to break the record for most touchdowns in a postseason for a quarterback-receiver duo, breaking the mark set by Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. It was Kelce’s first multi-touchdown game since last year, when he did it against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the playoffs.
Taylor Swift, right, and Brittany Mahomes react after Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce scored a touchdown in the 2024 AFC divisional round game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on Jan. 21, 2024.(Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
The CBS cameras panned to the suite to see Brittany Mahomes squeeze a delighted Taylor Swift as the touchdown was scored. Jason Kelce, Travis’ brother, was also seen in the background of the shot shirtless and drinking a beer – as he had been doing all night long.
"It speaks to Travis and his work, to be able to go out there and make plays in big games," Patrick Mahomes said after the game. "Passing anything that has Brady and Gronk in it is special. Because those are two of the greatest players."
From left to right, Brittany Mahomes, Jason Kelce and Taylor Swift react during the second half of 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.(Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
It was all smiles for Chiefs fans as they saw their team eke out a divisional-round victory against the Bills. Buffalo took the lead later in the third quarter on a 13-yard pass from Josh Allen to Khalil Shakir. However, Isiah Pacheco’s 4-yard touchdown run put Kansas City back on top with 14:20 to go.
Bills kicker Tyler Bass had an opportunity to tie the game with a field goal, but he missed wide right.
"Just lost in the playoffs to a team that’s kicked us out," Buffalo defensive back Jordan Poyer said. "It’s tough. You work so hard throughout the season to fight and claw back, our backs against the wall, everybody doubting us midway through the season and we get here and just that close."
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray, #83, hugs tight end Travis Kelce, #87, after playing against the Buffalo Bills in an NFL AFC division playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, in Orchard Park, New York.(AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Kansas City plays the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game.
And then there were four. The NFL playoffs have whittled down to the final four after a wild divisional round, and now we have Championship Sunday to look forward to which features a handful of the league's elite clubs.
Both No. 1 seeds emerged out of their lone playoff game victorious following the first-round bye and Baltimore along with San Francisco will play host to the AFC and NFC Championship, respectively. Meanwhile, the Lions were able to fend off the Buccaneers on Sunday, while Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs went into Buffalo and pulled off the upset against the Bills to advance to their sixth straight AFC Championship appearance.
As we start to get a firm grasp of what the penultimate weekend in the NFL will bring, we're going to see which way the oddsmakers are initially leaning with the opening lines for the conference championships.
The Ravens are an early 3.5-point favorite as they gear up to host the Chiefs in the first game of Championship Sunday. Baltimore is 12-6 ATS on the year (including playoffs) and that 66.7% cover rate is the second-best in the NFL. At home, the Ravens are 6-4 ATS. As for the Chiefs, Mahomes just notched a win (and cover) in his first-ever playoff game on the road against Buffalo. Throughout the year, Kansas City has been a solid bet away from Arrowhead Stadium, owning a 5-3-1 ATS record. That 62.5% cover rate is tied for the sixth-best percentage in the league this year (including playoffs). Given how well both of these defenses have played this season, the Under may be a popular play by the public. However, it's worth noting that while the Under may be 13-6 for the Chiefs throughout the year (including playoffs), it's just 4-5 when they are on the road. At M&T Bank Stadium this year, the Over is 5-4-1 for the Ravens.
Lions at 49ers
The 49ers are currently a full touchdown favorite over the Lions at the time this piece is being written. San Francisco did narrowly escape the divisional round against the Packers and will get another NFC North club rolling into Santa Clara on Sunday. One of the big questions for this game will be the health of Deebo Samuel as the 49ers star receiver exited their playoff game against Green Bay early due to injury. As his status comes more into focus, this line could change. This season, no team has been a better bet against the number than the Lions. They enter the NFC Championship 13-6 ATS, meaning they've covered a league-best 68.4% of their games. The new wrinkle for Dan Campbell's team this week is that they'll be away from Ford Field for the first time this postseason. During the regular season, Detroit was 7-2 ATS on the road. Meanwhile, the Niners are just 3-6 ATS at Levi's Stadium this year (including playoffs). As for the total, which stands north of 50, the Over is 12-7 in Lions games this year, but just 5-4 when they are on the road. San Francisco has an identical 5-4 record with the Over in its home games.
TORONTO – New middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis didn’t mince words when he heard his boss thought he lost the UFC 297 main event.
Du Plessis (21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) took a split decision from Sean Strickland (28-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC) in the headliner in Toronto to win the belt. It was Strickland’s first attempted title defense after he upset Israel Adesanya to win the belt in 2023. Du Plessis became the first South African champ in UFC history.
But UFC CEO Dana White said he had the fight even going into the fifth round, then scored that last frame for Strickland. The three cageside judges had two 48-47 cards for Du Plessis; a dissenting judge had it 48-47 for Strickland.
The three judges, however, were unanimous in four of the five rounds: All three gave Rounds 1 and 5 to Strickland, and all three gave Rounds 2 and 4 to Du Plessis. That left the middle round as the decisive one, and Du Plessis took that from two of the three judges.
When asked at his post-fight news conference at Scotiabank Arena about the closeness of the fight, and that some had it the other way, Du Plessis appeared more than a little perturbed White thought he lost.
“Just for the record, are there some people who think I lost the fight?” Du Plessis asked the room of media members. “Dana said it? Well, bullsh*t.”
White did, however, say the fight was close and that as many people sitting near him in Toronto seemed to have it for Du Plessis as those who scored the bout for Strickland.
White also said Du Plessis’ new status as champion could fast-track the UFC’s ambition to put on a fight on the continent of Africa for the first time. With Du Plessis in the mix, in all likelihood that would be in the South African capital city of Johannesburg.
That’s one good piece of news for Du Plessis – though he also said he’s interested in fighting at UFC 300 in April on a quick turnaround. His intention, he said, is to hold the middleweight title for a long enough time that he’ll eventually fight in his home country again.
The enjoyment of his win over Strickland might have to be short if he wants to be back in less than three months. But Du Plessis acknowledged he won a close fight and will relish the victory for a bit.
“It was a close fight, make no mistake – but I thought I had it” Du Plessis said. “When that split decision came, I thought, ‘This is, 100 percent, 50-50 (if I win or lose).’ When they said ‘And new …,’ it felt like 15 years of work and sacrifice together in one single sentence. It feels surreal. It’s amazing.
“I thought I did enough to win the fight. It definitley was a close fight. He won the first round and I made the necessary adjustments. … At the end of the day, I went toe-to-toe with the self-proclaimed best boxer in the UFC.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 297.
Led by rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, the Texans pummeled the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round, with Stroud becoming the youngest QB to ever win an NFL playoff game. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, expected to win his second career MVP award, is 1-3 in four career playoff games, throwing three touchdowns with five interceptions.
The winner of the Ravens-Texans game advances to face either the Buffalo Bills or Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship next weekend.
USA TODAY Sports will provide the latest updates, news, highlights and analysis throughout this NFL playoff matchup. Follow along.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Ravens 28, Texans 20
Lorenzo Reyes: Ravens 28, Texans 21
Peyton Manning, Carmelo Anthony in the building
“The Bank really is the place to be,” the Ravens tweeted Saturday morning, referring to the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. And the Ravens aren’t lying.
Stars flocked to the sidelines ahead of the Ravens’ divisional round matchup against the Texans on Saturday afternoon. Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning caught up with Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith, while tight end Mark Andrews dapped up former NBA star Carmelo Anthony.
Other celebrity attendees include former NBA player Rudy Gay, a Baltimore native, and comedian Stavros Halkias.
Ravens, Texans inactives listed
The inactives have been listed for both teams.
Jim Harbaugh in Baltimore to support brother
Jim Harbaugh already captured a championship in 2024, and he’s hoping his brother can do the same.
The Michigan head football coach is at M&T Bank Stadium to support John Harbaugh and Baltimore in its divisional matchup on Saturday. The two were seen greeting each other as the Ravens arrived at the stadium.
This is the organization’s 15th playoff appearance since becoming the Baltimore Ravens in 1996. The team is 16-12 in the postseason, winning Super Bowls 35 and 47. Baltimore is 4-7 in 11 divisional round games and 2-2 in the AFC championship game.
Texans NFL playoff history
This is the Texans' seventh postseason appearance since the franchise was founded in 2002. They are 5-6 in 11 total playoff games and 0-4 in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs. Houston has never reached the AFC championship game.
Ravens vs. Texans history
The Baltimore Ravens are 11-2 all-time against the Houston Texans, including a 20-13 win in the 2012 AFC divisional playoffs. The two teams met in Week 1 of the 2023 regular season, a 25-9 Ravens win at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
Ravens vs. Texans weather
The Baltimore weather forecast calls for temperatures in the low-mid 20s with winds around 20 mph around kickoff at 4:30 p.m. ET. The region was hit with snow throughout the week.
Who is favored in Ravens vs. Texans?
The top NFL betting apps favor the Ravens over the Texans in their divisional playoff game.
Ravens vs. Texans spread
The Ravens are 9.5-point favorites over the Texans according to the BetMGM NFL odds.
The Ravens are a –480 favorite on the moneyline. Meanwhile, the Texans are a +360 underdog, according to BetMGM.
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