In the beginning of the season, it might have been exhausting to ascertain any group however the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs as the highest seed within the AFC Playoff bracket. They had been apparent AFC and Tremendous Bowl favorites heading into the season. Nonetheless, the Chiefs’ Tremendous Bowl possibilities have dwindled over the course of the season to the purpose that they’re not the most effective group within the AFC.
Who’s the New Chief of the AFC Playoff Bracket?
But when the Chiefs aren’t going to take a seat atop the AFC Playoff bracket and be the group to beat, who’s? How concerning the Baltimore Ravens? The Ravens Tremendous Bowl possibilities have grown significantly because the begin of the season after they weren’t even the favorites in their very own division. However how did the fortunes of every group change and why are the Ravens now the most effective group within the AFC?
Kansas Metropolis’s Collapse
After all, it might be unfair to name what the Chiefs have carried out this season a collapse. Nonetheless, at 8-4, they aren’t steamrolling the league the way in which many anticipated. Additionally they haven’t received back-to-back video games since Week 7.
Probably the most puzzling half is the Chiefs have probably the greatest defenses within the league, conceding simply 17.3 factors per sport. Usually, the weak aspect of the ball for Kansas Metropolis, the Chiefs are enjoying nicely defensively however not dominating the remainder of the league.
What’s the Matter with Mahomes?
Whereas he’s used to wanting superhuman, Patrick Mahomes has been downright abnormal this yr. He has the bottom quarterback score, yards per sport common, and yards per try common of his profession. Mahomes can be on monitor to set a brand new profession excessive in interceptions and speeding yards. These developments point out that he’s forcing issues and being requested to improvise and choose up extra yards together with his legs.
Outdoors of Travis Kelce, the Chiefs haven’t been capable of present Mahomes with a lot assist at receiver. Regardless of the emergence of rookie Rashee Rice, Kansas Metropolis’s vast receivers haven’t been ok. After overcoming comparable shortcomings final season, Mahomes hasn’t been ready to take action this yr, even with the Kansas Metropolis protection stepping up and pulling its weight for as soon as.
Jackson At His Greatest
In the meantime, Mahomes’ worst season is conceding with the most effective season of Lamar Jackson’s profession in Baltimore. As a former MVP himself, Jackson has set a excessive bar.
Nonetheless, he’s on tempo to set a brand new profession excessive for passing yards whereas additionally setting a career-high for completion proportion. Meaning Jackson is being extra productive and extra environment friendly as a passer whereas additionally throwing fewer interceptions than virtually each different beginning quarterback within the league. As ordinary, Jackson helps to guide the most effective speeding assault within the NFL. However he’s concurrently taken an enormous step ahead as a passer.
Identical Baltimore Protection
Whereas Jackson is having the most effective season of his profession, the Ravens have additionally gotten again to the highest of the league defensively. For years, Baltimore has been a pressure defensively, and people days are again.
The Ravens have allowed the fewest factors and the second-fewest yards within the NFL whereas accumulating essentially the most sacks. In 12 video games, they’ve held 5 opponents to 10 factors or much less, together with a number of groups within the playoff hunt. This leaves no query that the Baltimore protection is for actual.
Setting the Commonplace
After all, the AFC playoff race is way from settled with the Jaguars and Dolphins becoming a member of the Chiefs and Ravens within the hunt for the highest seed. However heading down the stretch, the Chiefs have been changed by the Ravens as the highest group within the convention. Whereas the Chiefs are struggling to search out themselves, the Ravens have received six of their final seven video games and have the most effective level differential within the convention.
Extra importantly, Mahomes is just not at his finest proper now, which suggests the Chiefs aren’t both. With a former MVP like Jackson having his finest season and being supported by the NFL’s finest protection, there ought to be no query the Ravens have surpassed Kansas Metropolis as the most effective group within the AFC.
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