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Ricky’s Round-Up: NFL Championship Games mayhem!

Welcome back to Ricky’s Round-Up, wrapping up the spectacular NFL Championship Games and all the mayhem around it. The teams for the Super Bowl are set, now let’s get into the action!

#1- You’ve gotta fight, for your right, to partaayyyy! Chiefs off to yet another Super Bowl

What the Chiefs did so well was punch the Ravens hard in the face from the outset. As the famous Mike Tyson saying goes, ‘everyone has a plan ‘till they get punched in the mouth.’

It was the perfect plan from a team led by seasoned champions. Hit them hard and see how they react. The first drive by the Kansas City Chiefs did just that, with the man for big occasions Travis Kelce scoring a ridiculously difficult touchdown in tight man coverage.

That’s not to say the Ravens didn’t respond well, with Lamar Jackson and Zay Flowers combining beautifully off a near sack to level the score. How did the Chiefs answer that? Another time-consuming, gritty drive that resulted in a hard-nosed rushing touchdown from Isaiah Pacheco. Brutal.

Kelce ended up with 11 receptions for 116 yards and that touchdown. Mahomes did what the best do, stay calm under pressure and deliver when needed. Not to forget the defence who stifled a talented Ravens offence to 10 points, with huge plays such as this ridiculous goal line forced fumble from L’Jarius Sneed:

https://twitter.com/NFLonCBS/status/1751734188984721886

Mahomes won his first Super Bowl vs the San Francisco 49ers back in 2020. Can he do it again to secure his third Lombardi, and become back-to-back champions?

#2- Back to the Super Bowl with a bang for the 49er gang

I mentioned this could be a cinematic masterpiece. If the game had a director pulling the strings, as many accuse the NFL of (jokingly of course…), it would have been considered one of the finest ever. It had it all: drama, one side crumbling under pressure, the man against all odds stepping up in his team’s time of need, and some ridiculously flukey plays (see below).

I will discuss Dan Campbell later. Watching this game really made me think that if RB Christian McCaffrey didn’t have all the MVP talent around him, he would have had an excellent case for MVP himself. He is just so consistent in his dynamism between running back and receiver, a top tier generational talent.

McCaffrey rolled up for 90 yards off 20 carries on the ground, but also 42 yards from four receptions in the air. Brock Purdy stepped up with his legs, with a crucial 48 yards, on big down plays when it mattered against a Lions defence that has really solidified in their playoff run.

This 49ers defence under Steve Wilks really needs studying, however. When you have one of the best edge rushers in the game in Nick Bosa, two top tier line-backers in Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw, and more, how can you give up 31 points (should have been more as well). Slightly worrying for their Super Bowl chances if this defence can’t step up.

#3- That performance was So Raven(s)

Turnovers on the one-yard line in the playoffs, a Baltimore special. 2021 vs the Bills, Jackson throws a pick-six which killed the game. 2022 vs the Bengals, Tyler Huntley fumbles and Sam Hubbard runs the length of the pitch to score a touchdown. 2023 vs the Chiefs, Zay Flowers fumbles a certain touchdown which would have tied the game.

The Chiefs did exactly everything right to throw this Ravens team off. What makes no sense however is why Baltimore used their running backs six, I repeat six, times in the game. They have the best rushing attack in the league and were up against the 28th worst rushing defence. Help me out here.

Lamar Jackson did not play to his brilliant capabilities. Overthrowing, missing his easy reads, throwing an interception into triple coverage, and not using his legs where he could have secured vital first downs. Perhaps the lights were too bright once again for Jackson, who has had a brilliant MVP season and will no doubt be at this point again.

There is a case to argue that this year was the best chance he will ever get at winning the Lombardi trophy, as many key players are out of contract this off-season. Only time will tell.

#4- Dan Campbell

I have so much admiration for Dan Campbell and this Lions team. He left me speechless on Sunday night however, and I can only imagine that Lions fans will be feeling just as confused and disappointed.

Campbell is notoriously aggressive on fourth down, that is his blueprint and it’s accepted. This however is playoff football. Detroit were up 24-10 with the chance to kick a field goal to make it a three score game. He declines and they do not make the fourth down.

https://twitter.com/NFLonCBS/status/1751808212620185846

A three score game is a psychological advantage like no other, away from home and beating another team down in the NFC Championship Game! Declining the easy three points once is unacceptable, but doubling down on it again? They lost by three points in the game. It is easy to say that games can swing no matter what, but the facts are there plain to see, it was poor game management.

This Lions team was fantastic this year, and I have no issue stating that they most likely be back to at least the divisional round next year. Campbell knows how difficult this game can be however, just to even reach the playoffs again. The NFL is a cruel and unforgiving league.

#5- Will Taylor Swift make it to see her beau Travis Kelce in Super Bowl 58?

The hot discourse this week is whether Swift can make it to Vegas to see Travis Kelce play in the Super Bowl. Her Eras tour is providing major clash issues, and all eyes are on whether she can make it from Tokyo.

My honest opinion? Not that anyone asked, but I hope she can, she has been nothing but a good influence on the sport for a new generation of fans. Even if she was rooting against my team last week! Onto the Super Bowl for one last round-up of the 2023 season.

Author

  • Ricky Westaby

    Ricky Westaby is the American Football editor for the Sports Gazette. Originally inspired by the Blind Side’s ‘true story’ to get into American Football, learning its dark truths was a crushing reality. However, the passion was already instilled. A QPR fan born and raised in West London, his other main areas of focus will include football and rugby union. @RWestaby_SG

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