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We are now just a day away from the conference title games. In the first of Sunday's two contests, the No. 1 seed will host the No. 3 seed for the right to call themselves AFC champions.In our effort to break down these matchups from every conceivable angle, we're going to use this space to Yunel Escobar Jersey do a little tale of the tape type of comparison, breaking down which team has the edge at every different position. We'll do the same for the NFC finalists.Without further ado... KC QB #15 CMP%67.2YDs4183TD27INT14YD/Att7.01 is likely going to be named MVP in a few weeks. He had a fantastic season, completing a career-best 67.2% of his pa ses at a career-high 8.1 yards per attempt, with 24 touchdowns against just seven interceptions, and he added 821 yards and five additional scores on the ground. It wasn't quite as legendary as his 2019 MVP campaign, but it was still really damn good. had a down season by his standards, matching Lamar with a 67.2% completion rate, but averaging a career-low 7.0 yards per attempt, with 27 touchdowns against a carer-high 14 interceptions. Obviously, we know all about the Chiefs' offensive struggles throughout this season and how Mahomes was consistently let down by his offensive line and especially his wide receivers; but still, Mahomes finished the regular season ranked just 10th in EPA/dropback, per Tru Media, the first time in his career he's finished outside the top 3. And yet, Mahomes is playing in his sixth consecutive AFC title game, having won three of the previous five. I find it extremely hard to bet against him in any scenario, and although Jackson had the better season, there is at the same time little doubt in my mind that Mahomes is the better player. That doesn't nece sarily mean the Chiefs Blank Jersey will win, just that Kansas City has the edge at the game's most important position. KC RB #10 Att205Yds935TD7FL1 If Baltimore's running backs were healthy, this would be more of a debate. and bring a greater level of explosivene s than do and (or ), who mostly gain the yards that are blocked and not much more. Among the 68 running backs with 50-plus carries this season, they ranked 43rd (Edwards) and 45th (Hill) in explosive run rate. was far ahead of both, even if he only ranked 26th, and he has proven to have far more utility as a pa s-catcher than Edwards, in particular. Pacheco's ability to create yards after contact with his violent running style is key for Kansas City's offense. BAL WR #4 TAR108REC77REC YDs858REC TD5FL0 This one is almost no contest. Kansas City has exactly one wide receiver whom opponents need to worry about on any level: . He's been better this season than anyone on the Ravens (who have their own explosive rookie wideout in ), but the rest of the Chiefs' receivers are such a disaster that the Ravens can't help but have a better group. Kansas City wideouts had a sky-high 6.1% drop rate on the season, and drops were far from their biggest problem. The fact that Flowers, Odell Beckham Jr., and are clearly the better group is a wild turn of events, considering the i sues the Ravens have had at receiver in recent years. KC TE #87 TAR121REC93REC YDs984REC TD5FL1 remains the best tight end in football, even if he -- like Mahomes -- had a down season by his standards. He re-emphasized that reality last week with a huge game against the . is in Mike Trout Jersey the conversation for the next-best player at the position, but if he comes back this weekend he is unlikely to be at full strength. is a really good player, but he's not on Kelce's level, either. BAL OT #79 When the Chiefs embarked on their offensive line makeover after being torn asunder by the in the a few years ago, it was never supposed to be in the cards that they'd be working at a deficit up front. But their decisions at tackle this past offseason -- signing to a ma sive deal and to a smaller one -- did not work out. Meanwhile, the Ravens are once again one of the NFL's best in the trenches, even with not being quite himself. Particularly on the right side of the line with and , Kole Calhoun Jersey Baltimore can just maul opponents, and center has given the group more athleticism. BAL DT #92 is the best individual player on either defensive line, a singular game-wrecking force on the interior. is a good complimentary rusher. , , , and rookie are solid. Baltimore just has much more overall talent among this group, not least because we have to include players like and , who are listed as linebackers but operate as edge rushers. There's also , , ,, and . That's just more than what the Chiefs have to offer. BAL ILB , Willie Gay Jr., and are a good group. But they are not and . Pick Six Newsletter Crafted By The Best NFL Experts Get the day's big stories + fun stuff you love like mock drafts, picks and power rankings. I agree to receive the "Pick Six Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. By pre sing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the and acknowledge Paramount's . Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox. Sorry! There was an error proce sing your subscription. Shohei Ohtani Jersey BAL SAF #14 The Chiefs have a really good secondary. was named an All-Pro! might be even better than him in coverage. and are solid. , and are a pretty good safety trio. But Baltimore might have the best and most versatile secondary in the NFL. It starts with , one of the most dynamic second-level players in the league. (when healthy) is fantastic, but even players like , and have shined at times this season. didn't have his best year, but "not his best" is still really damn good. BAL K #9 alone is probably enough to give Baltimore the edge here, but is also a very good return man and the Chiefs' return units have been a me s at times. (They use wide receivers and for most returns. Go figure.) So even if and are good in their own right, we have to give the edge to the Ravens. |
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发表于 2024-7-20 15:22:25