The Kansas City Chiefs took care of business against the Buffalo Bills during the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs.
It was not a blowout win, but it showed what the Chiefs can do in big moments. Josh Allen and the Bills are the no. 1 seed for a reason, and beating them is a testament to that.
However, the Ravens are a different foe entirely. They took care of business against the Houston Texans, too, but in a dominant fashion.
They ruled the regular season consistently on their way to a bye advantage for the playoffs.
The demeanor of MVP race frontrunner Lamar Jackson and the rest of the team shows how hungry they are for a Super Bowl appearance.
Jackson said he has been in the league for a long time but has yet to go deep in the postseason. Together with longtime teammates, he thought their time is now.
"It's crazy. It made me sit back and realize, 'Damn, I'm getting older. I've got to get a championship now,'" Jackson told The Atlantic a few days before they kicked off their game against the Texans.
"That's one of the reasons I'm stressing that I need to win it. I'm not getting any younger. It's best to win it now."
That hunger translated to a manhandling of the young Texans.
Read more: 3 Buccaneers Players to Blame for NFL Playoffs Loss vs. Lions
The Chiefs have a game plan set for the Ravens. They have something to at least limit Lamar Jackson, who was sensational in his last playoff game.
The Ravens are not just him, though. The Chiefs can secure a win if they consider these possible scenarios that can pose a problem.
1. The Ravens' run game
The Ravens' run game went to a different level against the Texans. They dominated their Divisional Round opponent by disassembling their defensive schemes from all fronts through a run game.
Baltimore ran for 229 yards, and Jackson scored twice on the ground. It also won the time of possession battle, holding onto the ball for 37 minutes and 35 seconds.
Three minutes into the third quarter, the onslaught started. They devised a 12-play 93-yard drive and then an 11-play 78-yard drive. The two plays lasted 14 minutes, widening the gap between the two teams.
They controlled the possessions in the entire second half and recorded a total run of 229 yards. Jackson scored twice.
They outscored the Texans 24-0.
The Chiefs should shadow Justice Hill and Gus Edwards, who combined to finish with 106 yards on 23 attempts.
2. Odell Beckham Jr. breakout game
"He will definitely be one of the guys," this is what Lamar Jackson said about wide receiver teammate Beckham Jr.
Everybody believes his breakout game will come anytime soon. It has yet to happen, but the Chiefs cannot be complacent.
Passers always target Beckham. His numbers may not be outstanding (35 catches, 565 yards, three touchdowns), but he does not need to be sensational as everybody in the team chips in.
He can light it up on the big stage. He made a sensational catch at the Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals before going down with an injury.
3. Defense
The Baltimore Ravens defense muted CJ Stroud. It was like their defensive scheme was specially orchestrated to stop the super rookie's passing game.
The team did not have a sack, but they limited their rushing game, allowing just 38 yards for the Texans.
Stroud finished with 19 for 33 passing completions for just 175 yards.
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