This upcoming Sunday has a chance to break NFL viewership records. The Kansas City Chiefs will travel to Baltimore to take on Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, while the Detroit Lions will try to make their first-ever Super Bowl by beating the San Francisco 49ers on the road. The Chiefs, powered by two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes, will play their third straight cold-weather game, this time against the top-ranked Baltimore Ravens.
With a win, Mahomes will make his fourth career Super Bowl. Meanwhile, Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson will play in his first-ever AFC Championship after posting poor numbers through his first three postseasons. However, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith would instead take Jackson over Mahomes if he had to pick a quarterback on Sunday.
Stephen A. Smith: Wants Jackson Over Mahomes in AFC Championship
Stephen A. Smith, while on ESPN’s flagship show First Take, shocked his co-hosts when he said he would rather have Baltimore Ravens dual-threat quarterback Lamar Jackson over two-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes.
Hell done Froze Over. Stephen A Smith is taking Lamar Jackson over Patrick Mahomes. From "The Ravens aren't getting their money's worth from Lamar" after a loss to the Steelers to wanting him over Patrick Mahomes in the AFC Championship game. pic.twitter.com/jzLqdZIZZm
— AD🍉 (Eddie 3 Belts) (@ADLegend21) January 24, 2024
When asked who he would rather have on Sunday, Smith said, “Look, I think that Patrick Mahomes is arguably the greatest quarterback who has ever lived. Six straight AFC title games and what have you, two-time Super Bowl champion, three Super Bowls in his first five seasons, but on this morning, I have to say, it’s Lamar Jackson.”
Co-host Marcus Spears reacted with disbelief, and rightfully so. Mahomes is 13-3 in the postseason during his career. He has completed 67% of his passes for 4,561 yards and 38 touchdowns against seven picks.
Meanwhile, Jackson is 2-3 in the playoffs, with a 75.7 rating. He has completed 58% of his passes for five touchdowns and five interceptions. However, he has done well with his legs, rushing for 93.4 yards per game.
Kansas City Chiefs: Looking For Back-to-Back Super Bowl Appearances
The Chiefs will head to their second straight Super Bowl with a win on Sunday. However, they will need to do it on the road in Baltimore. The Chiefs played their first playoff road game (non-neutral) in the Mahomes era last Sunday, besting the Buffalo Bills 27-24. Mahomes threw for 215 yards and two scores, both going to future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce. Mahomes and Kelce set the record for most touchdowns (16) by a QB-receiver duo with their performances.
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