In a fascinating turn of events, the Kansas City Chiefs have been propelled by their defense this season.
Zay Flowers’ fumble on goal line swung Chiefs-Ravens AFC Championship
Zay Flowers was oh-so-close to a Ravens touchdowns
Mark Schofield is a former college quarterback and attorney covering the NFL and F1.
And it was their defense, and defensive back L’Jarius Sneed, that might have locked up a spot for them in Super Bowl 58.
Early in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s AFC Championship Game the Chiefs were leading 17-7, but the Baltimore Ravens offense was finally showing some life. Quarterback Lamar Jackson connected with rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers for a 54-yard gain, and while the rookie was flagged for taunting after the play, it gave Baltimore their best chance of the second half to cut into the Chiefs’ lead:
Flowers made up for the mental mistake a few plays later, picking up 14 yards on a crossing route to set the Ravens up with a 1st and 10 at the Kansas City 11-yard line. After a two-yard gain, the Ravens faced a 2nd and 9 at the Chiefs’ 8-yard line. That’s when Jackson connected with Flowers again, and it looked as if the rookie plunged into the end zone with a critical touchdown for Baltimore.
However, Sneed had other ideas:
As you can see from this angle, as Flowers dives ahead for the goal line, Sneed manages to punch the ball out just shy of the end zone:
If the Chiefs do advance to Super Bowl 58 their defense — and this play from Sneed — will be a huge reason why.
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