Once again, the road to the Super Bowl in the AFC runs through Kansas City. The Chiefs have cemented themselves as the team to beat, finishing the regular season with a 15-2 record and securing home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. But while knocking off the two-time defending Super Bowl champions at Arrowhead Stadium is a daunting task, ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky believes one team is uniquely equipped to pull off the upset.
Appearing on First Take Thursday morning, Orlovsky made his case for the Baltimore Ravens as the most dangerous threat to the Chiefs’ dynasty.
“Most confident I’ve ever been about Lamar Jackson and the Ravens,” Orlovsky said. “If I had to pick one team that I truly, in my gut, thought could go to Kansas City and beat Kansas City, it’s Baltimore.”
Orlovsky’s confidence stems from a combination of factors. First, Lamar Jackson is having arguably his best season as an NFL quarterback, displaying both precision in the passing game and his trademark dynamic playmaking ability on the ground.
Additionally, the midseason acquisition of Derrick Henry has reshaped the Ravens’ offense, giving them a bruising ground attack that can wear down opponents, even elite defenses like Kansas City’s. Lastly, Baltimore boasts the No. 1 defense in the league since moving Kyle Hamilton to his natural position at safety, a shift that has unlocked the full potential of the Ravens’ secondary.
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When pressed to quantify his confidence in the Ravens and Jackson, Orlovsky didn’t hesitate.
“On a scale of 1 to 10? I’d say 9.9,” he declared. “This team has everything it needs to win in Arrowhead.”
Stephen A. Smith, Orlovsky’s co-host, appeared skeptical during the segment, rubbing his eyes and shaking his head as Orlovsky made his case. But even Smith couldn’t completely dismiss the possibility of Baltimore pulling off the upset.
“Listen,” Orlovsky continued, “the Ravens have the formula to win these kinds of games. They can control the clock, run the football, and keep Patrick Mahomes on the sidelines. And on defense, they have the ability to create turnovers and limit explosive plays. That’s what it takes to win at Arrowhead.”
The Ravens have proven they can rise to the occasion in tough matchups, and Orlovsky believes this iteration of the team is peaking at the right time. While Kansas City has long been considered the gold standard in the NFL, Baltimore’s balance on both sides of the ball, combined with Jackson’s MVP-caliber play, makes them a formidable challenger.
Of course, Orlovsky’s bold prediction wasn’t without pushback. Smith countered that the Chiefs’ playoff pedigree and Mahomes’ ability to elevate his game in high-pressure moments give Kansas City the edge.
“Yes, the Ravens are good,” Smith conceded, “but let’s not act like the Chiefs don’t have the best player in the world in Mahomes, a mastermind in Andy Reid, and one of the best home-field advantages in all of sports. Baltimore might make it interesting, but Kansas City isn’t going down without a fight.”
Orlovsky acknowledged the Chiefs’ dominance but reiterated his belief that Baltimore is the best-positioned team to dethrone them.
“It’s not just about who the better team is on paper,” he said. “It’s about matchups, momentum, and timing. The Ravens have all three working in their favor.”
The Kansas City Chiefs may still be the favorites, but in the unpredictable world of the NFL playoffs, anything is possible. Baltimore’s mix of offensive firepower, defensive dominance, and Lamar Jackson’s star power make them a legitimate contender.
Whether Orlovsky’s prediction holds true remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the AFC playoffs are shaping up to be a showdown for the ages.
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