AFC Divisional preview: Chiefs, Ravens look to stave off upsets

At season’s beginning, everyone asked the same question about the AFC. Will the Kansas City Chiefs or New England Patriots host the AFC title game? Turns out, likely neither.

While the Chiefs remain alive and well, it’s the Baltimore Ravens who are positioned to host the AFC Championship Game with one more win.

Here’s how the AFC Divisional matchups preview for this weekend:

Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens (-10)

The Ravens are the best team in football. Baltimore hasn’t lost since Week 4, when the Cleveland Browns came into Charm City and hammered the eventual AFC North champs. Quarterback Lamar Jackson has led the team, likely to earn MVP honors in only his first full season as the starter. Jackson set a rushing record for quarterbacks with 1,206 yards, along with accounting for 43 total touchdowns in 15 starts. Combined with a defense that took off following the midseason trade for All-Pro cornerback Marcus Peters, and Baltimore looks to be the heavy favorite.

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However, the Titans aren’t going to go quietly. Tennessee was able to knock off the New England Patriots last weekend, who were in the process of trying for their fourth straight AFC title. The Titans come into the contest with Derrick Henry in the backfield, the NFL rushing champion. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill and wide receiver A.J. Brown have also been explosive down the stretch, giving Tennessee some balance on offense.

Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs (-10)

On Sunday afternoon, the Chiefs and Texans will tangle at Arrowhead Stadium for the second time this season. The first matchup was in Week 6, when Houston won an ugly 31-24 affair. Kansas City wants to play a much cleaner game this time around. Consider that in the first meeting, the Chiefs were called for 12 penalties, missed a field goal, saw Patrick Mahomes re-injure his ankle, fumbled inside the five-yard line and threw an interception in the end zone. All in the first half.

Read: NFC Divisional Preview – Seahawks, Packers Primed For Close One

Another big difference? Kansas City will have left tackle Eric Fisher, defensive tackle Chris Jones, defensive end Terrell Suggs, wide receiver Sammy Watkins and a healthy Mahomes. None of that was true back in October. If the Texans are going to win again over Kansas City, it’ll likely be with their best effort of the season. Houston barely escaped against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium last Saturday, rallying from a 16-0 deficit in the third quarter. Deshaun Watson has the chops to pull the upset, but does the rest of his team?