The Baltimore Ravens will not be heading to the Super Bowl after their offense fell apart in the fourth quarter of Sunday's AFC Championship battle with the Kansas City Chiefs.
A fumble by wide receiver Zay Flowers and an interception by quarterback Lamar Jackson sealed the 17-10 loss.
The Ravens were attempting to mount a comeback from a 10-point deficit early in the fourth quarter when Flowers took a 15-yard taunting penalty and then fumbled at the one-yard line.
Chiefs cornerback L'Jarius Sneed forced the fumble, and Kansas City cornerback Trent McDuffie recovered the ball.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportZAY FLOWERS FUMBLE LEADS TO A TOUCHBACK 🤯😳<br><br>CHIEFS BALL.<br><br>(via <a href="">@NFL</a>) <br> <a href="">
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportLamar heated on sidelines after INT 😬<br><br>(via <a href="">@NFLonCBS</a>)<a href="">
On the following Ravens drive, Jackson attempted a pass to tight end Isaiah Likely that was picked off in the end zone.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportLAMAR GETS PICKED OFF 😳<br><br>(via <a href="">@NFL</a>) <br> <a href="">
Viewers picked out Flowers' interception as a central turning point in the Ravens' loss.
Next Gen Stats @NextGenStatsThe Ravens' win probability was cut in half as a result of Zay Flowers' fumble at the 1-yard line that was recovered by the Chiefs in the end zone.<br><br>🔹 Pre-Play Win Probability: 28.3%<br>🔹 Post-Play Win Probability: 13.5%<br>🔹 Change: -14.8% ▼<a href="">#KCvsBAL</a> | <a href="">#ChiefsKingdom</a> <a href="">
Stephen A Smith @stephenasmithGame Over. A taunting penalty by Flowers, followed by a fumble/touchback! Don't get me started on the earlier penalties that led to KC scores. Now stupidity by Clowney w/ roughing the passer. Ravens will lose due to LACK OF DISCIPLINE/MATURITY….barring a miracle
Cameron Wolfe @CameronWolfeChiefs CB L'Jarius Sneed is an elite player. One of the best CBs in football.<br><br>Sneed's play on goal line forcing Zay Flowers fumble may end up the defining player of this AFC Championship Game.
Sam McDowell @SamMcDowell11Five minutes ago, Zay Flowers was flagged for taunting L'Jarius Sneed.<br><br>Sneed just made the play of the game — a forced fumble at the goal line — on Flowers.
Dre @DCSportsDreZay Flowers just had the best/worst possession I've seen from a wide out, 3 big catches, 1 stupid penalty & a fumble
TicTacTitans @TicTacTitansZay Flowers with THREE huge rookie mistakes. <br><br>Taunting, fumble, hurting his hand reacting to the mistake. <br><br>Rough.
Joe Schad @schadjoeZay Flowers can't fumble there<br><br>No no no <br><br>OMG
Shane Haff @ShaneHaffNFLZay Flowers taunting into fumble into injuring his hand hitting the bench is a rough stretch.
Jeremy @JKMJXH3Zay Flowers. 🤦🏽♂️ <br><br>Taunting. Cost his team 15-yards. <br>Fumble. Cost his team a touchdown. <br><br>Bruh!
Tom Downey @WhatGoingDowneyZay Flowers disaster fumble
Fans, who earlier in the game had been impressed with Jackson's 13-yard pass to himself, were also unhappy with the quarterback's decision to throw his late pick into triple coverage.
Jeff Zrebiec @jeffzrebiecLamar Jackson throws the ball into triple coverage in the EZ and he was intercepted by Bush. That should do it. <br>Bad decision and an underthrow, too. Jackson spiked his helmet on the way to the sideline.
JP Finlay @JPFinlayNBCSEnd zone INT into triple coverage. Woof. Lamar man what was that
Matt Bowen @MattBowen41Poor decision from Lamar on the INT. Safeties over the top. Trial defender underneath the seam route.
Skywalker Steele @SkywalkerSteeleBrutal pick by Lamar. A FG at least keeps you alive, oof
Dead President Picks @DeadPresPicksLamar simply isn't a clutch QB.
Mike Frazer ✝️ @MPFrazerNo idea what on Earth Lamar was trying to do there. Just a tiny speck of purple in a sea of red and white. That was an awful INT.
John U Choi DDS, PhD @jcperio1That INT into triple coverage should put Kansas City in the Super Bowl. Mahomes seems to throw one of the most catchable balls by altering his ball velocity, ball placement and his accuracy. Lamar on the other hand, has the arm strength, but lacks accuracy and touch.
Jackson recorded 272 yards on 20-for-37 throwing for one touchdown and one interception in the Ravens' season-ending loss.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs, behind quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his 30-for-39 passing for a score and no interceptions, are headed for their fourth Super Bowl appearance in five years.
