The Baltimore Ravens boasted the best record in the NFL during the regular season with a 13-4 record, yet fell one victory short of reaching Super Bowl LVIII. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC Championship Game on January 28, setting up a Super Bowl clash against the San Francisco 49ers.
Reflecting on the outcome, Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey expressed a strong preference for the 49ers to win the Super Bowl. Humphrey, who watched the Pro Bowl with a sense of bias against the AFC, revealed his desire for the 49ers to emerge victorious. He believed the 49ers were a better match against the Chiefs due to their discipline and defense.
Despite acknowledging the formidable duo of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce for the Chiefs, Humphrey admitted he struggled to devise a plan to stop them. He emphasized the difficulty in containing Kelce, whom he regarded as arguably the greatest tight end of all time.
In analyzing the Chiefs’ chances against the 49ers, Humphrey highlighted the importance of tackling, particularly against playmakers like Deebo Samuel. He emphasized that the 49ers possessed elite players across every offensive position, making effective tackling crucial for success.
Humphrey, who joined the Ravens from Alabama in 2017, discussed the challenges faced in the AFC Championship Game, pointing to defensive issues, struggles on fourth down, and crucial turnovers as contributing factors to their defeat. Despite the setback, Humphrey acknowledged the progress the Ravens made in the 2023 season, coming closer than ever to a Super Bowl appearance.