The 2024 NFL offseason is officially underway after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII to secure back-to-back Lombardi wins.
After dominating the 49ers during the regular season, the Ravens will spend this spring and summer thinking what if after a 17-10 loss to the Chiefs in the AFC title game.
There are lessons to be learned from every game played, and even though Baltimore wasn’t in the Super Bowl, they can take formulas and gems from both teams.
With NFL free agency fast approaching, here are five things the Ravens can learn from the Chiefs’ 25-22 win over the 49ers in overtime.
Dynamic RB help
Lamar Jackson leading the Ravens in rushing isn’t the worst thing, until you watch Christian McCaffrey have 28 total touches in the Super Bowl for 160 yards and one touchdown.
Isiah Pacheco had 18 carries for 59 yards, and added 6 catches of his own for 33 yards.
Whether it be Keaton Mitchell or another running back of choice, Baltimore needs to add a dual-threat playmaker.
It's okay to spread the football around
In the Super Bowl 58 win, MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed passes to eight different players, including nine grabs for Travis Kelce and six grabs for rookie Rashee Rice.
An offense can get stale without creativity or secondary options outside the big 3 of Lamar Jackson, Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews.
Justin Madubuike has to return
Justin Madubuike is one of the NFL’s best free agents, but his return to Baltimore has to be an urgent priority.
Kansas City defensive tackle Mike Pennel earned a more prominent role for the postseason and played 115 dominant snaps during Kansas City’s four-game run to the Super Bowl.
Pennel saw 40 snaps in the Super Bowl against San Francisco, nearly the same number of snaps he played in the regular season, but dominated in every facet.
According to PFF, the 49ers averaged just 1.7 yards before contact and 0.266 EPA on run plays, ranking as their second-worst output of the season.
On the 21 run plays where Pennel was on the field for Kansas City and San Francisco, they averaged -0.350 EPA per play, which would have been their lowest mark all season in a complete game. For comparison, the least efficient running game in the NFL this season belonged to the Chargers, at -0.235 EPA per play.
Pressure burst pipes
Brock Purdy was 23 of 38 passing for 255 yards, one touchdown, and one interception on the night, but Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo made it a point to pressure Purdy in crucial situations.
The 49ers’ star signal-caller was 2-of-6 passing for 29 yards, 4.8 YPA, and a 50.0 rating when blitzed on third down.
Zach Orr is going to implement his own vision on the Ravens defense, and continued pressure has to be a critical part.
Lamar Jackson has to take his game to another level
Jackson is a two-time MVP, and although he gets a bad wrap for the Ravens, he must take his game to another level in 2024.
Mahomes led another magical comeback on the NFL’s biggest stage in America.
Mahomes threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman in overtime, and the Chiefs rallied to beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 on Sunday, becoming the NFL’s ninth repeat Super Bowl champs.
Kansas City captured their third title in five years, a run that puts them among the league’s greatest franchises.
The game was sloppy and full of mistakes, but Mahomes made the plays that were needed, running for 8 yards on fourth-and-1 to keep the Chiefs’ chances alive and then scrambled 19 yards to set up the winning score, which came 14:57 into overtime.
The 28-year-old Mahomes becomes the fourth starting QB to win three Super Bowls — joining Brady, Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw and Troy Aikman — and second-youngest.
He led the Chiefs, passing for over 300+ yards, and also rushing for 50+ yards.
Mahomes finished 34 of 46 for 333 yards and two TDs.
