1. How do you stop Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen?

In order for the Ravens to get to the Super Bowl, they're going to have to beat THAT. Mahomes and Allen showed Sunday night why they are practically unbeatable when both playing at the top of their game – except one of them had to lose. Allen just didn't get a chance to answer. The Chiefs' 42-36 victory has to leave every other team in the AFC putting in overtime this offseason trying to figure out how they can build a defense that can slow them down. Let's also not forget that the Ravens did beat the Chiefs this season, 36-35, even though Mahomes threw for 343 yards and three touchdowns. A late interception and forced fumble (more on this below) were essential.

2. The AFC is loaded with young QB talent that will be fun to watch for years to come.

It's not just Mahomes and Allen – far from it. Let's not forget that Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert also reside in the AFC. Rookie Mac Jones helped led the Patriots to the playoffs in his first season, too. The future of the AFC is bright, and there will be many more elite battles in the years to come. We may be in a golden era of quarterbacking.

3. A wild finish … but not the wildest

The Chiefs and Bills combined for 25 points scored in the last one minute, 54 seconds, which is certainly wild. But it's only the second-most of any game in the regular season or postseason, during the Super Bowl era, per Elias. The most? The Ravens-Vikings snow game in 2013, when they combined for 28 points.

4. How about those Ravens overtime rules?

Not getting to watch Allen have another chance to answer Mahomes was a bummer Sunday night and brought the NFL's overtime rules back into focus. As soon as the Chiefs won the overtime coin toss, it seemed like the game was probably over. Sure enough, Kansas City marched down the field for a game-winning touchdown. The Ravens proposed a creative alternative with "spot-and-choose" that was voted down by NFL owners. It may be time to resurface that discussion.

5. Special teams matters

The 49ers stole a victory with a blocked punt returned for a touchdown in Green Bay, handing Aaron Rodgers and the Packers a 13-10 loss. Kicker Robbie Gould drilled a 45-yard field goal to end it. Bengals rookie kicker Evan McPherson hit a 52-yard game-winner as time expired. Rams kicker Matt Gay beat the Bucs with a 30-yard game-winner. The Chiefs' Harrison Butker missed a field goal (and PAT) but bailed himself out with a 49-yarder to send the game to overtime. The Bills could have run more time off the clock after scoring with 13 seconds left if they had skied or squibbed the ensuing kickoff instead of hitting a touchback. This is why the Ravens stress the importance of special teams (and are glad they have Justin Tucker).

6. Getting defensive turnovers is paramount.

The Bengals won after linebacker Logan Wilson intercepted Ryan Tannehill with 20 seconds left in regulation, setting up the game-winning field goal. Baltimore beat the Chiefs this year because of two late turnovers (Tavon Young interception and Odafe Oweh forced fumble). It underscores the importance of getting turnovers as a means to snuffing out late-game comebacks that seem so commonplace these days, especially with the elite quarterbacks mentioned above. In fact, it's how the Ravens closed out Tannehill and the Titans in last year's Wild-Card playoffs, when Marcus Peters picked off a long pass. The Ravens, who had the fifth-fewest interceptions in the league this year, sure missed that.

7. Pass rush nearly beat the Bengals

The Ravens surrendered 82 points to Burrow and the Bengals this year. The Titans defense didn't end up winning, but it certainly did its part to slow down Cincy by pummeling Burrow with nine sacks. The Bengals' offensive line was their weak spot this year. No quarterback was sacked more than Burrow's 51. The Ravens only sacked him four times in the two games this season after getting him seven times (including a forced fumble) in 2020. Pressure isn't all about sacks, but sacks make a big difference.

8. The Bengals are here to stay.

While the Bengals aren't infallible, winning in that atmosphere in Tennessee and knocking out the top-seeded Titans is obviously a huge win for a franchise that hadn't won a playoff game in 31 years before this season. The Bengals are headed to the AFC Championship Game and look like a franchise that isn't a one-year wonder with Burrow at the helm.

9. Cooper Kupp would've been a great Raven.

Watching the Rams' record-setting wide receiver go off for nine catches for 183 yards and a touchdown, including a 44-yarder to set up the game-winning field goal, is a painful reminder that the Ravens were reportedly very interested in drafting Kupp in 2017 and came close to doing so. The league's yards after catch leader would have been a great Raven.

10. Eric Weddle is an ageless wonder.

Who knows if that was Tom Brady's last game, as there is speculation that it could have been. It's clear that the 44-year-old quarterback (and former Ravens nemesis) still has a lot left. It's also clear that former Ravens safety Eric Weddle is another player apparently immune to aging. It's very impressive that Weddle has come out of retirement and stepped into the Rams defense, where he made four tackles Sunday. It was neat seeing Weddle have an extended midfield conversation with Brady after the thriller. Weddle now has a chance to play for his first trip to the Super Bowl.