The highly anticipated AFC Championship Game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs is set to take place at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday. Both teams boast elite quarterbacks and formidable defenses, making this matchup a must-watch for football fans.

Patrick Mahomes, the star quarterback for the Chiefs, has already led his team to two championships, earning NFL and Super Bowl MVP honors in 2018 and 2022. On the other side, Lamar Jackson, the 2019 NFL MVP, has been instrumental in leading the Ravens to the AFC's top seed this season.

Both teams have been dominant on defense, with the Ravens and Chiefs allowing fewer than 17.5 points per game, making them the top scoring defenses in the NFL. The Ravens are coming off a convincing 34-10 victory against the Texans, while the Chiefs narrowly edged out the Bills with a 27-24 win.

According to the latest odds, the Ravens are four-point favorites for Sunday's game, with an over/under of 44.5 points. To get a better perspective on this matchup, NFL expert Mike Tierney, known for his accurate picks involving the Ravens, has shared his predictions.

Tierney, a veteran sportswriter, had an impressive 2022 NFL season with a record of 68-54-6, returning $815 to $100 players. Moreover, he has an impressive record of 48-19-2 on his last 69 NFL picks involving the Ravens, resulting in a whopping $2,702 return. His expertise and insights make his predictions highly valued by fans.

The Ravens have an incredibly opportunistic defense, leading the league in takeaways (31) and sacks (60) during the regular season. Their defense, coupled with Lamar Jackson's tremendous dual-threat abilities, has made the Ravens a tough team to beat. Jackson has also excelled in the running game, leading the NFL in rushing with 821 yards in the regular season.

The Chiefs, led by Mahomes, have shown their resilience and ability to win games. Mahomes has an impressive record against Jackson, winning three out of the four meetings between them and consistently throwing for over 340 passing yards in each game. Kansas City's defense has also performed admirably, allowing just 17.3 points per game during the regular season, the second-fewest in the league.

With both teams presenting strong cases for victory, Tierney has analyzed this matchup and is leaning towards the total points scored staying under the point total. However, he has also discovered a critical X-factor that could heavily influence the outcome of this game.

To find out Tierney's expert pick and the critical X-factor that could impact the spread, fans can visit SportsLine for more information. With his impressive track record, his insights are highly anticipated by football enthusiasts.

The Ravens and Chiefs are ready to battle it out on Sunday for a chance to secure a spot in the Super Bowl. With their elite quarterbacks, top-notch defenses, and the expertise of Mike Tierney, this AFC Championship Game promises to be an exhilarating showdown that fans won't want to miss.