Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Lights go out on CBS halftime show during Chiefs-Ravens game

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Kaiden Smith | Last updated 1/28/24

The first half of the AFC Championship game featuring the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas Chefs is already looking like a lights-out game with all the makings of an instant classic. But the CBS halftime crew took that notion a little too literally.

At halftime of the Chiefs-Ravens game, the sideline setup for CBS appeared to be missing some lighting for the halftime report. With CBS’ crew of analysts sitting in the dark as they broke down the action in a hilarious moment that can be seen below.

The Chiefs currently lead the Ravens 17-7 at halftime.

The CBS halftime show, in the dark. pic.twitter.com/sRdZAroTv6
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 28, 2024

The show must go on though, as the lack of lighting didn’t stop CBS’ halftime crew from giving their analysis. As James Brown, Boomer Esiason, Phil Simms, Nate Burleson, Bill Cowher, and JJ Watt continued to dissect the details of the first half despite maybe not being able to see their notes.

Thankfully, the lights eventually came on during the halftime report, with Burleson, “Let there be light” once they were back up and running.

Kansas City got things going early and often in the first half with 17 points and 221 yards of total offense. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 161 yards and a touchdown pass in the first half, completing an impressive 20 of his 25 pass attempts in his sixth straight AFC Championship game.

Tight end Travis Kelce yet again was Mahomes’ top target, ending the first half with nine catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. Surpassing Jerry Rice’s all-time playoff receptions record of 151 postseason catches while also on the heels of Rice’s playoff reception yards and touchdown records as well.

The Chiefs’ defense brought their A-game as well, holding the Ravens to just 110 yards of total offense and seven points following the second quarter, further proving that they were one of the league’s best defenses in the 2023 season.

Lamar Jackson catches own deflected pass for 1st down vs. Chiefs in AFC Championship

In an AFC Championship game with no shortage of high-level playmaking in the first half, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson may have had the most impressive highlight. And it came on a pass he threw — and then caught.

Trailing the Kansas City Chiefs, 14-7, in the second quarter, Jackson dropped back and attempted a pass to his left. Chiefs safety Justin Reid deflected the pass skyward and as a thicket of defenders chased it down for a potential interception, so did Jackson.

And the quarterback came up with it, taking the pass to himself 13 yards for a first down.