Ravens’ Comeback Falls Just Short Against Chiefs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs extended their dominance over a major AFC rival, defeating the Baltimore Ravens 27-20 in a thrilling season opener. The outcome hinged on a narrow call as receiver Isaiah Likely’s foot was ruled out of bounds on what would have been a touchdown just seconds before the clock ran out.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs with remarkable precision, while rookie receiver Xavier Worthy shined with a two-touchdown debut. The Chiefs, fresh off their Super Bowl victory, are showing strong promise as they aim for an elusive three-peat.

On the other hand, Lamar Jackson’s career record against Mahomes now stands at just 1-5, as the Ravens experienced déjà vu from last season’s playoff loss.

Worthy made an immediate impact after being drafted to reinvigorate the Chiefs’ offense. Scoring on his first carry with a quick 21-yard run, he also snagged a 35-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes later in the game. While he may not achieve this level of production in every game, his explosive potential suggests he could be a significant player for the Chiefs moving forward.

Even without fellow wide receiver Marquise Brown, who sat out due to injury, the Chiefs’ passing game thrived. Rashee Rice complemented Worthy’s debut with a standout performance, catching seven passes and accumulating 103 yards, boasting impressive yards after the catch.

A critical moment for Mahomes came late in the first half when he was intercepted while forcing a throw. This costly error gave the Ravens a good opportunity, resulting in a field goal. Nevertheless, he completed a solid 20 of 28 passes for 291 yards, surpassing Len Dawson to become the all-time leading passer in Chiefs history.

In contrast, the Baltimore Ravens faced immediate frustration as their season opened in a manner reminiscent of last year’s conclusion. Falling to the Chiefs yet again added to Jackson’s struggles, particularly in high-pressure situations.

Jackson did rally the Ravens to the Kansas City 10-yard line on their final drive, missing opportunities to score. He failed to connect with a wide-open Zay Flowers and, although he threw a pass to Likely, the play was undone by a foot out of bounds, sealing the defeat for Baltimore.

Despite the loss, Jackson showcased his skills by recording his ninth career game with over 200 passing yards and more than 100 rushing yards—an NFL record. However, this was not enough to match the pacing set by Mahomes and the Chiefs, with the latter now holding a significant edge in their matchups.

Jackson’s performance was defined by frustrating moments, especially within the red zone. He converted just 1-of-4 attempts for 9 yards in this crucial area during the first half, contrasting sharply with his previous season’s 68% completion rate in red zone situations. A fumble at the Ravens’ 13-yard line led directly to a Chiefs field goal, further compounding the team’s difficulties.

A rising concern for Baltimore is the Chiefs’ ability to neutralize tight end Mark Andrews, who has historically been Jackson’s go-to target. Andrews was notably underused, finishing the game with only two catches for 14 yards, as the Chiefs’ defense effectively thwarted his contributions.

With 122 rushing yards, a leaner Jackson climbed past Russell Wilson on the all-time rushing list for quarterbacks. He now stands just behind Michael Vick and Cam Newton, although both of those players achieved their totals over significantly more games.

The loss to Kansas City raises pivotal questions for the Ravens moving forward. Although it’s too early to overanalyze, this game reaffirmed Mahomes’ dominance over Jackson. With another head-to-head defeat, doubts linger about the Ravens’ ability to contend with the Chiefs, especially considering Jackson’s 0-3 record in Arrowhead Stadium. The road to the Super Bowl could very well depend on navigating challenging matchups against Kansas City.

Next, the Chiefs will face the Cincinnati Bengals, while the Ravens are set to play against the Las Vegas Raiders.