The Ravens were one toe away from potentially opening the season 1-0 with a win over the reigning Super Bowl champions. Kansas City rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy scored touchdowns rushing and receiving. Isiah Pacheco also had a touchdown run for the Chiefs, who beat the Ravens for the fifth time in their last six meetings.
Patrick Mahomes threw for 291 yards and a touchdown, and a Lamar Jackson touchdown pass to Isaiah Likely was overturned with no time remaining, allowing the Chiefs to begin the pursuit of a record third straight Super Bowl title with a 27-20 victory over Baltimore on Thursday night.
Jackson initially connected with Isaiah Likely in the back of the end zone with no time remaining for his second touchdown of the night. The video replay showed Likely’s toe landing on the end line, and the call was overturned.
Jackson threw for 273 yards and a touchdown while adding 122 yards on the ground, while Likely had a career-high 111 yards receiving and a score on nine catches.
With Baltimore set to begin preparation for the Raiders, here is an instant analysis of the instant classic.
Malik Harrison struggles
Dec 12, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Malik Harrison (40) warms up before the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Harrison had two tackles on the night and, even worse, struggled to set the edge as a run-stopper and was exposed in coverage on multiple occasions against Rashee Rice.
Ravens went away from Derrick Henry
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 05: Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Ravens ran once and passed six times on the first possession. Derrick Henry has nine carries for 32 yards. Henry had five carries on the game’s opening drive and nine the rest of the way, finishing with 46 yards, 3.5 yards per carry, and a touchdown.
Ravens offensive line struggles
Oct 8, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (79) at the line of scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Eric DeCosta admitted there would be growing pains, and that’s precisely what happened on the night as Lamar Jackson was harassed at times, and the Ravens struggled to mount a rushing attack from the running back position.
Changing of the guard at the TE Spot
Sep 5, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) runs the ball as Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill (23) defends during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Mark Andrews is a legendary Raven, but Isaiah Likely is the future at the position. Likely finished the game with nine catches, 111 yards, and one touchdown.
Xavier Worthy dominant rookie performance
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 05: Xavier Worthy #1 of the Kansas City Chiefs makes a first-down reception against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Worthy had touchdowns rushing and receiving and logged three total touches for 68 yards and two explosive scores in his debut.
Lamar Jackson was dominant in a loss
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 05: Quarterback Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens looks to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The morning talk shows will talk about Jackson suffering another loss to Patrick Mahomes, but the MVP quarterback wasn’t the cause of the problem on Thursday night. Jackson three for 273 yards and a touchdown while adding 122 yards on the ground,
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Rashee Rice
Sep 5, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) runs the ball as Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (0) defends during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Rice dealt with off the field legal issues this summer, but hit the ground running in his first game of the 2024 season, logging 7 catches for 103 yards on the night.
