The Kansas City Chiefs opened the NFL season with a 27-20 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, winning by a few blades of grass. The Ravens were trailing by seven points but were deep inside Chiefs territory with only four seconds to go when Lamar Jackson connected with tight end Isaiah Likely in the back of the end zone as time expired. The catch was initially ruled a touchdown and Baltimore appeared ready to go for two and the win, but on replay, Likely’s right toe was shown to have landed out of bounds by mere inches.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 291 yards in front of a packed house at Arrowhead Stadium, which included pop megastar and Travis Kelce's girlfriend Taylor Swift. Mahomes' presence was felt throughout the game, and his leadership proved instrumental in securing the victory.
First Quarter: A Tight Battle
Baltimore opened the scoring on its first drive of the matchup before Kansas City scored 13 straight points to take a 13-7 lead. The Ravens answered with a field goal late in the first half, but the Chiefs extended their lead to 20-10 on an Isiah Pacheco run to cap their first drive of the second half.
Second Quarter: A Shift in Momentum
The second quarter saw the momentum shift back and forth. Patrick Mahomes, throwing off his back foot, was intercepted by Roquan Smith, giving the Ravens a chance to tie the game. However, Baltimore kicker Justin Tucker narrowly missed a 53-yard field goal, leaving Kansas City with a short field. Kansas City ultimately capitalized on this opportunity, and Harrison Butker connected from 31 yards out to give Kansas City a 13-7 lead midway through the second quarter.
Third Quarter: A Turning Point
The third quarter saw a crucial turning point in the game. Patrick Mahomes hit Xavier Worthy for a 35-yard touchdown, taking advantage of an inexplicable blown coverage by the Ravens. Worthy was wide open down the sideline as the Chiefs extended their lead to 27-17 with 10:25 left in regulation. The Ravens then countered with a touchdown of their own, but with 15 minutes left, the Ravens were in desperate need for points on their next drive.
Fourth Quarter: The Final Push
The fourth quarter brought a dramatic finish. Baltimore got a key third-down stop, tipping a Patrick Mahomes pass to prevent a conversion that would have effectively ended the game. The Ravens then drove down the field and with only four seconds remaining, Lamar Jackson connected with Isaiah Likely in the end zone. The catch, however, was ruled out of bounds. The game ultimately ended in a 27-20 Chiefs victory, leaving the Ravens with a bitter taste of defeat.
A Night of Stars
Taylor Swift's presence at the game was undeniable. She was spotted cheering on Travis Kelce from the box at Arrowhead Stadium and even interacted with fans on the other side of the glass. She was captured on camera cheesing and cheering, adding an extra layer of excitement to the night.
A Look Ahead
The Chiefs' next game is against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 15. The Ravens play the Raiders on the same day, marking the start of a long season for both teams. The 2024-25 NFL season has officially kicked off, and the battles for playoff spots are just beginning.
