Chiefs hold on for thrilling win over Ravens after Isaiah Likely's toe was called out of bounds on final play after review

An absolutely stunning season opener came down to the final play

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) scores past Baltimore Ravens linebacker Malik Harrison (40) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) scores past Baltimore Ravens linebacker Malik Harrison (40) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

The NFL season is underway and Game 1 of 272 was an absolute thriller. The Kansas City Chiefs escaped with a 27-20 win after Isaiah Likely's toe was out of bounds on a pass from Lamar Jackson on the final play of the game in the back of the end zone.

It was a tough ending for a great night for Likely, who caught 9 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown on a career night. Jackson had a big night as well with 122 yards on the ground and a 26/41 night through the air with that touchdown pass to Likely in the fourth quarter.

Patrick Mahomes threw for 291 yards and a touchdown — the TD pass was to rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy who also ran for a score in his NFL debut.

The start of the game was delayed by 20 minutes due to inclement weather in Kansas City just ahead of the scheduled 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff.

Both teams will now have a little extra rest heading into Week 2 where Kansas City will host the Bengals and the Ravens head back to Baltimore for their home opener agains the Las Vegas Raiders.

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  • Featured

    Lamar Jackson, Isaiah Likely nearly connect for touchdown pass in thrilling finish

    It couldn't have been closer. On the final play of the game, the Ravens came up just inches away from a chance to tie the game — or win it on a 2-point conversion — with Isaiah Likely catching the ball in the end zone but a toe touching the chalk made it an incomplete pass.

  • The Ravens are set for a chance to tie, but Isaiah Likley is down.

    After a huge connection from Jackson to Bateman to get Baltimore in the red zone, the Ravens are at the 10 with 10 seconds left to play in regulation.

  • Timeout with 1:11 remaining for Leo Chenal

    The Chiefs' linebacker has to come out after the injury timeout, stopping the clock. The Ravens are out of timeouts.

  • Isaiah Likely over 100 yards

    With two catches on the final drive, and getting out of bounds on both, Likely is over 100 yards for the night as Baltimore drives to try to tie — or go ahead — late

  • Mahomes catches his own pass to avoid throwing interception on late third down play

    Mahomes avoided a disaster by catching his own deflected pass to avoid an incompletion and more importantly, an interception, allowing the Chiefs to take the game to the 2-minute warning.

  • Pacheco's strong night continues

    The gritty Chiefs' Running back picked up a huge 1st down to get the clock under 3 minutes, rolling over defenders to fight to the marker and put K.C. one first down away from being able to salt the game away.

  • Ravens get 3 to cut it to one score

    Justin Tucker gets on the board again with 4:54 to go, and the Chiefs lead is cut to 27-20. Baltimore has outgained Kansas City, but some ill-timed penalties have stalled some offensive drives, leading to three Tucker field goal attempts. The lone turnover was a great individual effort on a strip sack by Chris Jones, but the game has felt like Baltimore has been playing catchup through the entire second half, even though there isn't much of a statistical advantage for the Chiefs

  • Baltimore continues to be able to run the ball well

    Lamar Jackson is over 100 yards rushing — a mark he reached just once last year — but he is the NFL's all-time leader with 100-yard rushing games by quarterbacks. The Ravens are averaging 6.1 yards per carry, but trail by 10 as they close in on the red zone, halfway through the 4th quarter.

  • Mahomes finds Worthy to put Kansas City back up 10

    After scrambling for a big 1st down in a huge 3rd down spot, Mahomes hit a wide open Xavier Worthy streaking down the right sideline for a 35-yard score. The first TD pass of the season for Mahomes and second score of the day for Worthy who's having a huge NFL debut.

  • Rice looking the part of a No. 1 receiver

    Rashee Rice is over 100 yards in the season opener. He had just two 100-yard games in his first season, and he has looked like a top-option for Patrick Mahomes against one of the best defenses in the NFL.

  • Baltimore strikes with 49-yard Jackson to Likely TD pass

    Lamar Jackson's magic was on full display with this one. The reigning league MVP gets the Ravens back in it, escaping pressure to get the ball to his emerging No. 2 tight end who tightroped down the sideline to cut Kansas City's lead to 20-17.

  • Lamar Jackson makes a play with his legs, picking up a big 1st down

    On a tough third down, Jackson's 16-yard run got Baltimore into K.C. territory. He's up to 79 yards rushing and the third quarter isn't even done yet. Jackson followed that up with another long run that was called back by a hold on center Tyler Linderbaum.

  • Baltimore's drive runs out of gas and the Ravens punt

    The field is flipped and the Chiefs will start on their own 10-yard line. The Ravens have run the ball well, averaging 5.4 yards per carries on 19 rushes. But moving the ball early in drives has been a challenge, setting up long down-and-distance situations

  • Back-to-back big pass plays have Baltimore on the move

    The Ravens have opened up their drive following up the K.C. touchdown with a couple of big pass place to get into Chiefs territory. A third-and-12 conversion to Justice Hill and a big pickup by Mark Andrews set up Baltimore across the 50.

  • Isiah Pacheco puts Chiefs up 20-10 with 1-yard touchdown run

    The Chiefs go up by 10 with a 6-play, 81-yard drive, highlighted by a 33-yard Rashee Rice catch-and-run and a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty that set up Pacheco for the 1-yard score. He had 7 rushing touchdowns last year in his second season as Kansas City's lead back.

  • Rashee Rice's big night continues

    5 catches for 80 yards for Rice who just had a big, 33-yard catch to get K.C. moving on the Chiefs' first drive of the second half. Rice was the second leading receiver for the Chiefs last season with 79 catches and 938 yards.

  • Fitting for a 2-time NFL MVP

    Here's the all-time list:

    1. Michael Vick: 6,109 yards

    2. Cam Newton: 5,631 yards

    3. Lamar Jackson: 5,321+ yards

  • About that take about Xavier Worthy

    NBC commentator Rodney Harrison was blunt about his analysis of Chiefs rookie Xavier Worthy.

    In what felt like an "Inside the NBA" moment, his colleagues had fun with the comment at halftime in wake of Worthy scoring a first-half TD.

  • Ravens end first half with field goal, cut lead to 13-10

    After the Mahomes interception, the Ravens were able to get deep in the red zone, but were unable to get a touchdown. Justin Tucker knocked in a 25-yard field goal to cut the Chiefs lead to 3. Kansas City will receive the ball to start the second half.

  • And just as quickly as Kansas City gets the momentum it swings back with an interception

    Patrick Mahomes' first interception of the season comes on a first down after heavy pressure from the Ravens forced a mistake that Roquan Smith was able to make the play on, and the Ravens will go back to work to cut into the Chiefs' lead.

  • Justin Tucker misses!

    After a down year last season from 50+ yards, making just 1 of 5 attempts, Tucker missed from 53 with a chance to cut Kansas City's lead to 3. Now with 1:50 left in the first half and two timeouts, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will have a short field again. The good news for Baltimore is that after an explosive first couple of plays, the Chiefs have been slowed down on offense, managing just 6 points off a red-zone fumble and turnover on downs at midfield.

  • Baltimore penalties have been killing drives all night

    Another illegal formation wipes out a second down gain for the Ravens who've now been flagged 5 times for 40 yards in the first half.

  • Lamar Jackson flashes the wheels

    Jackson with a huge gain to get Baltimore into K.C. territory on a broken play as the Ravens march into Chiefs territory with the clock under 4 minutes to go in the first half.

  • Mahomes magic on display for the first time tonight

    Chiefs pick up a big third-and-12 after Patrick Mahomes escapes a host of defenders to find Travis Kelce to keep the drive alive, and on the play Mahomes passed Len Dawson to move into first place all-time in career passing yards for Kansas City Chiefs.

  • Welcome to the game, Travis Kelce

    Kelce makes his first reception of the game, picking up just one yard to get K.C. to a third-and-7.

  • Kansas City gets great field position again after 4th-down gamble

    After picking up a first down, the Ravens' second drive of the second quarter stalled just short of midfield and John Harbaugh elected to take a gamble. ut Zay Flowers was tackled at the line of scrimmage after a short pass from Lamar Jackson giving Kansas City a short field again. Chiefs take over at their own 49 with 9:39 to go in the first half.

  • Baltimore saves face with 3-and-out, forcing a field-goal attempt

    A Travis Kelce holding penalty derailed the Chiefs having an opportunity for more, but Kansas City was able to pick up a Harrison Butker field goal to take a 10-7 lead with 13:37 to play in the second quarter.

  • First turnover of the game opens the 2nd quarter

    Chris Jones (who else?) gets through the reworked Baltimore offensive line to strip Lamar Jackson and Kansas City takes over at the 14-yard-line in plus territory.

  • Kansas City with a couple of plays before drive stalls

    Opening their second drive with passes to Isaiah Pacheco (23 yards) and Rashee Rice (19 yards), the Chiefs were flying down the field, before stalling at midfield to end the first quarter with a sack of Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City is averaging nearly 9 yards per per play.

  • Ravens punt after just one first down on second drive

    Lamar Jackson competed a first down pass for 15 yards to Isaiah Likely, but that's all Baltimore would get on their second series. While they didn't convert a third down n this drive, they were not flagged for an illegal formation, like they were three times — but were able to overcome — on their first series.

  • Xavier Worthy finds paydirt on his first NFL touch

    After a couple of big catches by Rashee Rice on the Opening Drive, rookie speedster Xavier Worthy took a reverse 21 yards for Kansas City to answer the Ravens opening touchdown, and tie the game at 7-7.

  • Ravens take early lead on Derrick Henry touchdown run

    A power run off right guard gets Baltimore on the board with the first points on the season. Henry's 6-yard touchdown run capped off an 11-play, 70 yard drive that saw Baltimore convert on three 3rd downs and average more and 5.0 yards per rush on the opening series.

  • A third 3rd down conversion has Baltimore inside the redzome

    Jackson kept a read option to pick up a 3rd and short this time, and the Ravens are cooking on offense on the first drive.

  • Zay Flowers gets Baltimore another first down

    The 19-yard pickup by Flowers on a 3rd down — following a penalty — was the second time on this opening drive that Baltimore got a 3rd and long on this first series.

  • Penalties the story of the first drive

    The Ravens have been flagged three times on this opening drive for illegal formation for a tackle lined up too far in the backfield, something the broadcast has cited as a point of emphasis for the officials this year.

  • Ravens opening drive on the move

    After an opening short carry from Derrick Henry and an illegal formation penalty, Lamar Jackson connected with Justice Hill for an 18-yard gain on a 3rd-and-11. Hill has been involved a little more than Henry on the opening series.

  • Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez is in the house in K.C.

    The long-time Royals catcher and 9-time MLB All-Star knows a thing or two about raising a banner, winning World Series MVP honors in 2015 as the Royals took home the franchise's first championship.

  • Patrick Mahomes is on the field

    The future Hall of Fame quarterback was last seen on an NFL field — in a meaningful game — Leading Kansas City to an overtime Super Bowl win over the San Francisco 49ers in February. Now he'll look to be the first quarterback to lead his team to three straight Super Bowl titles.

  • Kickoff pushed back by 20 minutes after weather delay

    We'll have to wait 20 extra minutes for Kickoff as heavy storms brought lightning to the Kansas City area that delayed warmups. Kickoff is now set for 8:40 p.m. ET.

  • Roster notes for the Ravens for tonight's game

  • Chiefs inactives for tonight include wide receiver Hollywood Brown

  • Photos from around Arrowhead Stadium

    Players were sent back to the locker room and fans were cleared from the stands because this was the kind of lightning in the Kansas City area near Arrowhead Stadium.

  • Chiefs have some fun with weather delay

  • Weather affecting Chiefs-Ravens?

    Fans a GEHA Field at Arrowhead stadium have been asked to take shelter in the concourses with storms rolling into the area. Rain is falling that the stadium and there is a delay to warmups.

  • Taylor Swift Arrives at Chiefs-Ravens season opener?

    The biggest pop star in the world has become a fixture at Chiefs games after starting a relationship with All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce last year and she was seen at 13 games last season including at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas. And she's on hand for tonight's season kickoff

    Chiefs' CEO Clark Hunt told NBC's TODAY he wasn't where he'd be sitting tonight but we'd all find out pretty quickly if she is in attendance, saying the TV cameras would find her.

    Even as she sits in the stands, her effect may be felt on the field, with Patrick Mahomes saying she's been interested in drawing up plays for the two-time defending Super Bowl champs.

  • Ravens receivers could be key to another deep Playoff run

    The Baltimore Ravens were the NFL's top rushing team last year and got even deeper in the backfield this offseason, adding Derrick Henry to the backfield. He's led the NFL in carries four of the past five seasons though, so to take the pressure off the 30-year old 4-time Pro Bowler, the receiving options for the Ravens may need to become a strength of this offense if they're going to get back to the AFC championship game.

    Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) works out before an NFL preseason football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Saturday, August 17, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
    Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) works out before an NFL preseason football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Saturday, August 17, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

    Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson spent some time at Ravens camp this summer and says that in addition the Mark Andrews, Baltimore's wide outs are going to be key to this season, even with the focus on the ground game.

    "Coaches think Zay Flowers will take a step forward and there is still belief that Rashod Bateman can finally put his injuries behind him and be a key piece. But as it stands, the plan is for more of the offense to flow through RB Derrick Henry and the the tight ends."

    The Ravens rushed for 262 yards more than any other team in the regular season last year and with Lamar Jackson still running the show the ground game will still be the focus, but after managing just 10 points and 81 yards on the ground in the AFC title game loss to Kansas City, the passing game may need to be more of a threat to get over the hump.

  • Chiefs chowing up in style to kick off the 2024 season