What we learned from Kansas City Chiefs’ dramatic 27-20 win over Baltimore Ravens
The Kansas City Chiefs’ quest for a three-peat began Thursday night with a thrilling win against a top AFC rival.
And it also included an impressive debut for the team’s first-round rookie.
Receiver Xavier Worthy starred in Week 1, rushing for a touchdown and catching another as KC held on for a 27-20 home victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night in the NFL’s kickoff event.
The game came down to the final play.
With 5 seconds left and Baltimore training by seven, quarterback Lamar Jackson appeared to complete a touchdown pass in the back of the end zone to tight end Isaiah Likely.
On further review, however, officials ruled that Likely’s toe landed on the end line while securing the catch, resulting in an incompletion to end the game with no time left.
The Chiefs unfurled their latest banner before kickoff, commemorating last season’s Super Bowl LVIII win over the San Francisco 49ers.
A few minutes later, once the season started, the Chiefs showed some flashes of the offensive explosion they’ve had in years past. Though KC had limited snaps, the Chiefs averaged 7.1 yards per play while gashing the Ravens defense repeatedly on intermediate passes.
Receiver Rashee Rice was the biggest beneficiary, finishing with seven catches for 103 yards.
KC’s defense had consistent pass-rush success against a young Ravens offensive line. Chris Jones spurred that attack, adding a sack and forced fumble on Jackson in the first half.
The Chiefs led 13-10 at the break following a first half filled with big plays and costly mistakes.
More Kansas City Chiefs coverage
News, analysis and storylines from the Chiefs’ season opening win vs. the Baltimore Ravens.
→ 5 things that stood out from the Chiefs' dramatic win
→ Our grades for KC — and player of the game
→ What we learned from the home victory
→ Download our exclusive game-day poster
Worthy had an immediate impact, scoring a 21-yard touchdown on an end-around run while having his path cleared on the right side by rookie left tackle Kingsley Suamataia.
Meanwhile, Rice took advantage of the defense having to respect Worthy’s speed on intermediate routes. Rice had four catches for 47 yards at the break, helping the Chiefs to an efficient start between the 20s.
KC stalled twice in the red zone, though, while not helped by drops from tight end Travis Kelce, running back Isiah Pacheco and a lost contested-catch attempt by JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Just before the half ended, Mahomes also made a big gaffe, tossing an interception to Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith with no receiver in the area.
The Chiefs defense stood strong with three third-down stops of their own, limiting the second-quarter damage to a Justin Tucker field goal with 3 seconds left in the half.
Mahomes set a new franchise record for career passing yards in the contest, moving past Len Dawson’s previous record of 28,507 passing yards in 183 games.
The Chiefs play host to the Cincinnati Bengals at 3:25 p.m. Central on Sunday, Sept. 15.
