Chiefs Beat Ravens on Final Play, Isaiah Likely Called Out of Bounds on TD Pass

One down, lots more to go. The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Baltimore Ravens 27-20 on the NFL's opening night of the 2024 regular season on Thursday Night Football at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. It's just step one of their quest for an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tossed for 291 yards and one touchdown and one interception while his counterpart Lamar Jackson threw for 273 yards with one score. Jackson also carried the ball 16 times for 122 yards - his 14th career 100-yard rushing game.

After leading 13-10 at the half, the Chiefs took the opening drive of the third frame and took the ball 81 yards in six plays as Kansas City running back Isiah Pacheco scored on a one-yard run for a 20-10 lead over the Ravens.

The third quarter was largely uneventful for both teams after the Chiefs' score. But on the first play of the fourth quarter, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson found tight end Isaiah Likely on the right sideline and he dodged the sideline and Chiefs tacklers for 49 yards and a touchdown that narrowed the Chiefs' lead to 20-17.

The Chiefs answered the Ravens' touchdown just eight plays later when Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes found receiver Xavier Worthy wide open down the right sideline for a 35-yard touchdown as Kansas City reclaimed its 10-point lead at 27-17.

The Kansas City defense held the Ravens to a field goal attempt just under the 5-minute mark of the fourth quarter and Tucker hit from 32 yards to narrow the Chiefs' lead to 27-10.

Related: Chiefs vs. Ravens: How to Watch, Betting Odds

The Ravens got the ball back with 1:50 left in the game at their own 13-yard line and no timeouts with a chance to tie the game with a touchdown drive.

Jackson connected with receiver Rashod Bateman for a 38-yard pass to the Chiefs 10-yard line with 43 seconds left on the clock. Two plays later Jackson missed a wide open Zay Flowers in the back of the end zone that drained the clock to five seconds.

On the final play of regulation, Jackson hit Likely in the back of the end zone for what was originally called a touchdown, but a review showed Likely's toe was on the back line for an incomplete pass.

Interestingly, the Ravens were lining up for a potentially game-winning two-point conversion that never way.

Next up, the Chiefs host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at 3:25 p.m.