Ravens' fighting words turn Chiefs rivalry up a notch

The Baltimore Ravens fell to the Kansas City Chiefs 27-20 by a matter of literal inches during the NFL's season opener on Thursday.

Following the loss, both Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely and linebacker Roquan Smith took shots at the Chiefs, which will surely take the teams' rivalry up a notch.

Baltimore's All-Pro pass-rusher called out Kansas City tight end Peyton Hendershot (who wasn't in uniform for Week 1), claiming he shoved him from behind on the sideline after a play was over. Smith added that he didn't know who Hendershot was, only identifying him by his uniform number.

Smith had a big game in the defeat, recording a team-high seven tackles, one interception, one pass defended and one tackle for loss.

Likely, meanwhile, was Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson's favorite target, producing game highs in targets (12), receptions (nine) and receiving yards (111) and adding a touchdown . His reception and receiving yardage totals were also career highs for the third-year pro.

On the final play of the contest, however, Likely was unable to get both of his feet down inbounds as he hauled in a short, would-be touchdown pass from Jackson in the back of the end zone.

The 24-year-old said he wasn't worried about the Thursday night setback and sounded somewhat cocky when discussing the team's chances against the Chiefs if they played in the playoffs again.

The comments from Likely and Smith follow kicker Justin Tucker's viral pregame incident involving Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce ahead of January's AFC Championship Game. Mahomes and Kelce seemingly tossed aside Tucker's equipment during warmups. It occurred near the end zone as the two-time MVP signal-caller attempted to get some practice throws in.

Like Thursday, Baltimore came up short by a touchdown against Kansas City in the postseason tilt, 17-10.