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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Barry Werner

Chiefs survive Ravens’ last-gasp drive in NFL opener

Chiefs Ravens NFL Lamar Jackson Chris Jones Isaiah Likely John Harbaugh Patrick Mahomes Xavier Worthy Baltimore (Organization)

Forget inches. The 2024 NFL opener between the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs came down to centimeters,

Trailing by seven and down to their last play, Lamar Jackson connected with Isaiah Likely in the back of the end zone. The official signaled touchdown.

However, replay quickly — and clearly showed the tip of the tight end’s cleat was on the white and out of the end zone. The Super Bowl champion Chiefs survived the AFC North champs, 27-20, on Thursday at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Chiefs looked like they would have a reasonably easy victory when they led 20-10 after three quarters, allowing Baltimore a touchdown on its first drive of the game and season.

Jackson and Likely combined for a long touchdown pass that brought Baltimore within 20-17.

On the next drive, Patrick Mahomes found rookie speedster Xavier Worthy for a touchdown and the gap was 10 points again.

With less than five minutes left, John Harbaugh had Justin Tucker kick a field goal to make it 27-20.

The Ravens mangled their timeouts in the second half, calling two of them because the defense was unprepared to face Mahomes & Co.

After using a timeout before the two-minute warning, that left Jackson with no timeouts and 87 yards to traverse to get a game-tying touchdown.

They came thisclose.

What is also interesting is John Harbaugh had no intention of playing for a tie if Likely’s catch had stood. The Ravens’ coach was signaling for his offense to stay on the field and to go for a two-point conversion and the win.

It didn’t come to that because Likely’s shoe was one or two sizes too big.

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