Ravens Fall Short in Last-Second Thriller Against Chiefs in NFL Scores

The Baltimore Ravens stood on the precipice of toppling the Kansas City Chiefs in the much-anticipated 2024 NFL scores kickoff on Thursday, only for a mere fraction of a misstep to alter their fate.

In a dramatic ending, the Chiefs emerged victorious, 27-20, after a replay review nullified what could have been a game-tying Ravens touchdown. Tight end Isaiah Likely’s foot, just grazing the out-of-bounds line, invalidated the last-second score, crushing Baltimore’s hopes for a two-point conversion attempt that could’ve sealed the game. John Harbaugh’s squad was left with no chance to rewrite the script.

The reigning champions, eager to launch a historic bid for a third consecutive Super Bowl title, introduced the NFL world to their promising rookie wideout, Xavier Worthy. The first-round pick from Texas made his presence known after Baltimore’s opening touchdown, capping a Kansas City response with a beautifully executed reverse play, sprinting into the end zone trailed by a sea of red. Worthy would continue to shine, securing a touchdown pass early in the final quarter, extending the lead to 27-17.

The Ravens, however, were kept in contention by Likely’s spectacular individual performance. In a career-defining outing, the tight end racked up nine receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown. His lone score was a display of pure improvisation, with quarterback Lamar Jackson tossing him a contested 50-50 ball. Likely showcased both agility and elusiveness, juking defenders and showcasing why Baltimore plans to unleash multiple two-tight end formations this season.

Jackson, as dynamic as ever with his legs, rushed for an impressive 122 yards on 16 carries, though his aerial production remained tempered. He completed 26 of 41 throws, tallying 273 yards, and averaged 6.7 yards per attempt.

The Ravens found themselves battling the officials as much as their opponents, with emphasis placed on the positioning of their offensive tackles at the line of scrimmage—a focus that haunted them from the opening drive through the waning moments of the game. Baltimore also committed critical mistakes, with two unnecessary hits on Patrick Mahomes as he stepped out of bounds. Still, the penalty count ended with Baltimore narrowly ahead, 7-6.

Derrick Henry, making his debut for the Ravens, managed 46 yards on 13 carries, punctuating his performance with a touchdown. On the other side, Kansas City’s Isiah Pacheco similarly contributed with 45 yards on 15 rushes and a touchdown. Wide receiver Rashee Rice, despite ongoing legal battles following an offseason car accident, contributed seven catches for 103 yards, finding space predominantly on routes over the middle.

In the end, the razor-thin margins between triumph and despair were made manifest in a single step, leaving the Ravens to ponder what could have been.