The Baltimore Ravens traveled to Kansas City on Thursday night to kickoff the 2024 regular season against the defending Super Bowl Champion Chiefs. The Ravens were looking to avenge their loss in the AFC title game to the Chiefs last January, and early on it looked like they would do just that.
Despite several illegal formation penalties, something the league wanted to put emphasis on this year, the Ravens still managed an 11-play 70-yard scoring drive capped off by a Derrick Henry five-yard run to take an early 7-0 lead.
But as the Chiefs do they would respond on their opening drive with a score of their own. Rookie speedster Xavier Worthy would take a jet sweep, his first NFL touch, 21-yards to the end zone to tie the game at seven.
Ravens utility offensive lineman Patrick Mekari got the start at right tackle over rookie Roger Rosengarten. On the first play of the second quarter Rosengarten would sub in for Mekari and on his first play would allow a strip sack on Jackson which would be recovered by the Chiefs in Ravens territory.
The Ravens defense would hold up strong and force a Harrison Butker 32-yard field goal to give the Chiefs a 10-7 lead.
A failed fourth down conversion by the Ravens on their next drive would again set up the Chiefs with good field position near mid field. But once again the Ravens defense stepped up again forcing another Butker field goal this time from 31-yards to extend the Chiefs lead 13-7.
With 5:44 to play in the opening half the Ravens offense was in need of some points as they had failed to move the ball well outside of their opening drive. The Ravens would start the their own 30-yard line, but would manage to get to the Chiefs 35-yard line in eight plays. An incompletion from Jackson to Bateman on third down would force a Justin Tucker 53-yard field goal attempt. Tucker who struggled last year from beyond 50-yards, continued his struggles as he missed just wide left to keep the game 13-7 Chiefs with 1:50 to play before halftime.
With the momentum clearly tipping in the Chiefs favor the Ravens would need a key play to turn the tide, and they got exactly that on the first play of the Chiefs next drive.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes dropped back looking for his receiver Rashee Rice but instead found Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith for the interception. This time the Ravens would capitalize and get their first point since the beginning of the game as Tucker would connect from 25-yards out to cut the Chiefs lead 13-10 heading into the half.
The intensity from both teams picked up in the second half, as the Chiefs just like the did in the first half would score on their first drive of the second half as running back Isiah Pacheco would cap off a six-play 81-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run.
The Ravens would punt on their opening possession of the second half, but would get the ball back with just under four minutes to play in the third quarter after the Ravens defense forced a punt of their own.
With the Ravens trailing by 10 a touchdown felt needed on the Ravens next offensive drive to keep pace with this high powered Chiefs offense. Jackson would find his tight end Isaiah Likely Likely for a 49-yard catch and run with Likely showing off some impressive moves to get to the end zone once again cutting the Chiefs lead to just three early in the fourth quarter.
But needing a stop the Ravens defense would have a busted coverage as Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey thought he had safety help over the top leaving Worthy open for a 35-yard touchdown reception, his second touchdown on the night.
The Ravens would answer back with a Justin Tucker 32-yard field goal, making the score 27-20 Chiefs with 4:54 left to play.
The Chiefs would be forced to punt on their next drive after using up just over three minutes of game time, but with just 1:50 left to play in the game the Ravens needed to go 87 yards to give themselves a chance to either tie or win the game with a two-point conversion.
The Ravens methodically moved down the field headlined by Isaiah Likely. A 38-yard reception by wide receiver Rashod Bateman would set the Ravens up at the Chiefs 10-yard line with 18 seconds to play. The Ravens had several opportunities to score as on the following play Jackson missed Likely in the back of the end zone on a high throw, followed by missing a wide open Zay Flowers in the middle of the end zone. The Ravens had just one shot with five seconds left in the game. Jackson dropped back scrambled around in the pocket before finding a leaping Likely in the back of the end zone. However, initially ruled a touchdown, the play would be reviewed and ultimately overturned as Likely had the front part of his foot on the white out of bounds line. Thus giving the Chiefs a narrow 27-20 victory and sending the Ravens back to Baltimore with a 0-1 record.
While the game ended in a loss their was a lot of positives to take away from Thursday night, such as the offenses ability to move the ball in the second half as well as the emergence of tight end Isaiah Likely, who had nine catches for 111 yards, and a touchdown, are all promising as this team continues to gel as the season moves along. Quarterback Lamar Jackson has an efficient night going 26-for-41 for 273 yards and the one passing touchdown. It will be interesting to see how Jackson and Henry, who had 13 carries for 46 yards, and a score, continue to grow together as the season progresses.
On the negative side the offensive line struggles throughout the night failing to get consistent pushes to create more space for running back Derrick Henry, and give Jackson more time in the pocket. Despite giving up just one sack, which also happened to be a fumble, it is a bit misleading with Jackson being able to scramble and make plays. Another glaring issue was the linebacker play especially in pass coverage. The Chiefs took advantage of Malik Harrison and Roquan Smith in passing situations, especially against Rashee Rice who finished the night with seven catches for 103 yards. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr will need to make some adjustments moving forward to stop what for now could be an issue for this defense.
The Ravens will now have nine days to recover before they welcome the Las Vegas Raiders to Baltimore in week two for the Ravens home opener.
Notable Injuries:
Kyle Van Noy (Fractured Orbital Bone)- TBD
Games Notes:
Linebacker Roquan Smith led all Ravens with seven total tackles.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson led all rushers with 122 yards on the ground.
Running back Derrick Henry recorded his 91st career rushing touchdown.
Thursday nights loss was just the second week one loss for the Ravens since 2018.
Outside linebacker David Ojabo recorded his third career sack in just his sixth career game.
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