In a thrilling Thursday night season opener, the Kansas City Chiefs found themselves leading the Baltimore Ravens 13-10 at halftime, amid a game filled with missed opportunities in the red zone.
The momentum swung in favor of the Ravens late in the second quarter, as the Chiefs had the ball near midfield after Justin Tucker’s missed 53-yard field goal. However, quarterback Patrick Mahomes made a critical mistake, throwing an interception over the middle to linebacker Roquan Smith. The pressure got to Mahomes, causing the errant throw intended for Rashee Rice, who was nowhere near the ball’s landing spot.
Despite the turnover, the Ravens failed to fully capitalize. Quarterback Lamar Jackson managed to get the Ravens down to the Chiefs’ 7-yard line, but back-to-back incomplete passes to Justice Hill forced Baltimore to settle for a 25-yard field goal, bringing them within three points.
Jackson showcased his dual-threat abilities, completing 13 of 18 passes for 105 yards and leading the team with 63 rushing yards. However, he also fell victim to a strip-sack by defensive lineman Chris Jones, resulting in a costly fumble.
In his Ravens debut, Derrick Henry made an impact with eight carries for 33 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown. The receiving corps also contributed, with Zay Flowers tallying five catches for 39 yards and Isaiah Likely adding four receptions for 38 yards.
Before the interception, Mahomes had been impressive, completing 9 of 14 passes for 117 yards. He even set a new franchise record for passing yards, surpassing the legendary Len Dawson.
Xavier Worthy electrified the crowd with a 21-yard touchdown run on Kansas City’s opening drive. However, the team struggled to find success in the running game, with Isiah Pacheco managing just 12 yards on four carries. Tight end Travis Kelce chipped in with a pair of receptions for 24 yards, including a spectacular 23-yard catch on a scramble play by Mahomes.
Baltimore held the edge in first downs, with 12 compared to Kansas City’s eight, and they also led in total yardage, outgaining the Chiefs 204 to 139.
As both teams head into the second half, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to this highly-anticipated matchup between two AFC powerhouses. Stay tuned for more action-packed football as the Ravens and Chiefs battle it out under the Thursday night lights.
