The NFL’s 105th season kicked off in spectacular style as the Kansas City Chiefs opened their campaign for a historic Super Bowl three-peat with a nail-biting 27-20 victory over the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium.
In front of a roaring home crowd — which included Taylor Swift — the Chiefs unveiled their Super Bowl banner before delivering a dramatic performance that came down to the final play. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes made history by surpassing Len Dawson to become the franchise leader in passing yards, while rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy made a dazzling debut with both a rushing and receiving touchdown.
This high-stakes rematch of last season’s AFC Championship game pitted Super Bowl LVIII MVP Mahomes against reigning league MVP Lamar Jackson. Kansas City dominated the first half, taking a 13-10 lead into the break and extending it to 20-10 by the third quarter.
Baltimore, however, surged back in the final quarter, with Jackson connecting on a 49-yard pass to tight end Isaiah Likely, narrowing the score to 20-17. But Mahomes, in his signature style, responded quickly, finding Worthy for a 35-yard touchdown to push the lead back to 27-17. Worthy had earlier impressed with a 21-yard sprint to the end zone on an end-around play — his very first NFL touch.
The most dramatic moment came with under three minutes left in the game. Mahomes, trying to maintain the Chiefs’ lead, saw his third-down pass deflected by Ravens linebacker Trenton Simpson. In a remarkable play, Mahomes managed to catch the deflection himself, avoiding a costly turnover. Although the Chiefs were forced to punt, Baltimore had one last chance.
With no timeouts, Jackson orchestrated a quick drive, including a 38-yard pass to Rashod Bateman, setting up a first-and-goal with just seconds remaining. Two incomplete passes brought the Ravens to third-and-goal with five seconds left. On the game’s final play, Jackson threw to Likely in the back of the end zone for what appeared to be a touchdown, potentially tying the game.
However, after review, it was ruled that Likely had a toe out of bounds, sealing Kansas City’s victory by the slimmest of margins.
“It was nerve-wracking,” Mahomes told NBC. “It really is a game of inches. That’s a great football team, and starting the season with a win at Arrowhead feels amazing.”
Mahomes’ record-breaking night came on a play that showcased his ability to improvise under pressure. Midway through the second quarter, on third-and-12, he scrambled and found his trusted target, tight end Travis Kelce, for a 23-yard completion. Mahomes finished the night completing 20-of-28 passes for 291 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Jackson completed 26-of-41 passes for 273 yards and one touchdown, but the near-miss at the end left him disappointed. “I thought it was a touchdown. I still think it was,” he said of the final play.
The game’s kickoff was delayed by 20 minutes due to a thunderstorm over Arrowhead Stadium, with fans instructed to seek shelter and players briefly clearing the field. Once the storm passed, a rainbow appeared, signaling that the NFL season was ready to begin — in thrilling fashion.
FAQs:
1. How did the Kansas City Chiefs win against the Baltimore Ravens? The Kansas City Chiefs secured a 27-20 victory over the Ravens, with Patrick Mahomes breaking the franchise passing yards record and rookie Xavier Worthy scoring two touchdowns.
2. Did Patrick Mahomes break any records during the NFL season opener? Yes, Patrick Mahomes broke the Kansas City Chiefs’ all-time passing yards record, surpassing Len Dawson.
3. What was the most critical play in the Chiefs vs. Ravens game? The game-deciding moment came in the final seconds when Lamar Jackson’s pass to Isaiah Likely in the end zone was ruled incomplete due to Likely stepping out of bounds.
4. How did rookie Xavier Worthy perform in his debut? Xavier Worthy had an outstanding debut, scoring both a rushing and a receiving touchdown, including a 35-yard catch from Mahomes.
5. Why was the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens game delayed? A thunderstorm delayed the season opener by 20 minutes, forcing fans and players to take shelter. The game resumed after the storm passed.
