The Kansas City Chiefs started their Super Bowl title defense with a bang, edging out the Baltimore Ravens 27-20 in a nail-biting NFL season opener at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday night. 🏈✨
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was on fire, completing 20 of 28 passes for 291 yards. He threw one touchdown and had one interception, keeping the Ravens' defense on their toes all night. 🔥
Rookie sensation Xavier Worthy made a splash in his NFL debut! 🌟 On his very first touch, he zoomed for a 21-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. With a blazing 40-yard dash time of 4.21 seconds at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, he was literally unstoppable! 🏃♂️💨
Running back Isiah Pacheco powered through the Ravens in the third quarter. After a mad scramble near the end zone, Mahomes dove into the fray, helping Pacheco push through for another Chiefs touchdown. Talk about teamwork! 🙌
Kicker Harrison Butker was clutch, nailing two field goals from 32 and 31 yards in the second quarter. He also nailed both extra-point attempts, adding those crucial points. Meanwhile, the Ravens' Justin Tucker hit a 25-yard field goal but missed a challenging 53-yard attempt. 🎯
Baltimore's QB Lamar Jackson showcased his dual-threat skills, completing 26 of 41 passes for 273 yards and rushing for 122 yards. The Ravens struck first with a five-yard powerhouse touchdown from running back Derrick Henry, a new addition to the team this season. 💪
However, Jackson had a couple of rough moments with a fumble at the end of the first quarter and a failed 4th & 3 pass in the second quarter. The Chiefs capitalized on both errors, turning them into points. Ouch! 😬
The Ravens fought back in the fourth quarter with a 49-yard bomb from Jackson to tight end Isaiah Likely, setting up a touchdown to close the gap to just three points (20-17). Game on! 🔥
But the Chiefs weren't about to let up. Xavier Worthy was left wide open on a 2nd & 10 play, and Mahomes found him for a 35-yard touchdown. The rookie's second touchdown of the night extended the Chiefs' lead back to 10 points (27-17). 🚀
Justin Tucker added a 32-yard field goal for the Ravens. With two minutes left, the Ravens shut down the Chiefs and launched a final 11-play, 70-yard drive. It all came down to a pass to Isaiah Likely in the end zone, but his foot landed out of bounds. So close, yet so far! 😫
The Chiefs held on to claim victory in an epic season opener. If this game's any indication, we're in for an exciting season ahead! 🏆
Reference(s):
Chiefs begin Super Bowl defending campaign with close win over Ravens
cgtn.com
