Chiefs Outlast Ravens in Season Opener: Mahomes and Rookie Worthy Lead the Charge

The Kansas City Chiefs opened their 2024 season in thrilling fashion, securing a 27-20 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in what proved to be another tough night for the Ravens against their AFC rival. Despite a dramatic final drive from Baltimore, the Chiefs’ defense held firm, continuing their dominance over Lamar Jackson’s Ravens.

The game’s decisive moment came when Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely appeared to score a last-second touchdown, only for replay review to reveal that his toe was out of bounds, erasing the potential game-tying score. With that, the Chiefs emerged victorious, reaffirming their status as top contenders for a rare three-peat championship run.

Leading the charge for Kansas City was quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who continues to solidify his place among the NFL’s elite, alongside an impressive performance from rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who had two touchdowns on the night.

Rookie Xavier Worthy’s Instant Impact

Xavier Worthy wasted no time making his presence felt in his NFL debut. Drafted to inject big-play potential into Kansas City’s offense, the rookie wideout delivered in a big way with two explosive touchdowns.

Worthy showed his versatility right from the start, scoring on a 21-yard run during his first NFL touch. Later in the fourth quarter, he caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes, capping off an unforgettable debut. While Worthy won’t necessarily find the end zone twice every game, Thursday night provided a glimpse of the kind of impact he’s capable of delivering throughout the season.

The Chiefs’ receiver corps is looking formidable with Worthy alongside Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown. Although Brown missed the game due to a shoulder injury, he’s expected to return soon, adding even more firepower to this potent offense.

Mahomes Continues to Dominate

Patrick Mahomes added another milestone to his already illustrious career, passing Len Dawson to become the Chiefs’ all-time leading passer. Mahomes completed 20 of 28 passes for 291 yards, showcasing his typical combination of accuracy and poise. While a late first-half interception briefly gave Baltimore life, Mahomes rebounded and led Kansas City to victory.

His connection with Rashee Rice was particularly strong, as Rice caught seven passes for 103 yards, including 72 yards after the catch. Mahomes consistently found him in stride, helping the Chiefs keep the chains moving against a Ravens defense that struggled to contain the dynamic offense.

Lamar Jackson Falls Short Again

Lamar Jackson once again found himself on the losing end against Mahomes, dropping to 1-5 in career matchups between the two quarterbacks. Despite Jackson’s efforts, including a 200-yard passing and 100-yard rushing performance, the Ravens couldn’t capitalize when it mattered most.

The most frustrating part of Jackson’s night came in the red zone. On the final drive, Jackson missed a wide-open Zay Flowers for a potential touchdown and later thought he had thrown a game-tying touchdown to Isaiah Likely, only for the play to be overturned due to Likely stepping out of bounds. Jackson also struggled in the first half, going just 1-of-4 for 9 yards in the red zone, and a costly fumble at the Ravens’ 13-yard line set up a Chiefs field goal.

Jackson now boasts an impressive 60-19 record against the rest of the league, but when it comes to Mahomes and the Chiefs, his struggles continue.

Chiefs Defense Keeps Mark Andrews Quiet

One of the keys to Kansas City’s defensive success was their ability to limit Ravens’ star tight end Mark Andrews. Andrews, who has been Jackson’s go-to target, was held to just two catches for 14 yards. It wasn’t until five minutes into the second half that Andrews even recorded his first reception.

In their six career matchups, the Chiefs have consistently shut down Andrews, and Thursday night was no different. This continued trend leaves Baltimore searching for answers when it comes to involving their tight end in games against Kansas City.

Lamar Jackson’s Record-Breaking Night

Despite the loss, Jackson made history by surpassing Russell Wilson for third place on the all-time rushing list for quarterbacks. Jackson’s 122 rushing yards brought his career total to 4,964, trailing only Michael Vick (6,109) and Cam Newton (5,628). Notably, Jackson has reached this milestone in just 87 career games, while both Vick and Newton played over 140 games in their careers.

What’s Next for the Chiefs and Ravens?

For Kansas City, their victory in the opener sets the tone for what could be another championship-caliber season. The Chiefs will face a tough test next in a Week 2 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, where Mahomes will go head-to-head with another AFC rival in Joe Burrow.

Meanwhile, the Ravens must regroup and prepare for their next challenge as they host the Las Vegas Raiders. While Thursday’s loss was a tough pill to swallow, the Ravens will look to build off Jackson’s strong individual performance as they attempt to get their season back on track.

The Chiefs’ 27-20 win over Baltimore further cemented their place among the NFL’s elite, with Mahomes and Worthy delivering stellar performances. For the Ravens, it was another frustrating reminder of how difficult it is to beat Kansas City, especially with Mahomes at the helm. While it’s only Week 1, this game could have long-term implications for both teams as they chase playoff success later in the season.