Chiefs hold off Ravens 27-20 when review overturns a tying TD on final play of NFL’s season opener

Patrick Mahomes threw for 291 yards and a touchdown, and the Kansas City defense kept Lamar Jackson and the Ravens out of the end zone on three consecutive plays in the closing seconds, allowing the Chiefs to begin their pursuit of a third straight Super Bowl title with a 27-20 victory over Baltimore on Thursday night.

Ravens Chiefs Football Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, left, catches a pass out of bounds as Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) and linebacker Drue Tranquill (23) defend as time time expires in the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 27-20. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

**Ravens Chiefs Football** Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes drops back to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

**Ravens Chiefs Football** Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) scrambles as Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton (98) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

**Ravens Chiefs Football** Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker celebrates after making a 31-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

**Ravens Chiefs Football** A fan is seen before the start of an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

**Ravens Chiefs Football** Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is unable to catch a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

**Ravens Chiefs Football** Taylor Swift cheers in a suite during the first half of an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

**Ravens Chiefs Football** Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker (9) makes a 25-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

**Ravens Chiefs Football** Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

**Ravens Chiefs Football** Kansas City Chiefs’ Chamarri Conner, right, reacts to a missed field goal attempt by Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker (9) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

**Ravens Chiefs Football** Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith, left, intercepts a pass as Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice defends during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

**Ravens Chiefs Football** Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker (9) is congratulated by teammate Jordan Stout after making a 25-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

**Ravens Chiefs Football** Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

**Ravens Chiefs Football** Taylor Swift applauds as she watches from a suite during the first half of an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

**Ravens Chiefs Football** Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker (7) makes a 32-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes threw for 291 yards and a touchdown, and the Kansas City defense kept Lamar Jackson and the Ravens out of the end zone on three consecutive plays in the closing seconds, allowing the Chiefs to begin their pursuit of a third straight Super Bowl title with a 27-20 victory over Baltimore on Thursday night.

The game ended with a video review after Jackson appeared to connect with Isaiah Likely in the back of the end zone with no time remaining for a touchdown. The video clearly showed Likely’s toe landing on the endline, though, and the call was overturned, sending the Chiefs streaming off the bench in celebration.

Xavier Worthy had touchdowns rushing and receiving, and Isiah Pacheco also had a TD run for the Chiefs, helping them not only win a rematch of last season’s AFC title game but beat the Ravens for the fifth time in their last six meetings.

That lopsided ledger has been especially frustrating for Jackson, who has called Kansas City their Ravens’ “kryptonite.” He was sublime on Thursday night, throwing for 273 yards and a touchdown while adding 122 yards on the ground, but a video review of the final play of the game left him to rue another missed chance to finally upstage Mahomes and Co.

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