Chiefs' hold off Baltimore to open 2024 NFL season

After losing the AFC Championship game in heartbreak fashion less than eight months ago, the Baltimore Ravens entered a deafening Arrowhead to seek revenge on the Chiefs in the first action of the 2024-25 NFL season.

However, it was the reigning champions who fought off the purple storm to win out 27-20.

Both teams had big movements in terms of their rosters, whether that was losing players or adding new ones from either the draft or free agency. Kansas City acquired some wide receiver depth with Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy, but had lost star cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. On the other side, Baltimore managed to land Derrick Henry in the trade period, but parted ways with safety Geno Stone, who was second in interceptions made last season.

To open the game, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens stormed down the field on the first drive after an array of flags, where former Titan and new back Derrick Henry scored.

The Chiefs then immediately responded through two Rashee Rice receptions before their new speedster Xavier Worthy rushed through the Baltimore defence from twenty-one yards out.

A lost fumble by the reigning MVP gave Kansas City some good field positioning, although they had to settle for just three. The Chiefs added three more after the Ravens failed to convert on 4th and 3.

Justin Tucker missed a long field goal but that was offset with a Patrick Mahomes interception, which was picked off by Roquan Smith.

Baltimore got three before the end of the first half.

It was the home side with a three-point advantage.

Big completions from Rice and Justin Watson set up a Isiah Pacheco touchdown to open the scoring in the third quarter.

Kansas City looked comfortable and in control.

The Ravens answered with some Lamar brilliance, who found Isaiah Likely after scrambling out of the pocket. The back-up tight end got to the endzone for a 49-yard touchdown to keep the game in balance.

Likely finished the night with a career-high yardage of 111.

Mahomes found Worthy wide open on the right side to hit right back, and give the rookie his second TD on the night.

A field goal from Baltimore kept the margin at an even seven with just under five minutes remaining.

Lamar was elite all night, throwing for 273 passing yards and rushing for over 100 on the ground.

And led a drive down to the 11-yard line after connecting with Rashod Bateman where they had a chance to tie the game with a converted touchdown.

After missing Zay Flowers open in the end zone, Jackson thought he found Likely on the next play. However, the third-year player unfortunately had a fraction of his foot outside the box on the last play of the game.

Meaning Kansas City held on to get their title defence underway.

Their next task will be taking on fellow AFC heavyweights, the Cincinnati Bengals, for week two. While the Ravens will reset and head back home to battle with the Las Vegas Raiders for their week two fixture.