Kansas City defeats Baltimore 27-20 in NFL season opener

Ravens coach John Harbaugh didn’t have any beef with the heartbreaking, toe-length name that went towards his staff on Thursday evening’s closing play.

Harbaugh mentioned he informed tight finish Isaiah Seemingly to not be down on himself for placing his toe an inch too far, nullifying a attainable tying or profitable TD.

“I believed Isiah performed a terrific soccer sport I used to be pleased with him and lot of others guys too,” Harbaugh informed reporters.

There are 16 video games nonetheless to go and Patrick Mahomes is already interested by the playoffs.

The Chiefs QB acknowledged that Thursday evening’s victory over a possible postseason foe might matter in January.

“That’s a staff that’s going to be within the playoffs,” he informed NBC Sports activities instantly after the Chiefs’ thrilling 27-20 win over Baltimore. “I do know it’s a great distance away however that (win) could possibly be house area benefit.”

Lamar Jackson discovered Isaiah Seemingly for what appeared like a possible tying or profitable landing. However Seemingly’s toe was out of bounds, ending the sport in a 27-20 Chiefs win.

The Ravens protection got here up with an enormous cease, giving Lamar Jackson the ball again after the two-minute warning and an opportunity to tie or take the lead.

Baltimore received a key third down cease, tipping a Patrick Mahomes cross — that he truly ended up catching himself — to stop a conversion that might have successfully ended the sport.

What’s most fascinating to consider here’s what the Ravens will do in the event that they rating a landing. John Harbaugh is likely one of the most aggressive coaches within the league and really appears to understand his analytics workers. Baltimore might go for 2 and attempt to take the lead if it scores a landing.

Contemplating all of the unbelievable game-winning drives we’ve seen Mahomes lead through the years, I’ll be shocked if the Ravens don’t attempt to take the lead. In the event that they rating, that’s.

Baltimore will drive a Kansas Metropolis punt and get the ball again with an opportunity to tie it.

The Ravens will possible should go 80 or extra yards for a possible tying rating.

For our fantasy soccer gamers: Ravens tight finish Isaiah Seemingly has obtained the second-most targets of any Baltimore receiver thus far tonight.

Although tight finish Mark Andrews has traditionally been Lamar Jackson’s safety blanket within the passing sport, Seemingly has been the go-to man Thursday evening. Late within the fourth, Seemingly was out-targeting Andrews seven to 2.

Seemingly got here on late final season after an ankle harm to Andrews. The 2 have performed collectively usually Thursday, however Seemingly has been the favored receiver.

Justin Tucker’s 32-yard area aim introduced the Ravens a little bit nearer as they path the Chiefs 20-17 with just below 5 minutes left.

Going through fourth-and-4 from the Okay.C. 14-yard line , the Ravens opted to take 3 factors now and financial institution on getting the ball again for a tying 7.

The Chiefs are wanting like geniuses for grabbing receiver Xavier Worthy within the first spherical of April’s draft.

Worthy has two touchdowns in his first NFL common season sport — one on the bottom and one through the air.

Kansas Metropolis successfully swapped a third-round decide for a fourth-round one with the Payments to maneuver up and take Worthy within the first. He’s already added one other explosive ingredient to the Chiefs’ offense — and Buffalo could come to remorse permitting one among its AFC rivals so as to add such a dynamic participant.

Taylor Swift was again within the field at Arrowhead Stadium tonight, sipping what seemed to be a vodka cran and hanging with Donna and Ed Kelce as they watched the Tremendous Bowl Champion Chiefs.A collection of video clips appeared to indicate Swift interacting with followers on the opposite facet of the glass and even carrying a friendship bracelet to go along with her denim set and pink boots.She was caught cheesing and cheering at what is unquestionably not her final NFL look of the season.

Patrick Mahomes hit Xavier Worthy for a 35-yards landing, profiting from an inexplicable blown protection by the Ravens.

Worthy couldn’t have been extra open down the sideline because the Chiefs prolonged their result in 27-17 with 10:25 left in regulation.

Lamar Jackson someway evaded a fierce Kansas Metropolis cross rush and located Isaiah Seemingly for an unlikely 49-yard landing toss, slicing the Chiefs result in 20-17.

Had the Ravens failed to attain on that drive, they might have been trailing by two scores with time towards them.

With quarter-hour left, the Ravens are in determined want for factors on this drive.

If Baltimore fails to get on the scoreboard, it’ll be a troublesome process to get ball again twice, rating every time and shutout Kansas Metropolis alongside the best way.

Rashee Rice appears to be like to be Patrick Mahomes’s favourite receiver thus far.

The second-year participant is off to a scorching begin in Kansas Metropolis’s season opener, catching six passes for 98 yards (on eight targets) by means of almost three quarters, serving to the Chiefs get out to a 20-10 lead over the Ravens.

Baltimore is having hassle overlaying Rice within the slot, as he’s routinely getting open on slant routes over the center of the sphere.

Rice caught 79 passes for 938 yards and 7 touchdowns throughout his rookie season. With Marquez Valdes-Scantling gone and fellow receiver Xavier Worthy solely a rookie, Rice is profiting from among the further alternative.

Rice is taking part in regardless of dealing with an assault cost stemming from a high-speed hit and run in the course of the offseason. The NFL is ready for his authorized scenario to play out earlier than deciding on self-discipline, a course of that would carry over into December.

Swift received her second within the highlight halfway by means of the third quarter, when the NBC broadcast highlighted Kelce’s look on stage along with her throughout “I Can Do It With A Damaged Coronary heart” on the Eras Tour this summer time.

As if he knew his beloved was simply being broadcast to thousands and thousands, Kelce promptly accomplished a primary down mere seconds after the small Swift phase aired.

The monetary footprint of fantasy sports activities is about $13 billion and counting. NBC Information’ Sam Brock speaks with gamers and native companies about fantasy soccer’s reputation.

Isiah Pacheco powered his method in from 1 yard out, as Kansas Metropolis prolonged its result in 20-10 early within the third quarter.

The Chiefs had been backed as much as first-and-20 on the Ravens 28 earlier than Nnamdi Madubuike was flagged for roughing the passer, giving Kansas Metropolis a key first down.

Kansas Metropolis will obtain the ball to start out the second half, with an opportunity to take a two-score lead.

Baltimore leads in first downs, 12-8, and whole yards, 204-139. Every staff has turned it over as soon as.

Justin Tucker’s 25-yard area aim reduce Kansas Metropolis lead’s to 13-10 within the dying moments of the second quarter.

Patrick Mahomes, throwing off his again foot, was intercepted by Roquan Smith and the Ravens have it again close to midfield with 1:45 left within the half.

Baltimore kicker Justin Tucker narrowly missed from 53 yards, huge left, leaving Kansas Metropolis with one other brief area.

The Chiefs can have almost two minutes to attain from their very own 43-yard line, already main 13-7.

One way or the other Patrick Mahomes was not the Chiefs’ all-time chief in passing yards earlier than tonight. That’s now not true after this second-quarter cross.

Patrick Mahomes has 4 incompletions thus far — and three of them have been drops by his receivers.

This was a difficulty for Kansas Metropolis final season. (It’s possible you’ll bear in mind Marquez Valdes-Scantling dropping a possible game-winning landing vs. the Eagles on Sunday Evening Soccer final yr.) Rashee Rice, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Travis Kelce have all had drops within the first half tonight.

These drops typically really feel like the one factor that may maintain Mahomes again. The Chiefs have tried addressing the receiver place this yr, including Xavier Worthy within the first spherical to deliver a brand new ingredient to the group.

The most recent drop — by Kelce — helped Baltimore maintain Kansas Metropolis to a area aim after a turnover on downs. That might show to be expensive transferring ahead.

Harrison Butker linked from 31 yards out to provide Kansas Metropolis a 13-7 lead halfway by means of the second quarter, but it surely’s the Ravens who’re grinning just like the satan.

Baltimore gave up two brief fields to Kansas Metropolis on consecutive possessions however stopped the Chiefs wanting the top zone each occasions.

Travis Kelce made an enormous third-down catch on this newest drive however he let one undergo his fingers on second-and-5 on the Ravens’ 13-yard line.

One face has been comparatively absent from NBC’s broadcast of the Chiefs-Ravens sport: Swift’s.

Final season, she angered NFL followers by how usually the cameras panned to her celebrating from the field above the sphere (a call she had no management over) however thus far this sport, the cameras have been staying farther away from Swift than they’ve previously.

At any time when she is proven on display screen, although, she seems to be following and cheering alongside.

Swift additionally did not deliver any of her ultra-famous followers to this sport, like she has previously. Probably the most well-known face subsequent to her within the field? Travis Kelce’s dad.

Travis Kelce made his first two catches of the season on this drive, a modest 1-yard pickup after which an enormous 23-yard seize on third down.

Patrick Mahomes prevented a number of cross rushers earlier than discovering his favourite goal on third-and-12.

Trent McDuffie stopped Zay Flowers on fourth-and-3 at midfield, establishing Kansas Metropolis in nice area place.

Lamar Jackson’s brief cross to Flowers was doomed from the beginning, as McDuffie learn the play nicely and made the possession-turning play.

The brand new kickoffs are wanting so much like those thus far, this younger season.

The novel new kickoff guidelines have but to yield a return after 4 boots of this season-opening sport.

The Ravens are those smiling after Harrison Butker linked on a 32-yard area aim within the second quarter.

After a Lamar Jackson fumble gave Kansas Metropolis a primary down on the Ravens’ 14-yard line, surrendering a area aim was a win for Baltimore.

Discovering an answer to the Chris Jones downside is simpler mentioned than completed, however the Ravens have to give you one thing fast.

Jones simply strip sacked Lamar Jackson, resulting in a Kansas Metropolis restoration on Baltimore’s final drive.

Kansas Metropolis compelled the primary large turnover of the sport as Chris Jones sacked Lamar Jackson, forcing the fumble recovered by Felix Anudike-Uzomah on the Chiefs’ 14-yard line.

The Ravens might need to get Jackson out the pocket to keep away from that strain.

The primary quarter got here to an finish with the rating tied 7-7 and massive clean area for Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce.

He didn’t have any catches or targets within the first quarter-hour of play, as his girlfriend Taylor Swift cheered him on from up within the luxurious bleachers.

Kansas Metropolis lastly stopped Baltimore on third down and received off the sphere.

The Ravens had transformed their first three third downs earlier than Lamar Jackson’s cross to Justice Hill gained only one yard on third-and-6.

Justin Reid made the cease for Kansas Metropolis, forcing the punt.

The Chiefs rookie receiver, who scored their opening landing, was Kansas Metropolis’s first-round select of Texas in April, and he ought to have loads of alternatives to contribute this season.

The Chiefs’ huge receiver room is a little bit of a combined bag, and Worthy brings explosiveness: He ran the quickest time ever within the 40-yard sprint on the NFL mix, posting an absurd 4.21.

That response did not take lengthy.

It took simply 5 performs for rookie WR Xavier Worthy to return round the proper finish for 21 yards and the tying rating.

Ravens left sort out Ronnie Stanley was flagged 3 times for a similar infraction. In keeping with the NFL rulebook, seven gamers should be on the road of scrimmage earlier than the snap.

For offensive tackles, that usually means they should have their helmet be on the waist of the middle earlier than the snap. Stanley, like many offensive tackles do, was taking an additional step again to provide himself a bonus towards opposing cross rushers.

Derrick Henry punched it in from 5 yards out and Baltimore jumped on prime, 7-0 early within the first quarter.

Baltimore transformed two third-and-long performs to maintain this drive rolling.

Lamar Jackson hit Henry for 18 yards on third-and-11 after which linked with Zay Flowers for 19 yards on third-and-9.

After 207 and an additional 20 minutes, the Ravens have obtained the opening kickoff from the Chiefs and the 2024 NFL season is lastly underway!

That is the primary common season kickoff beneath the brand new guidelines, and however we didn’t see a return. Now let’s see what Baltimore can do on offense.

Followers on the Ravens-Chiefs sport noticed a second of silence for Lisa Lopez-Galvan, the fan killed on the staff’s Tremendous Bowl celebration.

Lopez-Galvan was the co-host of “A Style of Tejano,” a celebration of Tejano, or “Tex-Mex,” music, on a weekly radio present on native station KKFI 90.1

The DJ performed native weddings and promoted charity fundraisers.

Kansas Metropolis is the favourite (+500) to win the Tremendous Bowl for a 3rd straight season. Of all Tremendous Bowl futures tickets, 17% are on the Chiefs.

Baltimore (+1000) is the fourth favourite with 9% of all futures tickets on the Ravens.

The primary sport of the NFL season will start at 8:40 p.m. ET after a brief delay for inclement climate.

The Philadelphia Eagles and Inexperienced Bay Packers open their season Friday evening in  São Paulo with hundreds Birds backers and Cheeseheads fortunately winging it south.

However not everyone seems to be blissful about this particular sport, significantly Philadelphians who’re being denied weeks of conventional Sunday afternoon soccer.

This Brazilian occasion counts as a house sport for Philadelphia so Iggles followers will solely get eight (and never 9) dates at Lincoln Monetary Discipline.

The Eagles actual house opener is a “Monday Evening Soccer” contest on Sept. 16 and their first Sunday afternoon at The Linc will not come till Oct. 13, a lot to the chagrin of Iggles followers who punch a 9-to-5, Monday-through-Friday clock.

“In the event you’re a season ticket holder with a tailgating routine and desire for Autumn climate, this schedule straight up blows for you. I’m sorry,” because the Phialdelphia sports activities fan web site Crossing Broad politely put it.

Normal kickoffs will proceed to start out on the 35-yard line however the remainder of the set-up appears to be like fairly completely different, involving an space known as the “touchdown zone” between the receiving staff’s finish zone and 20-yard line. You might need seen this zone highlighted by a rectangle in preseason broadcasts.

Right here’s what the kickoff setup now appears to be like like:

The ten gamers on the kicking staff will line up on the receiving staff’s 40-yard line and can’t transfer till the ball hits a participant or the bottom within the touchdown zone or the top zone.

Present extra

Swift is sporting a denim corset and denim shorts set paired with thigh-high pink boots at tonight’s sport in Kansas Metropolis, however she did not look like carrying any new — and distinctive — Chiefs gear to tonight’s sport.

Final season, she made a behavior of carrying some one-of-a-kind designs in Chiefs pink and gold. She’ll have loads of alternatives to interrupt out some new trend later this season.

The Chiefs and Ravens are again on the sphere to heat up, with kickoff pushed again to eight:40 p.m.

Metro Kansas Metropolis hopes to be rid of rain that poured down on the area by means of the late afternoon and early night.

What began as a lightweight bathe round 6:15 p.m. CT turned to heavy storms by 6:30 — with lower than an hour earlier than the scheduled kickoff at 7:20 p.m. CT.

Lightning strikes had been seen from the stadium, with loud thunder claps sounding seconds after.

Press initially huddled in a tunnel onto the sphere have needed to slowly retreat from the doorway, because the rain pelts sideways.

It was not instantly clear if the sport begin time can be delayed because of the climate. Warmups have been interrupted and the gamers have returned to their sidelines and locker rooms to attend out the storm.

Baltimore Ravens followers on the Reckless Shepherd Brewing Firm and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs followers at Union Station are getting fired as much as kick off the NFL season.

WBAL’s Jennifer Franciotti and KSHB’s Lindsay Shively be part of “TODAY” reside from the pep rallies.

Probably the most anticipated query surrounding the primary NFL sport of the season has lastly been answered: Taylor Swift has made it to Arrowhead stadium.

Swift is on a break from her marathon Eras Tour, which picks again up within the States subsequent month, giving her just a few possibilities to cheer on boyfriend Travis Kelce as he and the Chiefs kick off soccer season.

Video through Rob Collins of FOX4 Kansas Metropolis.

Soccer is again, and it’s anticipated to deliver with it record-breaking betting.

U.S. adults will wager $35 billion this NFL season, in line with projections from the American Gaming Affiliation.

That will mark greater than 30% progress over the $26.7 billion People wagered over the course of final yr’s season of the Nationwide Soccer League, in line with the AGA, and would set a recent document. Since final NFL season, Maine, North Carolina and Vermont have allowed sports activities betting operators to launch of their states. And courtroom selections have permitted Onerous Rock Worldwide to relaunch sports activities betting in Florida.

At the moment, sports activities betting is reside and authorized in 38 states and Washington, D.C.

Learn the complete article right here

A pair fascinating stats that could be of specific curiosity to sports activities bettors:

• Mahomes is 3-1 vs. Baltimore straight up & towards the unfold since 2019
• Baltimore has not gained in Kansas Metropolis since Oct. 7 2012
• Baltimore is 1-5 straight up vs. Kansas Metropolis since 2015
• Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce has recorded 73+ receiving yads in every of his final six video games vs. Baltimore.

Jackson and the Ravens had been eradicated from the postseason final yr in a 17-10 loss to the Chiefs at house within the convention title sport. Will the reigning MVP get at the very least a little bit of revenge Thursday evening?

That is such a troublesome name, however I’ve to go along with the staff with the higher signal-caller and that is simply Mahomes. The Kansas Metropolis QB has three Tremendous Bowls and would possibly lead the Chiefs to a 3rd consecutive title. The one edge I give Baltimore is at working again however Derrick Henry is now 30 and we have seen what occurs when that place hits a sure age. Chiefs’ Isiah Pacheco, 25, is getting into his prime and has the potential to be among the many NFL’s prime working backs this season.

The Chiefs famous person QB — a three-time Tremendous Bowl champion, three-time Tremendous Bowl MVP and two-time NFL MVP — has arrived at Arrowhead Stadium forward of his staff’s matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.

Head coach Andy Reid beforehand introduced Brown wouldn’t play in Week 1 after the receiver suffered a shoulder harm within the staff’s preseason matchup with Jacksonville final month.

However, Brown ought to return someday throughout the subsequent couple of weeks.

Whereas the Chiefs had a number of different gamers listed on the harm report, all had been listed as full contributors all through the week.

Defensive lineman Chris Jones (shoulder), linebacker Nick Bolton (elbow), guard Joe Thuney (pectoral), defensive sort out Derrick Nnadi (triceps), cornerback Nazeeh Johnson (hamstring), cornerback Joshua Williams (hamstring), offensive lineman Wanya Morris (knee), and lengthy snapper James Winchester (shoulder) all don’t have a sport standing and are set to play. – Myles Simmons.

Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce had a outstanding yr on and off the sphere. He led Kansas Metropolis in receiving yards (984), receptions (93), and targets (121), and his girlfriend Taylor Swift was within the viewers 13 occasions final season, watching him shine.

The 14-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter has no exhibits scheduled for September so there’s a probability that she could possibly be at Thursday’s Baltimore Ravens vs Kansas Metropolis Chiefs sport. – Mary Omatiga

No staff in NFL historical past has gained three consecutive Tremendous Bowls. Will that change this season? The Chiefs have gained eight straight division titles — the longest lively streak in NFL — and have made the playoffs 9 straight seasons (additionally the longest lively streak within the NFL).

The Ravens signed All-Professional working again Derrick Henry in free company on a two-year, $16 million deal that could possibly be as much as $20 million with incentives.

Henry comes over from the Tennessee Titans. He has rushed for at the very least 1,500 yards in three of his final 5 seasons. The 30-year-old led the league in dashing in each 2019 and 2020 and has at the very least six straight seasons with 10+ dashing scores.

The Chiefs gained final season’s postseason matchup 17-10 on the street in Baltimore. In that sport, the Ravens dedicated three turnovers (together with two ultimately zone) and raised questions on star QB Lamar Jackson.

Jackson, who claimed MVP final yr, fell to solely 2-4 all-time within the playoffs.

Mahomes was 30-for-39 for 241 yards and a landing in that sport. Travis Kelce exploded for 11 catches, 116 yards and a rating.