Kansas City Chiefs can say ‘Whew!’ after opening with win vs. Ravens: report card

By an inch, perhaps less, the three-peat-seeking Kansas City Chiefs avoided a potential season-opening loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

A pass from Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson to tight end Isaiah Likely in the back of the end zone was originally ruled a touchdown with no time left. Had it stood, it would’ve cut the Chiefs’ lead to one point, 27-26, with a PAT or two-point conversion attempt to come.

But the reception was overturned after an instant-replay review: Likely’s toe had been on the line.

Chiefs superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes jumped for joy on the sideline as the result of the review was announced.

The Chiefs had escaped with a 27-20 victory.

KC STAR OF THE GAME

What a debut for Xavier Worthy: three touches, two touchdowns. His vapor-trail 21-yard run in the first quarter came with superb downfield blocking. Then he and Mahomes took advantage of busted coverage for a 35-yard TD reception. It was debut reminiscent of Kareem Hunt’s in 2017, when the rookie running back scored three TDs in a win at New England — on a night the Patriots celebrated a Super Bowl victory.

Next: The Chiefs stay in the AFC North and take on the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 15. Kickoff for that one is 3:25 p.m., with the broadcast on CBS (Channel 5).

REPORT CARD

Passing offense: B

Worthy excelled in bursts. WR Rashee Rice was unstoppable on quick slants throughout, with his longest play going for 33 yards. He finished with 103 yards on seven receptions.

Mahomes was 20 for 28 for 291 yards and was solid on a night he surpassed Len Dawson to become the team’s career leader in passing yards. Drops hurt his completion percentage, but he also chipped in a big error with an interception just before halftime that led to a Ravens field goal.

More Kansas City Chiefs coverage

News, analysis and storylines from the Chiefs’ season opening win vs. the Baltimore Ravens.

→ 5 things that stood out from the Chiefs' dramatic win

→ Our grades for KC — and player of the game

→ What we learned from the home victory

→ Download our exclusive game-day poster

Mahomes and RB Samaje Perine would like to have back a play: In the third quarter, they caught the Ravens in a blitz but missed on a connection that would have led to a big gain.

Rushing offense: C

Running back Isiah Pacheco was slow to get going behind an offensive line that didn’t get much push. His longest carry went for 5 yards. But he made an alert decision on a reception in the fourth quarter, when he rolled over Ravens defenders to keep the play alive and pick up a first down.

Give Mahomes an assist on Pacheco’s 1-yard touchdown run. When it appeared Pacheco would be stopped short, Mahomes rushed to the pile to give an extra push. It helped.

Rookie RB Carson Steele got his first NFL carry and powered for 5 yards.

Passing defense: B

Linebacker Nick Bolton got burned on the Jackson-to-Isaiah Likely 49-yard TD pass. Bolton got turned around in coverage, then couldn’t make the tackle on the first play of the fourth quarter.

But there were plenty of victories for the Chiefs. Give it up for DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah. He alertly pounced on a fumble by Jackson (that was forced by fellow D-lineman Chris Jones). The Chiefs frustrated Jackson.

First-half highlights included a great open-field tackle by safety Justin Reid that forced a Ravens punt, and a terrific tackle by CB Trent McDuffie on fourth-and-3 from midfield that ended a Baltimore possession.

LB Leo Chanel saved a touchdown with a pass breakup just before halftime, one of his two defended passes in the game.

But the Chiefs were gassed on the Ravens’ final possession as the visitors drove from the 13 to the shadow of the end zone. Respect to Jackson, who passed for 273 yards and rushed for 111.

Rushing defense: B

Veteran RB and former Titans star Derrick Henry has rushed for as many as 188 yards against a Steve Spagnuolo defense, and has eclipsed 1,000 yards in five of the past six seasons. But the Chiefs didn’t give him much breathing room Thursday.

Containing Jackson was the bigger chore, and the Chiefs stepped up when it mattered. Jackson did most of his damage when flushed from the pocket and not on designed runs.

Still, Jackson is special. He put up huge numbers and nearly brought the Ravens back from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit.

Special teams: B

Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub said to heck with the kickoff return and had placekicker Harrison Butker drill it through the end zone every time. The Ravens played for the return and Steele, the rookie, went for 28 yards on his first attempt as a kick returner.

Butker is the ultimate safety valve. A Chiefs drive can stall but points are automatic.