At halftime of Thursday’s season opener, the Kansas City Chiefs hold a narrow 13-10 lead over the Baltimore Ravens, in a game marked by missed red zone opportunities and key defensive plays by both teams.
The Chiefs were driving just after the two-minute warning following a missed 53-yard field goal attempt by Ravens kicker Justin Tucker. With the ball near midfield, Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes faced heavy pressure and threw a pass intended for second-year wide receiver Rashee Rice. However, Rice was nowhere near where the ball landed, and the throw ended up being intercepted by Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith. This turnover allowed Baltimore to capitalize before the half, but they couldn’t fully convert it into points.
Xavier Worthy is really a Kansas City Chief 😳
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Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson led the offense down to Kansas City’s 7-yard line, but the drive stalled. Two incomplete passes, both intended for running back Justice Hill, forced the Ravens to settle for a 25-yard field goal, which narrowed the deficit to three points. Jackson had a solid first half overall, completing 13-of-18 passes for 105 yards. He also led the Ravens in rushing, with 63 yards on the ground. However, Jackson also had a costly mistake when he was strip-sacked by Kansas City’s star defensive lineman Chris Jones, resulting in a fumble that killed another Baltimore drive.
Making his Ravens debut, running back Derrick Henry rushed eight times for 33 yards and scored the Ravens’ lone touchdown on a 5-yard run. Rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers had a productive half, catching five passes for 39 yards. Tight end Isaiah Likely was another key target for Jackson, hauling in four receptions for 38 yards.
ISAIAH LIKELY SO GOOD
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For Kansas City, Mahomes had been playing efficiently before the interception. He completed 9-of-14 passes for 117 yards in the first half and surpassed franchise legend Len Dawson for the Chiefs’ all-time record in passing yards. The team started the game strong, with wide receiver Xavier Worthy scoring on a 21-yard touchdown run during the Chiefs’ opening drive. However, Kansas City’s ground game struggled to gain momentum afterward, with running back Isiah Pacheco managing just 12 yards on four carries.
Tight end Travis Kelce, one of Mahomes’ favorite targets, had two receptions for 24 yards, including an impressive 23-yard catch during a scramble by Mahomes. But aside from a few flashes, Kansas City’s offense couldn’t build consistent rhythm against a Ravens defense that kept them in check.
Baltimore has controlled the flow of the game in many respects, leading in both first downs (12 to 8) and total yardage (204 to 139). However, they have been plagued by penalties, particularly on the offensive line. The Ravens have been flagged four times for illegal formation, with left tackle Ronnie Stanley being called for the penalty on three occasions. These penalties stalled a couple of Baltimore’s promising drives.
Special teams play has also been fairly straightforward, with neither team breaking off any significant kickoff returns. Kansas City kicker Harrison Butker consistently sent his kickoffs deep into or out of the end zone, leaving little room for returns. Tucker handled kickoff duties for Baltimore, and the Chiefs’ Carson Steele managed a 28-yard return on one of the few kicks that stayed in bounds.
PACHECO PUSHES THROUGH FOR SIX.
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The game has been defined by missed opportunities for both teams. The Ravens, despite moving the ball well, failed to finish their drives in the end zone, settling for a field goal after the Mahomes interception. Jackson’s fumble on the strip-sack also prevented Baltimore from potentially taking a lead. Meanwhile, the Chiefs couldn’t take full control of the game, with their offense stalling after a quick start and Mahomes’ interception giving the Ravens a chance to close the gap.
Both teams will look to clean up mistakes and take advantage of opportunities in the second half, as the game remains tightly contested. With Baltimore leading in total yards and controlling the tempo but Kansas City holding the lead on the scoreboard, the second half is shaping up to be a battle of adjustments and execution.
