They say football is a game of inches, and we saw that firsthand Thursday night. The Baltimore Ravens came just a toe away from revenge on the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 NFL season opener
Down a touchdown with only seconds left on the clock, the ball was in the hands of quarterback Lamar Jackson with the opportunity for the Ravens to get the first win of the season. Jackson connected with Isaiah Likely for 10 yards in the end zone, which would have made it 27-26 with the chance to go for two and win, but upon review it was determined that the tight end was out of bounds.
The game was declared over and the victory went to the home team, but in reality the game could have taken a major turn one play before that. almost landing
Jackson had a wide open Zay Flowers in the end zone on the penultimate snap of the game, in a play they sure wish they had back. It looked like the Ravens offense missed a major opportunity to score and possibly win or send the game into overtime, but it turns out that pass was never even intended for Flowers.
After the game, Jackson explained that he actually threw the ball to a different wide receiver, Rashod Bateman, and didn’t see Flowers until it was too late.
Here’s a look at the play:
“I see [Chiefs defensive tackle] Chris Jones was on [Ravens running back] Justice Hill … so I tried to help Justice out and I tried to get out of the pocket. And I see Bateman fly across, so I think Bateman (is) going to stop, and as I throw the ball I see Zay fly across.” Jackson saidscoffing in disapproval of how it went down when he remembered the play.
There’s more than a 100-pound difference between Jones and Hill, so seeing the matchup, Jackson wanted to make it easy on his player.
The defending league MVP continued, adding, “That wasn’t meant for Zay Flowers. So yeah, I was fed up with that because I’m like, ‘If I’d held on to it a little bit more, I would have just shot it to Zay.’
Jackson wanted to use some strong words to describe the situation, admitting, “I want to say something else, but I’m like damn.”
Jackson then said the final play of the game should be counted: “I thought it was a touchdown. I still think it was a touchdown.”
There is no guarantee that a touchdown on either down would have resulted in a win for Baltimore, as it either needed a successful two-point attempt or won it in overtime, but two frustrating missed touchdown opportunities to end the game meant there was no chance. overall for W. The Ravens and Chiefs might meet again in the playoffs, and that finish will undoubtedly give the Ravens that extra incentive if there is a second matchup this season.
The Chiefs are now 1-0 to begin their quest for a three-peat. Next week the Chiefs will face Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals at Arrowhead, while the Ravens will have their home opener against the Las Vegas Raiders.
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