We couldn’t have hoped for a better start to the 2024 NFL season as the Chiefs vs Ravens went to the wire at Arrowhead Stadium. Although the game produced a sensational viewing experience for the fans, it was a little heartbreaking for a certain player. With a last-second touchdown that could have changed the outcome at the final whistle. Ravens star Isaiah Likely was left scratching his head after a controversial call from the referees.

As the week 1 showdown finished with the Chiefs handing a painful 27-20 loss to the Ravens. It could have been significantly different if the referees didn’t change their original decision. Speaking about the incident that got Likely calling out Kansas City, Chiefs’ safety Justin Reid came up with a befitting reply.

Opening up on his views via the Up and Adams show, Reid stated, “It’s the 1st game of the season. I hope it’s the worst game that anyone plays. If you’re peaking right now, that’s bad news. Isaiah had a good game himself, so credit to him. I don’t see the Kansas City Chiefs being the same team we were yesterday. I see us getting better as we keep going.” Although the Chiefs managed to come out as the winner on their home turf, it could have gone either way.

With five seconds on the clock remaining, reigning NFL MVP Jackson ran circles before throwing a lofted pass to Likely within the Chiefs 10-yard line. As Likely took the catch while Chiefs LB Nick Bolton latched on to him, the official signaled for a touchdown. This made the Ravens TE jump with joy while punting the football into the air.

Speaking about his excitement after the game, Isaiah Likely stated, “The ref looked at me, I look at the ref, and when he signaled touchdown. I thought it was what it was. Then, obviously, we were going to win the game.” Looking back, it would have taken the Ravens within one point of the Chiefs with no time left. They were even lining up to score two points that would have taken them above the Chiefs before the game ended.

But the referee, Shawn Hochuli, saw something else as he announced, “The runner’s toe hit out of bounds. It’s an incomplete pass. The game is over. Kansas City has won.” Isaiah was seemingly devasted after the call, which got him saying, “At this point, you just have to live with the call.” However, this wasn’t the only highlight of the season opener, as it offered plenty more.

Chiefs clinching the season opener in last-minute thriller at Arrowhead

After a rollercoaster of the final few minutes that got everyone on the edge of their seats, the Chiefs came out victorious as the Ravens found themselves heartbroken at the final whistle. Expressing his thoughts after the game, the Chiefs’ head coach, Andy Reid, stated, “It was two heavyweights in a fight right down to the end. When they say it’s a game of inches, it might be shorter than that.” Well, the way the game finished, no one would have guessed the script.

However, taking nothing away from the Chiefs last night, the three-time Super Bowl Champion Patrick Mahomes and rookie WR Xavier Worthy were the standout performers. Mahomes finished with 20-of-28 while racking up 291 yards and one touchdown. Elsewhere, Worthy had a moment of his own where he recorded a thunderous 35-yard touchdown, thereby showing his talents as a runner. He even went ahead and put a second TD on the night, which got Mahomes praising the rookie WR.

“He’s so cool, calm and collected all the time. You never even see the excitement from him. But he goes out there and makes plays,” said the reigning Super Bowl champion. Although a combined effort from the team allowed the Chiefs to start their title defense on a winning note, will they be able to build on that victory? Or will the Chiefs Kingdom fail to carry their charge towards an unprecedented 3-peat?