The end of Thursday night’s NFL opener hammered home the adage that “football is a game of inches,” as demonstrated by the final play of the The Kansas City Chiefs‘ Victory 27-20 during the Baltimore Ravens.
Needing a touchdown and an extra point to tie the game, the Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson led his team down the field on an 11-play, 77-yard drive, but broke down after its last passas time expired, resulted in a touchdown being called after it was ruled that Isaiah is probableToe landed out of bounds after catching the ball deep in the end zone.
“I thought it was a touchdown,” Jackson said afterward. “I still think it was a touchdown.”
In the moments after Likely’s catch and before the referees came to review the play, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was already signaling to his players that they were going for the two-point conversion and the win with time remaining on the clock.
But that was not the case as referee Shawn Hochuli called it an incomplete pass and the game was over.
This dropped the Ravens’ record at 1-5including the playoffs, against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. And if that wasn’t enough, Mahomes offered Likely some advice for the next time he has a receiving opportunity in the back of an end zone.
“It looked good from my angle on the sideline,” Mahomes said“But the first time you saw the game you could see the boot. They’re a great football team and I’m sure we’ll see them again at some point in the playoffs. We’re happy with the win now. He needs to wear white cleats next time, that’s my advice to him.”
The Ravens were furious about a lot of things after the game — between the final play, a push on the sideline and another tough loss to the defending Super Bowl champions.
Roquan SmithWHO took exception to a push from the Chiefs tight end Peyton Hendershotsaid he didn’t think there was enough evidence to overturn the decision. Likely said he thought Thursday would be the Ravens’ worst game of the year and that “if this is the best they’ve had, good luck in the playoffs.”
He probably finished with a good game, making nine receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown, but the final play will live on in his memory.
“It’s my fault,” Likely said. “I just have to put my foot down. I try to catch everything and make sure everybody gives us the best chance, so I take responsibility. Next time, I’m going to put my foot down.”
