Chiefs hold off Ravens 27-20 when review overturns TD on final play of NFL's season opener
Patrick Mahomes threw for 291 yards and a touchdown, and the Kansas City defense kept Lamar Jackson and the Ravens out of the end zone on three consecutive plays in the closing seconds
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes thought for a moment that the Chiefs were headed to overtime. So did Ravens counterpart Lamar Jackson, who had found Isaiah Likely in the back of the end zone with no time left for a touchdown that appeared to tie the game.
In the end, the NFL's season opener Thursday night was decided by referee Shawn Hochuli undertaking a video review.
With a capacity crowd that included pop superstar Taylor Swift waiting in anticipation, Hochuli needed just seconds looking at that final play before making his announcement: Likely landed with his toe on the endline, putting the Baltimore tight end out of bounds, and giving the Chiefs a 27-20 victory as they began pursuit of a record third consecutive Super Bowl title.
“Definitely nerve-wracking because it looked good from my angle on the sideline," Mahomes said, “but then the first view you could see his cleat. ... You have to wear white cleats next time. That's my advice for him.”
