Chiefs tiptoe to Week One victory over Ravens in NFL kickoff game

The 2024 NFL season has finally arrived. It begins the same way last year ended, with a win for the Kansas City Chiefs. On Thursday, the back-to-back Super Bowl champion Chiefs played host to the Baltimore Ravens at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The Week One matchup Worthy of the 2023 AFC Championship Game re-match that it was. The last time these teams met, Kansas City came out on top on their path to Super Bowl LVIII.The reigning champs won again — this time by a toe. You can watch the Chiefs post-game press conference live in the video player above. The individual pressers will be available in full below shortly after they air. Tonight’s NFL kickoff game once again pit quarterback Mahomes against fellow two-time MVP Lamar Jackson and head coach Andy Reid against his former pupil John Harbaugh.The game was a close affair that saw the Chiefs in the driver’s seat for the entire night, only ceding a lead once to the Ravens on the opening drive of the game.Couldn’t watch the back-to-back champs kick off the 2024 NFL season live? We’ve got you covered with the highlights, biggest storylines, and postgame conferences all in this article.Final Score | Ravens 20 – 27 Chiefs | Chiefs WinRavens vs. Chiefs Postgame:Chris Jones postgame press conference -Patrick Mahomes postgame press conference -Xavier Worthy postgame press conference -Andy Reid’s postgame press conference -A message from Chris Jones after kicking off the season with a victory. Ravens vs. Chiefs Fourth Quarter Updates:Q4 | 0:00 – (Ravens Drive 10 – End of Regulation) Lamar Jackson delivers a would-be touchdown to tight end Isiah Likely in the back of the endzone.Unfortunately for Baltimore, the young pass catcher is out by a toe, and the play is overturned. Kansas City will start the season 1-0. Q4 | 2:00 – (Chiefs Drive 10 – Punt) Kansas City gets a little movement but can’t quite bleed out the clock. The Ravens get the stop they need and will likely have one more chance to tie or take the lead before the end of regulation.Mahomes manages to avoid throwing a potentially game-ending interception by catching his own tipped pass. Q4 | 4:54 – (Ravens Drive 9 – Field Goal) It’s a one-score game after Baltimore is able to get into field goal range. With time winding down, the Ravens are still in need of a quick defensive stop if they’re hoping to get the ball back for another chance to even the score. Lamar Jackson now has over 100 rushing yards in the game. Q4 | 10:25 – (Chiefs Drive 9 – Touchdown) And just like that, the Chiefs are back up by 10. Mahomes delivers a 35-yard touchdown pass to rookie Xavier Worthy that gives the wideout two in his first NFL game. Q4 | 14:47 – (Ravens Drive 8 – Touchdown) An impressive connection between Lamar Jackson and tight end Isiah Likely puts the Ravens back within striking distance. The pass goes for 49 yards and shrinks the Chiefs’ lead to 3.Ravens vs. Chiefs Third Quarter Updates:Q3| 0:00 – (Ravens Drive 8 – In Progress) The Ravens close out the third quarter in possession of the ball at midfield. Q3| 3:37 – (Chiefs Drive 8 – Punt) A would-be big play ultimately ends the driver after Mahomes has a missed connection with running back Samaje Perine on a third-and-five.The punt turns into a touchback and sets the Ravens up at the Baltimore 20-yard line. Q3| 8:24 – (Ravens Drive 7 – Punt) Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson is making his case as Kansas City’s second starting corner. The defensive back has an excellent pass break up on a perfectly thrown ball from Lamar Jackson meant for receiver Zay Flowers. Mecole Hardman fair catches a punt and gives the Chiefs the ball at the Kansas City 10 yard-line. Q3| 11:28 – (Chiefs Drive 7 – Touchdown) Patrick Mahomes helps shove running back Isiah Pacheco into the endzone to widen the Chiefs lead to 10.The extra point from Butker is good, and Kansas City is up 20 to 10.Q3| 12:23 – (Chiefs Drive 7 – In Progress) The Chiefs are bailed out of a third-and-long after the Ravens are caught with a roughing the passer call. The drive, so far, has been highlighted by a 33-yard connection between Mahomes and receiver Rashee Rice. Q3| 15:00 – (Chiefs Drive 7 – In Progress) Kansas City will open up the second half with the ball after deferring during the coin toss. Kansas City’s first drive will start at the Chiefs’ 21-yard line. Ravens vs. Chiefs Second Quarter Updates:Q2| 0:00 – (Chiefs Drive 6 – Halftime) Kansas City takes a knee and sends the game into halftime with the Chiefs up by three. Former Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith has a message for his former back up. Q2| 0:03 – (Ravens Drive 6 – Field Goal) The Ravens are able to shrink the Chiefs’ lead to three. Baltimore is knocking on the endzone, but Kansas City’s defense is able to avoid giving up a touchdown. Lamar Jackson does manage to make some history of his own on the final drive of the half. Q2| 1:55 – (Chiefs Drive 5 – Interception) And in one play the Chiefs give the ball right back to the Ravens.An errant pass from Patrick Mahomes is intercepted by Baltimore linebacker Roquan Smith.Q2| 1:55 – (Ravens Drive 5 – Missed Field Goal) An uncharacteristic miss by kicker Justin Tucker ensures that the Ravens won’t be able to shrink Kansas City’s six-point lead. The interior of the Ravens offensive line has been giving up consistent pressure to the Chiefs defensive line through two quarters. Kansas City takes back over at their own 35-yard line. Q2| 5:44 – (Chiefs Drive 4 – Field Goal) Kelce snags his first two catches of the game on drive number four for the Chiefs.The second connection between Mahomes and his tight end is enough to give the quarterback the most passing yards in Chiefs franchise history. Unfortunately for Kansas City, another drive ends just short of the endzone, and the Chiefs settle for a 31-yard field goal that puts them up by 6.Q2| 9:39 – (Ravens Drive 4 – Turnover on Downs) A bold decision to go for it on fourth down at midfield doesn’t pay off for the Ravens.A failed conversion attempt on 4 and 3 gives Kansas City the ball back at the Chiefs’ 49-yard line. Q2| 13:40 – (Chiefs Drive 3 – Field Goal) The Chiefs come up just shy of the endzone after JuJu Smith-Schuster can’t quite come down with a contested catch. Harrison Butker is able to increase the chiefs lead with a 32-year field goal. Kansas City now leads 10 to 7.Q2| 14:44 – (Ravens Drive 3 – Fumble) Kansas City takes back over thanks to the NFL’s best defensive lineman. Chris Jones knocks the ball loose from Lamar Jackson on the first play of the Ravens’ third drive. Second-year pass rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah recovers. Q2| 14:53 – (Ravens Drive 3 – In Progress) Baltimore takes back over at the at their own 20-yard line after a punt from new Chiefs punter Matt Araiza. Ravens vs. Chiefs First Quarter Updates:Q1| 0:00 – (Chiefs Drive 2 – Punt) Despite a highlight play from running back Isiah Pacheco, Mahomes takes a big sack on third on long during the Chiefs’ second drive, setting up the second quarter to open up with a punt. Q1| 2:55 – (Ravens Drive 2 – Punt) Kansas City’s defense shows up on the second drive, quickly forcing the Ravens off in just four plays. Mecole Hardman fair catches the punt and sets the Chiefs offense up at their own 10-yard line. Q1| 5:55 – (Chiefs Drive 1 – Touchdown) Kansas City answer back quickly! The Chiefs look smooth on their opening drive with several big catches from Patrick Mahomes to receiver Rashee Rice. It’s rookie wideout Xavier Worthy who closes out the first drive of the game with a splash, though. A jet sweep sends the rookie to the endzone with his blazing-fast speed. Q1| 8:41 – (Ravens Drive 1 – Touchdown) Despite some penalties early, the Ravens make quick use of their newest, and biggest, offensive weapon. Derrick Henry punches in the first touchdown of the 2024 NFL season.Q1| 13:55 – (Ravens Drive 1 – In Progress) Chris Jones is already hard a work under his new contract. Q1| 15:00 – (Ravens Drive 1 – In Progress) The Chiefs win the toss and defer. The Ravens receive the first kickoff of the 2024 NFL season, which goes into the endzone and sets Baltimore up at the 30-yard line to begin the game. Ravens vs. Chiefs Pre-game updates:7:37 p.m. – The Chiefs fourth Super Bowl banner has been unveiled. 7:32 p.m. – A special tribute happened before game to honor the shooting victims of the Super Bowl victory celebration at Union Station in February. Lisa Lopez-Galvan, 44, was fatally shot. We spoke with her family earlier today ahead of the game. 6:59 p.m. – Weather is clearing up just in time for some football. 6:56 p.m. – NFL Insider Ian Rapoport says that kickoff has been delayed from 7:20 p.m. CT to 7:40 p.m. CT due to the rain.6:44 p.m. – Looks like Chiefs Kingdom has some extra Royal-ty in the building tonight. 6:25 p.m. – A rain storm has interrupted pre-game warmups at Arrowhead. Heavy rain is in the forecast for the next hour.We don’t know yet if the rain will delay kickoff.6:00 p.m. – The Chiefs and Ravens inactives are here. No surprises on these lists. Wide receiver Hollywood Brown and rookie edge rusher Adisa Isaac are the only players who have already been ruled out of the season opener due to injury. 6:12 p.m. – Game time is quickly approaching!5:59 p.m. – Yes. Taylor Swift is back for another season of Chiefs football at Arrowhead Stadium.5:25 p.m. – Travis Kelce is still rocking the mustache heading into Week One. 4:45 p.m. – It appears Taylor Swift is back for another season of Chiefs football. The pop star’s plane has landed in Kansas City shortly before game time at Arrowhead Stadium. 4:23 p.m. – Patrick Mahomes is in the building!4:09 p.m. – A few familiar Kansas City icons are in town for the World’s Largest Tailgate.3:59 p.m. – The Ravens, including their new running back Derrick Henry, have begun arriving at Arrowhead Stadium. 3:15 p.m. – Surprise! A game-day extension! The Chiefs have agreed to terms on a new three-year deal with tight end Noah Gray, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Travis Kelce’s backup is staying in Kansas City for several years to come on a 3-year contract extension worth $19.5 million with $6 million signing bonus.2:55 p.m. – The gates at Arrowhead are open and ready for game day. 2:00 p.m. – The Chiefs are relatively healthy heading into Thursday night. Wide receiver Hollywood Brown and rookie edge rusher Adisa Isaac are the only players who have already been ruled out of the season opener. The official inactive list will come out approximately an hour before kickoff. 12:30 p.m. – Tailgating is already well underway at Arrowhead Stadium.12:00 p.m. – Joe’s KC Barbeque typically isn’t open on game days. With the season opener happening on a Thursday, they’re cooking up something special. 9:38 a.m. – A little pre-game hype from QB1.More Chiefs vs. Ravens news: