Lamar Jackson and the Ravens express their disagreement regarding the reversal of the touchdown decision against the Chiefs.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) delivered a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Jackson, along with several of his teammates, expressed the belief that the referees should have upheld their last-minute touchdown instead of reversing the decision during their season-opening defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs. The officials nullified the score, which would have provided the Ravens with an opportunity to secure a victory, determining that tight end Isaiah Likely's right foot landed out of bounds at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

Jackson expressed to reporters, "I believed it was a touchdown, and I continue to believe it was a touchdown." The 10-yard pass originated from a play initiated with just five seconds left on the clock. After taking the final snap, Jackson skillfully evaded multiple pass rushers before delivering a powerful throw to the back of the end zone. Likely soared into the air to catch the pass before landing. Initially, officials determined that he was inbounds, awarding a touchdown that narrowed the Ravens' deficit to just one point.

Video evidence revealed that the tip of Likely's

right black shoe had crossed the white line at the rear of the end zone,

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The Ravens were preparing to execute a potentially decisive two-point conversion when officials convened to review the preceding play. Video evidence revealed that the tip of Likely's right black shoe had crossed the white line at the rear of the end zone, leading to the determination of an incomplete pass. "I threw it so he could make a play on it," Jackson remarked regarding his final throw. "I aimed for him to have a chance to leap a bit. I thought he performed exceptionally well with an acrobatic catch, and I am confident that he had both feet in." Jackson completed 26 of 41 passes for 273 yards and one touchdown. Additionally, he rushed for 122 yards on 16 attempts in the 27-20 defeat. Likely recorded nine receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown.

The Ravens found themselves down by 10 points in the second half but nearly secured victory with a final 11-play drive that commenced from their own 13-yard line. They surpassed the Chiefs in total yardage, achieving 452 yards compared to the Chiefs' 353, and maintained a significant advantage in time of possession, 33:43 to 26:17. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who completed 20 of 28 passes for 291 yards, along with one touchdown and one interception, humorously suggested that Likely should don white shoes in the future to make it more difficult to determine if his feet were in bounds. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid mentioned that he did not have a clear view of Likely's feet during the decisive play. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh expressed uncertainty about whether Likely's foot was out of bounds based on the footage displayed on the stadium's big screen, stating he was unaware of how the play appeared on replay. Other Ravens players, such as linebacker Roquan Smith and running back Derrick Henry, believed the original touchdown ruling should have been upheld. "I didn't think there was sufficient evidence to overturn it," Smith remarked. "However, I believe that will be an issue for the referees to address when the time comes, and that is beyond my control."

 Likely expressed his intention to "accept the decision." He stated, "We must review the film to identify areas for improvement, ensuring we do not place ourselves in a position where the outcome is determined by the referees." In his debut with the Ravens, Henry achieved 46 rushing yards and scored a touchdown. Smith contributed with seven combined tackles and an interception. Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco amassed 78 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on 17 carries. Wide receiver Rashee Rice recorded seven receptions for 103 yards. Rookie standout Xavier Worthy, who scored on a 21-yard run during his first NFL play, also made two catches for 47 yards and a touchdown. The Ravens are set to host the Las Vegas Raiders for their second game at 1 p.m. EDT on September 15 in Baltimore, while the Chiefs will face the Cincinnati Bengals at 4:25 p.m. on the same day in Kansas City, Missouri.