The Chiefs led the Ravens 13-10 at halftime of Thursday’s season opener, with both teams missing opportunities in the red zone.
With Kansas City having the ball near the halfway line shortly after the two-minute warning following Justin Tucker’s missed 53-yard field goal, quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw an interception over the middle to linebacker Roquan Smith. Mahomes was under pressure and his intended receiver was Rashee Rice. But the second-year wideout wasn’t anywhere near where the ball landed.
However, Baltimore was unable to take full advantage of the ball gain. Quarterback Lamar Jackson brought the Ravens to Kansas City’s 7-yard line. But after two incomplete passes to Justice Hill, Baltimore settled for a 25-yard field goal and came within three points.
Jackson completed 13 of 18 passes for 105 yards and led the team with 63 rushing yards. However, he was also sacked by defensive lineman Chris Jones and lost the fumble.
In his debut for the Ravens, Derrick Henry had eight carries for 33 yards and a 5-yard touchdown. Zay Flowers caught five passes for 39 yards, while Isaiah Likely caught four passes for 38 yards.
Before throwing the interception to Smith, Mahomes had a solid first half, completing 9 of 14 passes for 117 yards, surpassing Len Dawson, who holds the all-time franchise record for most passing yards.
Xavier Worthy scored a 21-yard touchdown on Kansas City’s first drive, but otherwise the team’s running game was not very successful, as Isiah Pacheco was limited to 12 yards on four carries.
Travis Kelce also caught two passes for 24 yards, including a 23-yard pass after a run play and subsequent throw by Mahomes.
Baltimore has 12 first downs to Kansas City’s 8 and leads in yardage 204 to 139.
Most notably, the Ravens were penalized four times for illegal positioning because the offensive tackles were positioned too far back in the backfield. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley was penalized three times.
So far, only one kickoff has been returned in six attempts, as Harrison Butker either sent the ball deep into the end zone or out of the end zone for Kansas City. While Tucker handled kickoff duties for the Ravens, Carson Steele returned it 28 yards for the Chiefs.
The kickoff for the second half is given by Kansas City.
