OWINGS MILLS — When the Ravens and Chiefs walked off the field after Thursday’s game, the players didn’t think it would be the the only time the teams will see each other this season.
Kansas City emerged with a hard-fought 27-20 victory, but the game could be a preamble to another showdown in the playoffs.
“It’s a great football team and I’m sure we’ll see them again at some point in the playoffs,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said.
The Ravens fought to the end and came within inches of sending the game in a different direction.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson threw a 10-yard pass to tight end Isaiah Likely in the back of the end zone as time expired that would have pulled the Ravens to within one point. After a review, the officials ruled that Likely’s toe was on the line. Ravens coach John Harbaugh indicated the team would have attempted a two-point conversion to win the game if Likely’s reception would have been ruled in-bounds.
Likely had some strong words following the game.
“This is probably the worst game we are going to play all year,” Likely said. “If this is the best that they got, good luck in the postseason.”
The Chiefs also beat the Ravens, 17-10, in the AFC Championship Game last season. Kansas City has won five of six games when Jackson and Mahomes have played against each other.
When Jackson was asked whether the Chiefs and Mahomes are his “kryptonite,” the Ravens’ quarterback did not appreciate the question.
“It ain’t my kryptonite. It’s not my kryptonite. It’s not my kryptonite,” Jackson said.
Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones had been a game-wrecker against the Ravens. He had a strip sack on Jackson that led to a field goal in the second quarter.
Jones is also anticipating a rematch with the Ravens in the postseason.
“We knew it was going to be a battle,” Jones said. “It was an exciting game that came down to literally the end. That’s a playoff-caliber team right there with an MVP quarterback. We look forward to seeing them later on down the road.”
