The kickoff to the 2024 NFL season was nothing short of spectacular, with the Chiefs edging out the Ravens in a nail-biter on Thursday night. The game came down to the final play, where Lamar Jackson connected with Isaiah Likely for what appeared to be a game-tying touchdown. However, the officiating crew overturned the call after reviewing the play and determining that Likely was out of bounds by a mere six centimeters, give or take a centimeter.
Despite the heartbreak, Likely had an impressive performance, hauling in nine catches for 111 yards and a touchdown. Had he managed to keep both feet in bounds, he would have undoubtedly been hailed as the hero of the game.
In the post-game press conference, Patrick Mahomes shared his perspective on the critical play. “It looked good from my angle on the sideline, but then, that first view you saw, you could see the cleat,” Mahomes admitted. He praised the Ravens as a formidable opponent and expressed confidence in facing them again in the playoffs.
Mahomes also had some lighthearted advice for Likely, jokingly suggesting that he wear white cleats next time to avoid any confusion with the sideline. The suggestion drew some laughs, but in reality, Mahomes had a point – with white cleats, it would have been much harder to discern if Likely had stepped out.
If the touchdown had stood, the Ravens were prepared to go for the win with a 2-point conversion attempt. Instead, they left the field with a disappointing 0-1 record as they headed back to Baltimore to regroup before their next game against the Raiders in Week 2.
As the Ravens prepare for their upcoming matchup, all eyes will be on Likely to see if he takes Mahomes’ advice to heart. Perhaps a simple change in footwear could make all the difference in the outcome of their next game. The drama of the NFL season is just beginning, and if this game was any indication, fans are in for an exhilarating ride.