The 2024 NFL season kicked off with a bang, as the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs faced off in a thrilling rematch of last year’s AFC Championship.
The game, featuring a high-stakes quarterback showdown between Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson, went down to the wire, with the Chiefs escaping Arrowhead Stadium with a 27-20 win.
On the final play of the game, needing a touchdown, Jackson connected on a pass to tight end Isaiah Likely in the back of the end zone.
Initially called a touchdown, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh immediately signaled that Baltimore would go-for-2 and the win.
There was only one problem … As replayed clearly showed, Likely’s toe hit out of bounds as he came down with the catch.
The game was over, and the final result was one we’ve become accustomed to between these two teams … Despite the Ravens fighting tooth and nail, the Chiefs won because they are just on a different level.
Jackson raised a ton of eyebrows in his postgame press conference where he confidently stated that the final play should have been ruled a touchdown.
“I thought it was a touchdown … I still think it was a touchdown,” Jackson said bluntly.
Needless to say, Jackson was bashed on social media for his statement, especially since there was absolutely no doubt whatsoever that Likely’s toe was out of bounds…
“Grow up already. It obviously wasn’t a TD. Take accountability if you missing the first 2 wide open guys before that play.”
“What he should’ve said; “I had a chance to make a play before that and I didn’t. I take responsibility, I have to make that throw. Shouldn’t have came down to that play” … What I heard; it’s the refs fault, I think it was a TD but the replay shows I’m wrong, and I stand on that.”
“It was incomplete. Talk about the 2 missed throws prior if ur gonna focus on something. Accountability.”
“We’re just ignoring the literal video evidence? Lol.”
“His vision must explain his lack of accuracy then.”
Lost for some in the drama of the final play was the fact that Jackson missed two wide open receivers on the final drive … Both would have resulted in touchdowns.
The misses by Jackson fueled critics who feel like his passing inaccuracy is what holds him back from being an elite quarterback in the NFL.
As expected, the critics were out in full-force on social media…
“The Ravens didn’t miss by a toe – they missed with this! How tf Lamar?”
“Jackson never comes thru in the biggest moments.”
“Lamar Jackson has to make this throw. It will likely be swept under the rug, but MVPs need to make this play.”
“How does the reigning MVP miss a guy this wide open??”
“Missed two separate tying throws … Your two time MVP, people.”
“Dude is so overrated. Good but way too inconsistent to be called great.”
“Lamar with the game on the line…”
“I never want to hear Lamar Jackson in the same sentence as Joe Burrow ever again.”
“Football is about moments. … You got to take advantage of those moments. [Lamar] did not do that.”
All in all, it was a spectacular game to kick off the 2024 season.
What are your thoughts on the dramatic ending? … How do you feel about Jackson denying that Likely was out of bounds?
In the bigger picture, what are your expectations for both the Chiefs and Ravens this season?
Will Kansas City actually pull off the historic three-peat???