A furious comeback attempt by the Baltimore Ravens in Kansas City narrowly failed.

The Ravens trailed by double digits in the fourth quarter, but Lamar Jackson powered Baltimore with two long drives to give them a chance to win. A 13-play drive gave Baltimore a chip-shot field goal to pull within 27-20. After the defense made a stop, the Ravens ran 77 yards to the brink of another score. Two missed shots by Jackson set up the final attempt with five seconds left.

Jackson evaded Chiefs’ Chris Jones coming from the side and threw a quick pass to tight end Isaiah Likely in the back of the end zone. The TE jumped up to catch the ball and was shoved by KC linebacker Nick Bolton on the way down. The refs ruled it a touchdown before a video review showed the edge of Likely’s toe landed a little in the white paint.

Jackson was not convinced that the evidence was true.

“I thought it was a touchdown,” Jackson said after the loss, according to the team’s transcript. “I thought it was a touchdown. I still think it’s a touchdown.”

Likely also seemed unconvinced that his toe was out, noting, “At this point, you just have to live with the decision,” but he stopped short of denying the evidence.

“That’s up to me,” he said. “I just have to be there with both feet. I feel like I have to see everything and make sure everyone gives us the best chance, so I take responsibility. Next time I’ll be there with both feet.”

The ending was almost the perfect cap to an extraordinary night for the third-year pro. Likely set career highs with nine pass catches for 111 yards and added a touchdown. He became Baltimore’s first tight end to rush for over 100 yards in more than a season – since he reached that plateau as a rookie in Week 18 of 2022.

The highlight was a 49-yard touchdown catch-and-run, with the athletic tight end showing off his athleticism in space and executing wide receiver-like feints in space. Two plays before the toe-triggering final play, Likely went down injured in the back of the end zone, but after missing a snap, he returned and nearly helped lead the comeback.

“Isaiah just played a great football game, the craziest game ever,” coach John Harbaugh said. “He made so many plays, especially in the final period, play after play. … I thought Isaiah played a great football game. I was proud of him and a lot of the other guys.”

The Ravens fought back late, but repeated errors throughout the game ruined their chance for the surprise away win. Baltimore was assessed seven penalties (64 yards), including a series of procedural errors against offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley. Justin Tucker missed an early 53-yard field goal. The defense was brought to its knees by Rashee Rice with slants. The offensive line struggled early on. Jackson missed several passes, especially in the final sequence.

“This is the worst game we’re going to play all season,” said linebacker Roquan Smith. “I can promise you that.”

He probably repeated those sentiments, but also took a swipe at the Chiefs.

“I would say this is probably the worst game we’ll play all year, so if this is their best game, good luck in the postseason,” he said.

Given their own drops, fumbles and mistakes that delayed the drive, the Chiefs certainly wouldn’t call this their best game either.

The Ravens fell short of expectations, similar to how they ended the 2023 season in the AFC Championship game. After an exciting start, we hope to see another battle in January.