Ravens' Heartbroken After Crucial Call:Unfortunate Twist: Ravens' TD Hopes Dashed by Officials
The Baltimore Ravens suffered a bitter defeat in their recent matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, largely due to a controversial overturned touchdown call that turned the tide of the game. The Ravens' players and fans were left feeling heartbroken and frustrated after the crucial decision by the officials.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Following the Baltimore Ravens' heartbreaking loss by a mere toe Thursday night, quarterback Lamar Jackson expressed his disbelief over the overturned touchdown call.
Jackson argued that Isaiah Likely's last-second touchdown should not have been reversed, leading to a devastating 27-20 defeat against the Kansas City Chiefs in their season opener. Initially, an official ruled in favor of Likely, declaring he had both feet inbounds in the back of the end zone. This would have given Baltimore a chance to snatch victory with a successful two-point conversion. However, a subsequent replay review determined that the front of Likely's right foot made contact with the white out-of-bounds line.
"I firmly believe it was a touchdown," Jackson stated. "I still maintain that it was a touchdown."
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Jackson and the Ravens fell to 1-5 against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, but they nearly pulled off one of their most thrilling comebacks. With five seconds left and at the Kansas City 10-yard line, Jackson stepped up into the pocket and ran in a circle before launching a pass to Likely in the back of the end zone as time expired.
Likely leaped to catch the ball and came down with Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton draped on his back. The official put both hands in the air to signal touchdown, and Likely tossed the ball in the air in celebration.
"The ref looked at me, I look at the ref, and when he signaled touchdown, I thought it was what it was," Likely said. "Then, obviously we were going to win the game."
If the touchdown had counted, Baltimore would've been down 27-26 with no time left. The Ravens were about to line up to go for two points and attempt to win the game before the officials changed the ruling.
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"The runner's toe hit out of bounds," referee Shawn Hochuli announced. "It's an incomplete pass. The game is over. Kansas City has won."
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said he didn't have a good view of whether Likely was inbounds.
"The guys upstairs saw it, and so they knew he was out," Reid said. "We were just waiting after that.''
Likely, who finished with career highs of nine catches and 111 yards, appeared to injure his shoulder after landing in the corner of the end zone two plays earlier. Jackson then threw an incompletion to the end zone, and Likely returned to the field, almost scoring the biggest touchdown of his three-year career.
If the Ravens had pulled off the upset, it would've ended the Chiefs' streak of 23 consecutive wins when leading by 10 points or more entering the fourth quarter.
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Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens fell to 1-5 against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, but they narrowly missed out on a thrilling comeback victory. With just five seconds remaining and at the Kansas City 10-yard line, Jackson stepped up in the pocket, executed a spin move, and launched a pass to Isaiah Likely in the back of the end zone as time expired.
Likely soared through the air to catch the ball, landing with Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton draped on his back. The official raised both hands, signaling a touchdown, and Likely tossed the ball in celebration.
"I exchanged glances with the referee, and when he indicated a touchdown, I assumed that was the final outcome," Likely stated. "We were undoubtedly on the verge of winning the game."
Had the touchdown been upheld, Baltimore would have trailed 27-26 with no time left on the clock. The Ravens were poised to attempt a two-point conversion for a potential game-winning victory before the officials reversed the ruling.
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"The runner's toe made contact with the out-of-bounds line," announced referee Shawn Hochuli. "The play is ruled incomplete. The game is over. Kansas City has emerged victorious."
Chiefs coach Andy Reid admitted that he did not have a clear view of whether Likely was inbounds.
"The officials in the booth reviewed the play and determined that he was out of bounds," Reid explained. "We simply waited for their decision."
Likely, who recorded career-highs of nine catches and 111 yards, appeared to sustain a shoulder injury after landing in the corner of the end zone on a previous play. Despite the pain, Jackson targeted Likely again, and the receiver nearly secured the biggest touchdown of his three-year career.
If the Ravens had managed to upset the Chiefs, it would have ended Kansas City's streak of 23 consecutive wins when holding a 10-point or greater lead entering the fourth quarter.
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"At this point, we simply have to accept the call," Isaiah Likely remarked. "We need to move forward, analyze the film, and identify areas where we can improve to avoid placing ourselves in a position that relies on the officials to make a crucial decision."
Baltimore Ravens middle linebacker Roquan Smith expressed his surprise at the overturned touchdown.
"I didn't believe there was sufficient evidence to reverse the call," Smith stated. "However, I understand that the officials will have to address such situations in the future, and it's beyond my control."
