The old football adage is that is it a game of inches.
That proved to be extremely true at the end of a 27-20 win for the Kansas City Chiefs over the Baltimore Ravens to kick off the NFL season Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Ravens came just inches away from scoring a clutch touchdown and pulling within a point as time expired in regulation when quarterback Lamar Jackson hit tight end Isaiah Likely in the back of the end zone on a 10-yard pass.
It looked like Likely just barely got both feet in bounds after leaping to secure the catch and it was initially ruled a touchdown. But upon video review, the call was overturned, sending the Chiefs into the win column -- but just barely.
Story continues below advertisement
How close was it? Just take a look at this incredible screenshot the NFL shared after the conclusion of the game.
It really doesn't get much closer than that.
It would have been quite the moment for Likely, who came up injured two plays prior to his near touchdown grab. The Massachusetts native still turned in a terrific performance as he finished with a game-high nine receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown.
Story continues below advertisement
The Ravens wouldn't have even been in that situation if Jackson hadn't missed a wide open Zay Flowers in the end zone on the play before the throw to Likely.
But it still goes down as a loss for the Ravens, even if it was just by a matter of inches. But sometimes, that's just the game of football.
Featured image via Denny Medley/Imagn Images
