The Kansas City Chiefs made key investments in the speed of their offense this offseason coming off their second Super Bowl title — signing Hollywood Brown and trading up four spots in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft to select Xavier Worthy.
As the Chiefs began their quest for a third straight Super Bowl against the Baltimore Ravens, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his offense took full advantage of one of those investments in a 27-20 win at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday night. That Kansas City offense looked just as sharp as they did seven months ago in Las Vegas at Super Bowl LVIII, and somehow even quicker.
The added wrinkle of Worthy led to two touchdowns Thursday, first on a 21-yard sprint to score the Chief’s first points of the season, and later off a Mahomes pass, which came on a 35-yard catch and run. He finished with just three touches for 68 yards and two scores.
TOUCHDOWN NUMBER 2 FOR 1‼️ pic.twitter.com/f6RohvdXNi
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) September 6, 2024
Worthy’s impressive debut didn’t mean Mahomes’ top targets from last season were neglected. The All-Pro also connected with receiver Rashee Rice seven times for 103 yards and tight end Travis Kelce three times for 34 yards.
In the first half, which was delayed by pregame thunderstorms, Mahomes wasted no time in added to his growing legacy. He surpassed Len Dawson — who threw for 28,507 yards in 183 career games— to become the Chiefs’ all-time leader in passing yards. Mahomes went on to throw for 291 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the win.
The play that made Patrick Mahomes the Chiefs all-time passing leader 🏆 pic.twitter.com/QNdFaRYRyJ
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) September 6, 2024
Mahomes was already the franchise’s leader in completions and will likely become the Chiefs career passing touchdowns leader this season as he trails Dawson by 17.
The Chiefs’ banner-hanging night and Mahomes’ historic evening were nearly forced to endure overtime, however, as a last-second pass from Ravens reigning MVP Lamar Jackson to Isaiah Likely was nearly completed for a tying touchdown as time expired. Upon review, Likely’s toe was seen to be just out of bounds.
The loss spoiled an elite performance by Jackson, who boasted one of his best scrambling performances in years as he tallied 395 total yards on the ground and through the air as he attempted willed Baltimore’s comeback singlehandily.
(Photo: Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
