Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) runs the ball as Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (0) defends during the first half. Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Ravens' fighting words turn Chiefs rivalry up a notch

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated Sep 6, 2024 9:14 AM ET

The Baltimore Ravens fell to the Kansas City Chiefs 27-20 by a matter of literal inches during the NFL's season opener on Thursday.

Following the loss, both Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely and linebacker Roquan Smith took shots at the Chiefs, which will surely take the teams' rivalry up a notch.

Baltimore's All-Pro pass-rusher called out Kansas City tight end Peyton Hendershot (who wasn't in uniform for Week 1), claiming he shoved him from behind on the sideline after a play was over. Smith added that he didn't know who Hendershot was, only identifying him by his uniform number.

#Ravens LB Roquan Smith on #Chiefs TE Peyton Hendershot: “He better watch himself. … I’ll see him when I see him.”

Hendershot shoved Smith after he pushed Patrick Mahomes out of bounds in the 4th quarter. No penalty was called.
pic.twitter.com/zyKin5mkCr
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 6, 2024

Smith had a big game in the defeat, recording a team-high seven tackles, one interception, one pass defended and one tackle for loss.

Likely, meanwhile, was Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson's favorite target, producing game highs in targets (12), receptions (nine) and receiving yards (111) and adding a touchdown. His reception and receiving yardage totals were also career highs for the third-year pro.

On the final play of the contest, however, Likely was unable to get both of his feet down inbounds as he hauled in a short, would-be touchdown pass from Jackson in the back of the end zone.

The 24-year-old said he wasn't worried about the Thursday night setback and sounded somewhat cocky when discussing the team's chances against the Chiefs if they played in the playoffs again.

Ravens TE Isaiah Likely on nearly beating the Chiefs in Arrowhead: "I'd say this is probably the worst game we're going to play all year. So, if this is the best that they got, good luck in the postseason."
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 6, 2024

The comments from Likely and Smith follow kicker Justin Tucker's viral pregame incident involving Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce ahead of January's AFC Championship Game. Mahomes and Kelce seemingly tossed aside Tucker's equipment during warmups. It occurred near the end zone as the two-time MVP signal-caller attempted to get some practice throws in.

Like Thursday, Baltimore came up short by a touchdown against Kansas City in the postseason tilt, 17-10.

Victor Barbosa

Victor Barbosa is a passionate follower of MLB, the NBA and NFL, with a deep interest in Boston-area teams. He graduated from Springfield College -- The Birthplace of Basketball -- in 2013 with a degree in Communications-Sports Journalism. Previous bylines include FanSided, Heavy and Syracuse

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