The most unlikely catch by Ravens receiver Isaiah Likely fell incomplete.
The receiver made an impressive jump catch that was initially ruled a touchdown, but was ultimately ruled out of bounds on his toes, leading to a heartbreaking 27-20 loss to the Chiefs on Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium.
For a moment, it looked like Lamar Jackson and the Ravens had the victory when the Ravens quarterback crouched, circled the pocket and threw a prayer pass to Likely, who leapt into the air to make the catch on the edge of the end zone.
The catch was initially ruled a touchdown, but after the officials checked the catch, they found that Likely's toes were out of bounds, so the catch was ruled invalid and the game was called to an end.
“I thought it was a touchdown,” Jackson said after the loss. “I still think it was a touchdown.”
Mahomes said the final play was “nervous.”
“… It looked good from the sideline,” Mahomes said, “but when I first saw it, I saw his cleats. … Next time he's got to wear white cleats. That's my advice to him.”
The near-miracle play occurred two plays after Jackson attempted a touchdown pass to Likely in the corner of the end zone, but Likely landed hard on his side and was on the ground for several minutes.
He was helped off the field and returned for the final play.
After the play, Ravens coach John Harbaugh signaled for his team to attempt a two-point conversion for the game, but they ultimately failed to get the chance.
“I thought our guys fought through setbacks at times and fought hard and it looked like we had a chance to tie the game and get the win,” Harbaugh said. “It didn't happen at the end, but our guys fought.”
Andy Reid called the game “a game we fought to the end.”
“They say it's a game of inches, but it might be less than that,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said.
— The Associated Press
