Sometimes, a loss isn't the worst news from a game.
That was the case Sunday with the Ravens, who were decimated by injuries before and during the game in a 37-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Already down several starters heading into the contest, the Ravens lost quarterback Lamar Jackson (hamstring), linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring), left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle), cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf), and cornerback Nate Wiggins (elbow).
With the loss, the Ravens moved to 1-3 for the first time since 2015, when they finished 5-11.
Here's how Sunday's defeat happened:
Turning Point
Trailing 13-7 with just over three minutes left in the second quarter, the Ravens couldn't convert a fourth-and-1 in their own territory. With a free rusher barreling toward him in an empty backfield, Jackson threw an incomplete pass to give the ball back to the Chiefs. Six plays later, the Ravens gave up a touchdown and were down 20-7. The Ravens never got back within one score.
Top Play
Justice Hill took off for a 71-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter for the longest rush of his career. Hill finished with 117 total yards on eight touches and scored the Ravens' only touchdowns. He caught an 11-yard touchdown on the game's opening drive as the Ravens marched down the field to take an early lead.
Scoring Summary
| Scoring Play | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Quarter | Ravens: (9:35), Justice Hill 11-yard pass from Lamar Jackson | 7-0, Ravens |
| Chiefs: (5:40), Harrison Butker 38-yard field goal | 7-3, Ravens | |
| 2nd Quarter | Chiefs: (10:00), Harrison Butker 23-yard field goal | 7-6, Ravens |
| Chiefs: (4:00), JuJu Smith-Schuster 4-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes | 13-7, Chiefs | |
| Chiefs: (1:41), Isiah Pacheco 8-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes | 20-7, Chiefs | |
| Ravens: (0:00), Tyler Loop 43-yard field goal | 20-10, Chiefs | |
| 3rd Quarter | Chiefs: Tyquan Thornton 11-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes | 27-10, Chiefs |
| Ravens: (7:22), Tyler Loop 32-yard field goal | 27-13, Chiefs | |
| Chiefs: (1:06), Harrison Butker 31-yard field goal | 30-13, Chiefs | |
| 4th Quarter | Chiefs: (13:15), Hollywood Brown 15-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes | 37-13, Chiefs |
| Ravens: (1:56), Justice Hill 71-yard run | 37-20, Chiefs |
Statistical Breakdown
Offensive Stats
| Ravens | Chiefs | |
|---|---|---|
| Passing Leader | Lamar Jackson (147 yards) | Patrick Mahomes (270 yards) |
| Receiving Leader | Zay Flowers (74 yards) | Xavier Worthy (83 yards) |
| Rushing Leader | Justice Hill (76 yards) | Xavier Worthy (38 yards) |
Defensive Stats
| Ravens | Chiefs | |
|---|---|---|
| Sacks | 1 | 3 |
| Turnovers Forced | 0 | 2 |
Team Stats
| Ravens | Chiefs | |
|---|---|---|
| Time of Possession | 25:15 | 34:45 |
| Total Yards | 360 | 382 |
| Penalties | 6 for 56 | 5 for 40 |
| 3rd Down Efficiency | 3-of-10 | 5-of-15 |
| 1st Downs | 18 | 24 |
Stock Watch
Pass Defense
Patrick Mahomes hadn't passed for four touchdowns since Oct. 22, 2023. That changed Sunday, when he had his best performance of the season. Aided by the return of speedy wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who finished with 121 yards, Mahomes never seemed to be rattled. He finished 25-of-37 with 270 yards and zero turnovers.
Short-Yardage Situations
Jackson's incomplete pass on fourth-and-1 in the second quarter was one of several short-yardage situations that the Ravens failed to convert. The Ravens finished 4-for-14 on third and fourth down.
Up Next
The Ravens will host the Houston Texans at 1 p.m. on Oct. 5.
