Ravens fans outraged after Chiefs win Week 1 opener by 'inches': "RIGGED!" 

The Baltimore Ravens versus Kansas City Chiefs matchup opened the 2024 NFL season, but Baltimore fans were left ruing their chances yet again, just like in the AFC Championship Game earlier this year. And the way the loss came about was undoubtedly heartbreaking for them.

Trailing 27-20, the Ravens got the ball in the two-minute warning and conjured a drive to try and tie the game. With less than two minutes left, Lamar Jackson led the team to a position to score a touchdown with all four downs in hand. After a couple of incompletions, the quarterback connected with tight end Isaiah Likely on his third try just as the clock hit triple zero.

Had that stood, a touchdown would have tied the game, and they could have won it had they gone for the two-point conversion. But as it happened, the wide receiver's toe scraped the whitewash by inches and that was enough to rule it out of bounds and end the game.

While there was no debate about the decision being overturned, having been awarded as a touchdown on the field, Ravens fans felt it was just an insane amount of luck for the Chiefs. Considering how many people feel that Kansas City rode their luck to the Super Bowl last season, they felt it was just a continuation of the NFL favoring Patrick Mahomes and scripting results.

They took to X/Twitter, to share their reactions, and here are some of them:

"Lets all congratulate the Kansas City Chiefs and The Kansas City Refs on the week 1 win!" one fan said.

"At Arrowhead. First game of the season. With the refs against them for 85% of the game... can’t even be upset as a ravens fan. Next game up!" another said.

"Would’ve been a way different game if it was officiated fairly," one fan added.

Lamar Jackson's misses haunt Ravens fans in loss to Chiefs

Talks about rigging are commonplace from rival fans when it comes to the two-time reigning Super Bowl champions. Their seemingly flukey ability to eke out wins often bothers opposing fanbases.

But, instead of shouting "rigged", Ravens fans may have to hold Lamar Jackson accountable. After leading a great drive, he did not deliver in the red zone. With his first pass of their final first down, the quarterback had Isaiah Likely open in the end zone and missed despite the receiver having gained separation.

On his next attempt, Zay Flowers was standing unattended in the end zone but Lamar Jackson failed to connect with him. There was likely no necessity for this game to come down to inches if the 2023 league MVP had made those two throws. That he failed to do so will only ratchet up the pressure on him as they take on the Las Vegas Raiders at home in Week 2 on Sept. 15.