The Kansas City Chiefs fell to the Baltimore Ravens in the season opener 38-24 in Baltimore. KC played without quarterback Matt Cassel who was inactive. He worked out before game time before coach Todd Haley made the decision to go with Brodie Croyle.
The Chiefs offense was non-existent in the first half going three and out on their first four possessions and gaining just 10 total yards. Meanwhile, Baltimore scored on their first possession on a 44 yard FG from Steve Houschka as Ravens QB Joe Flacco had an easy time with the Chiefs secondary, which was playing without Brandon Flowers who was inactive with a shoulder injury.
Baltimore made it 10-0 when Flacco led a 13 play 70 yard drive with Flacco scrambling for what seemed like an eternity before hitting Willis McGahee for a 3 yard scoring strike. The Chiefs defense rarely pressured Flacco in the first quarter who could have been texting friends while looking over the defense he had so much time.
Tyler Thigpen came in for Croyle on the first possession of the second quarter with no change offensively. But with 9:55 left in the second quarter KC’s Jon McGraw came up with a huge play as he blocked the Ravens Sam Koch’s punt and McGraw recovered in the end zone for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 10-7.
KC managed to start getting pressure on the Flacco in the second quarter with Tamba Hali forcing a fumble and Houschka missed a 41 yd FG attempt. Croyle returned at QB and the Chiefs finally recorded their first first down of the half with 2:15 to go but the Ravens controlled the first half with 20 minutes of possession and a 10-7 lead.
The defense made another big play on the first possession of the second half on the 11th play of a Baltimore drive as Derrick Johnson stepped in front of a Flacco pass for an interception and return of 70 yards to the Ravens five. Croyle then hit Dwayne Bowe for a two yard score two plays later and KC led for the first time 14-10 despite just 59 yards in total offense.
Baltimore went to the run game to pound a Chiefs defense that spent way too much time on the field with the offense unable to sustain drives. Flacco capped an 11 play 64 yard drive and beat a Chiefs blitz to hit Todd Heap for an 9 yard TD pass and a 17-14 Ravens lead.
Early in the fourth quarter first year coach Todd Haley, whose play calling had been close to the vest, had Croyle go up top to hit Mark Bradley for a 50 yard gain to the Ravens 34. KC’s drive stalled but rookie Ryan Succop hit a 53 yard FG to tie the game at 17 with 12:02 to go.
Baltimore went back on top with La’Ron McClain plunging in from the one to cap a 9 play 76 yard drive to make it 24-17. The Chiefs responded and mounted their most impressive scoring drive of the game, six plays 80 yards. With Brodie Croyle making pinpoint passes beating the Ravens blitz, KC marched down the field and Croyle hit tight end Sean Ryan for his first career score on a 10 yard pass and a 24 all tie with 5:28 to go.
But Flacco brought the Ravens back and beat a KC blitz for a 31 yard scoring strike to Mark Clayton with 2:06 to go and the Ravens led 31-24. Baltimore padded the margin with a meaningless TD with :31 to go. Flacco threw for a career high 307 yards as the Ravens piled up 501 yards in total offense.
Time of possession was key in the game with the Ravens holding an almost 2-1 advantage. Despite the loss there were bright spots. The defense and special teams each came up with big plays getting points and turnovers/ While Croyle’s performance was by no means impressive, he gave his team a chance to win with smart decisions and no turnovers and a nice fourth quarter drive to tie the game, but Croyle is still winless in nine NFL starts. KC will hope Matt Cassel is available next Sunday in the home opener against Oakland.
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