When the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs meet, there’s always something extra on the line. Maybe it’s the AFC pecking order. Maybe it’s pride. Or maybe it’s just that every Lamar Jackson vs. Patrick Mahomes matchup feels like a prime-time heavyweight fight.
And over the years, the results have followed a frustrating pattern: Mahomes usually walks away with the win, and Jackson usually walks away wondering what more he could’ve done.
That’s how things felt in Week 1 of the 2024 season. Baltimore lost 27-20 in Kansas City — a game that nearly ended with a walk-off touchdown to Isaiah Likely. With seconds left, Jackson found Likely in the back of the end zone for what looked like the game-tying score. The ball was clearly secured. The crowd went silent. But then it went to review, and the replay showed it — his toe, clearly landing out of bounds in black cleats. So the call was reversed and the game ended.
The moment was rather shocking. It just seemed such an ill-fitting ending for such an electric opening night.
Afterward, Mahomes joked Likely should wear white cleats next time (so the replay crew would have a harder time seeing if his toe was in bounds). It was a lighthearted comment, but for Ravens fans, it was more annoying than anything, like "Okay, Pat." Eyeroll. It was a frustrating remark after who knowshow many blatant penalties went uncalled for that benefitted the Chiefs and could have changed the outcome of the game... but we digress. They were getting away with murder... but we're over it now. But it was awful.
Long story short, the white cleats moment will have its full-circle opportunity in 2025.
Isaiah Likely has no plans to switch cleats for Ravens vs. Chiefs rematch
Appearing on the Up & Adams show with Kay Adams this week, Likely was asked about it directly. “What cleats will you wear this time—white ones?” Adams asked with a smirk.
“Oh no, see I feel like everybody’s waiting for me to wear the white cleats, but in my head, just being the bad little kid, I want to wear the black ones again and score that same way,” Likely responded.
And honestly? That is the only answer Flock Nation wants to hear.
Because the thing is, Isaiah Likely eviscerated the Chiefs' defense last time. He finished with nine catches, 111 yards, and a 49-yard touchdown where he put Chiefs safety Bryan Cook into another universe with a nasty juke near the goal line.
He led the team in targets, catches, and yards. He was Jackson’s go-to weapon down the stretch and the only reason the Ravens even remotely had a shot at the end. Yeah, the foot was out of bounds. That’s football. You can’t get both feet in on every play. But the cleats didn’t beat the Ravens — and they didn’t stop Likely from dominating.
They’ll be back in Kansas City for Week 4 this season, and you can bet the cameras will be on Likely’s feet before the first snap. And that’s fine. Let everyone make their jokes. He’s not superstitious. He’s just locked in — and when you’ve got that kind of chemistry only growing more with Lamar, and that kind of confidence to boot, it doesn’t matter what’s on your feet. Look good. Feel good. Play good.
It’s still Ravens vs. Chiefs. It’s still Lamar vs. Mahomes. And now it’s also Likely vs. the nonsense. Must-watch, as always.