If you’re looking for the ravens vs kansas city score from their most recent clash, you’re likely staring at a 37-20 victory for the Chiefs. That game went down on September 28, 2025. It wasn't particularly pretty for Baltimore fans. Patrick Mahomes looked like his old self, carving up a Ravens defense that was basically a walking infirmary ward by the time the fourth quarter rolled around.
But honestly? Just looking at the final digits on a scoreboard doesn't tell half the story of why this matchup has become the most stressful three hours on the NFL calendar.
For the last couple of years, this hasn't just been a football game. It's been a psychological hurdle that Lamar Jackson and the Ravens can’t quite seem to clear. Every time they meet, whether it’s a season opener or a playoff showdown, it feels like Baltimore is fighting both the Chiefs and their own shadow.
The Most Recent Heartbreak: September 28, 2025
The 37-20 scoreline from this past September is a bit deceptive if you didn't watch the game live. Early on, it felt like a heavyweight bout. Justice Hill hauled in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Lamar Jackson to put Baltimore up 7-0. The energy was there. The plan seemed solid.
Then, things started to unravel.
Lamar Jackson had to leave the game with a hamstring injury. When your two-time MVP goes down, the vibe in the huddle shifts instantly. The Ravens were already missing seven defensive starters. Against Patrick Mahomes? That’s like bringing a knife to a tank fight. Mahomes threw for 270 yards and four touchdowns, connecting with four different receivers in the end zone.
👉 See also: Why the 2025 NFL Draft Class is a Total Headache for Scouts
By the time Tyquan Thornton and Marquise Brown were dancing in the end zone in the second half, the game was essentially over. Baltimore struggled. They managed 168 rushing yards—Derrick Henry is still a beast, after all—but the efficiency just wasn't there.
Quick Stats from the 37-20 Game:
- Chiefs Passing: Patrick Mahomes: 25/38, 270 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INT.
- Ravens Rushing: Team total of 168 yards (Lamar was moving well before the injury).
- Turnovers: Baltimore gave it up twice; Kansas City played a clean game.
- Key Moment: Xavier Worthy’s return from a shoulder injury provided the spark KC needed to pull away in the third quarter.
The "Toe" Game: Why the 27-20 Opener Still Hurts
If you go back to the 2024 season opener, the ravens vs kansas city score was even tighter: 27-20. This is the one people still talk about at bars in Fells Point.
Five seconds left. Baltimore is down by seven. Lamar Jackson escapes a collapsing pocket—because that’s what he does—and finds Isaiah Likely in the back of the end zone. The stadium goes silent. It looks like a touchdown. The Ravens are a two-point conversion away from winning the whole thing right there.
Then came the replay.
Likely’s toe was out. By an inch. Maybe less.
✨ Don't miss: Liverpool FC Chelsea FC: Why This Grudge Match Still Hits Different
"When they say it's a game of inches, it might be shorter than that," Andy Reid said after the game. He wasn't kidding. That loss set a tone for the Ravens that they’ve been trying to shake off ever since. It showed that even when Baltimore plays a nearly perfect game, the margin for error against Kansas City is non-existent.
The AFC Championship Ghost
We can’t talk about these scores without mentioning the 17-10 defensive slog in the AFC Championship back in January 2024. That was the game where Baltimore was the #1 seed. They had the home-field advantage. The city was on fire.
And they only scored 10 points.
Zay Flowers had that massive 54-yard catch, followed by a taunting penalty, followed by a fumble at the goal line. It was a sequence of self-destruction that defined the game. While the Chiefs' defense, led by Steve Spagnuolo, absolutely suffocated the Ravens' run game, Mahomes and Travis Kelce did just enough early on to coast. Kelce finished with 11 catches for 116 yards. He was a mismatch the Ravens couldn't solve.
Lamar vs. Mahomes: The Head-to-Head Reality
It’s the comparison everyone hates, but you can't ignore it. Heading into 2026, the head-to-head record is heavily skewed. Patrick Mahomes is 5-1 against Lamar Jackson.
🔗 Read more: NFL Football Teams in Order: Why Most Fans Get the Hierarchy Wrong
Lamar is incredible. He has the MVPs. He has the highlight reels. But GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium has become a bit of a house of horrors for him. He’s 0-3 as a starter in that stadium.
| Metric | Lamar Jackson (vs KC) | Patrick Mahomes (vs BAL) |
|---|---|---|
| Passer Rating | 82.4 | 117.9 |
| Passing TDs | 6 | 17 |
| Interceptions | 3 | 3 |
| Rushing Yards | 473 | 43 |
The disparity in passing touchdowns is the real kicker. Mahomes seems to find another gear when the Ravens are across the line of scrimmage. He averages nearly three passing touchdowns per game against Baltimore, while the Ravens usually rely on their ground game to keep things competitive.
What’s Next for This Rivalry?
Baltimore fans are tired of "moral victories" and "close calls." The 37-20 ravens vs kansas city score from late 2025 showed that the gap might actually be widening if the Ravens can't stay healthy.
The strategy has to change. You can’t just out-physical the Chiefs anymore because their defense has become arguably as good as their offense. Baltimore needs to find a way to finish in the red zone—an area where they’ve historically struggled against KC, going 1-for-4 in that heartbreaking 2024 opener.
Actionable Takeaways for the Next Matchup:
- Watch the Injury Report: The 2025 blowout was heavily influenced by Baltimore's missing starters. If Roquan Smith and Kyle Hamilton aren't 100%, Mahomes will pick them apart.
- Red Zone Efficiency: The Ravens have to stop settling for Justin Tucker field goals. Tucker is the GOAT, but 3 points don't beat 7 in this rivalry.
- The "X" Factor: Keep an eye on Xavier Worthy. His speed has changed how the Chiefs attack Baltimore's secondary, stretching the field in ways that open up the middle for Kelce.
- Pressure without Blitzing: When the Ravens blitz Mahomes, he usually burns them. They need to get home with a four-man rush to have a real chance at keeping the score down.
The rivalry isn't dead, but it’s definitely one-sided right now. Until the Ravens can walk out of Arrowhead with a win, the ravens vs kansas city score will continue to be a sore spot for the Flock. Check the schedule for their next meeting—it’s usually the most-watched game of the week for a reason.
To stay ahead of the next game, keep a close eye on the mid-week practice reports, specifically regarding Lamar Jackson's mobility and the status of the Ravens' secondary, as these have been the deciding factors in the last three scores.