Xavier Worthy deserves the game ball from Chiefs in first-ever NFL appearance

While the primary talking points from the Kansas City Chiefs' exhilarating 27-20 victory over the Baltimore Ravens will focus on players from the losing team, that doesn't mean the back-to-back defending Super Bowl champions didn't provide some amazing plays and game-changing moments themselves.

Let's hand out our game balls for the Chiefs from Week 1 to celebrate the team's first victory of the season and the start of a three-peat campaign.

Offensive Game Ball - Xavier Worthy

It was a great first glimpse at what the fastest player in NFL Combine history could truly bring to the field and he did not disappoint. Not only did Xavier Worthy prove he was fast on Thursday, he also showed he was a versatile weapon that could be deployed in the backfield or catching passes up the sideline.

Much like Jameson Williams did in Detroit, Worthy's first touch of his NFL career was a touchdown. Worthy did so by showing off the afterburners as he split defenders on a sweep rush to the right for 21 yards and the Chiefs' first score of the 2024 season.

After scoring in the first quarter, Worthy continued to prove why the Buffalo Bills should have reconsidered trading their 28th overall pick to Kansas City this past April. He caught a short pass for 12 yards in the middle of the second half for a first down and then capitalized with 10:25 to go in the game.

What ended up being the final dagger in the Ravens came when Worthy blew past three-time Pro Bowler Marlon Humphrey at the line to find one of the easiest 35-yard touchdowns you'll see in the NFL.

When the clock struck zero, Worthy had collected two catches for 47 yards, one rush for 21 yards, two touchdowns and the game ball in his first-ever NFL game. It's easy to see why Worthy is the game ball winner in this game and it's easy to see why the Chiefs traded up for him.

Honorable Mention - Rashee Rice

After a dreadful summer filled with legal issues, the second-year receiver out of SMU put on a clinic over the middle of the field hauling in 7 catches for 103 yards including a big gain of 33 yards right after halftime. He definitely silenced some people tonight.

Defensive Game Ball - Leo Chenal

The Chiefs' defense had some very rough series during the banner night game against Baltimore. The third-down defense started poorly, allowing two big conversions on the first drive of the game, and they allowed over 450 yards by the end of play.

But, through all the detrimental smoke were some shining lights, and none were brighter than third-year linebacker Leo Chenal.

Although it may not show in the stat book, Chenal played his tail off and was the most successful QB spy on the illustrious Lamar Jackson. He ended the game with seven tackles—one for a loss—and a team-high two pass deflections, but he did so much more between the numbers.

Sadly, Chenal's night ended early when his teammate Nick Bolton connected with him instead of Baltimore's Jackson on a tackle late in the game. Bolton, who was already having one of his poorer outings, walked away unscathed alongside Jackson while Chenal stayed on the field clutching his helmet.

If Chenal clears protocol and is healthy for the future, he could very easily continue his recent dominance at the linebacker position behind a hungry Chris Jones.

Honorable Mention - Chris Jones

Fans were waiting to see just how much the highest-paid defensive tackle in the game would come out after getting paid this offseason, and he showed them he hasn't missed a step. Jones not only applied constant pressure on the two-time MVP, but he also recorded his first sack of the season and forced a fumble that was recovered by K-State alum Felix Anudike-Uzomah.

Special Teams Game Ball - Harrison Butker

Mecole Hardman and the new, exciting fullback on the team, Carson Steele, both returned the league's new "Dynamic Kickoff" and had respectable returns of 29 and 28 yards, respectively.

But, as always, the special teams of Kansas City runs through the leg of the highest-paid kicker in the league. Harrison Butker, the man who caused a ruckus this offseason with a few words, ended up perfect once again with five kicks through the uprights on the night.

Two-for-two on field goals, one from 32 and the other from 31 yards, as well as three made extra points for a grand total of nine points on the board. It's easy to see why he got paid and why he is so important to the team.

Honorable Mention - Nazeeh Johnson

The Chiefs' final drive of the game went 12 yards in five plays, and the subsequent punt was the bottom bun of the heart attack burger that engulfed the final series of the game, but then Johnson made a spectacular solo tackle. The return by Deonte Harty only went three yards and forced Jackson to lead an 87-yard comeback drive.