September 6 (UPI) – Lamar Jackson and several Baltimore Ravens players believe the referees should have allowed their last-second touchdown in their opening loss to the Kansas City Chiefs instead of overturning the decision.

Referees disallowed the hit that would have given the Ravens a chance to win the game because tight end Isaiah Likely’s right foot went out of bounds on Thursday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

“I thought it was a touchdown,” Jackson told reporters. “I still think it was a touchdown.”

The 10-yard throw came on a play that began with five seconds left. Jackson took the final snap and evaded several pass rushers, then ripped a throw into the back of the end zone. He likely jumped up and caught the pass before coming back down.

The referees initially ruled it was on the field of play, resulting in a touchdown and cutting the Ravens’ deficit to one point. The Ravens were preparing for a potentially game-winning two-point conversion when the referees convened to review the previous play.

The footage showed the toe of Likely’s right black shoe crossing the white line at the back of the end zone, leading to the pass being ruled incomplete.

“I threw it so he could do something with it,” Jackson said of his final throw. “I threw it so he could jump a little bit. I thought he did a great job, an acrobatic catch, and I think he was two feet in the game.”

Jackson completed 26 of 41 passes for 273 yards and a score. He also ran for 122 yards on 16 carries in the 27-20 loss. He probably caught nine passes for 111 yards and a score.

The Ravens trailed by 10 points in the second half before nearly winning the game with their final 11-play drive that started at their own 13-yard line. They gained 452-353 more yards than the Chiefs and held a 33-43-26-17 lead in time of possession.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who completed 20 of 28 passes for 291 yards, one touchdown and one interception, joked that Likely should wear white shoes next time so it would be harder to see if his feet stayed on the field.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said he didn’t get a good look at Likely’s feet during the last play. Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he couldn’t tell from the footage shown on the big screen at the stadium whether Likely’s foot was out of bounds and he didn’t know what the play “looked like on replay.”

Other Ravens players, including linebacker Roquan Smith and running back Derrick Henry, felt the original touchdown decision should stand.

“I didn’t think there was enough evidence to overturn the verdict,” Smith said. “But I think the arbitrators will have to deal with it when the time comes, and that’s out of my control.”

He probably said he would “live with the call.”

“You have to watch, obviously watch the film and find out where we can improve so that we don’t get into a situation where we let the referees decide the game,” Likely said.

Henry ran for 46 yards and a touchdown in his debut for the Ravens. Smith recorded seven total tackles and one interception.

Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco totaled 78 yards from the offensive zone and scored a touchdown on 17 touches. Wide receiver Rashee Rice recorded seven catches for 103 yards. Rookie playmaker Xavier Worthy, who scored on his first NFL touchdown with a 21-yard run, also recorded two catches for 47 yards and a touchdown.

The Ravens will host the Las Vegas Raiders in their second game on September 15 at 1:00 p.m. EDT in Baltimore. The Chiefs will face the Cincinnati Bengals on September 15 at 4:25 p.m. in Kansas City, Missouri.