Blatimore Ravens silence New York Jets, while Chiefs quell Chargers

The New York Jets' first regular season game at their New Meadowlands stadium ended in a disappointing 10-9 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens, while the Kansas City Chiefs shocked the San Diego Chargers 21-14, to bring the curtain down on the opening weekend of the NFL season.

The Jets, who received plenty of attention during the off-season for appearing on a reality show and talking up their Super Bowl chances, failed to score a touchdown in what was a poor display. Against an aggressive Ravens defence, New York managed just 174 total yards with quarterback Mark Sanchez completing 10 of 21 pass attempts for only 74 passing yards.

The Jets, who came one win short of a Super Bowl appearance last season, led 6-0 after two field goals but some ill-timed penalties allowed the Ravens to grab the lead before halftime.

New York's Braylon Edwards took a penalty for roughing the kicker during a Baltimore field-goal attempt, giving the Ravens a new set of downs.

Baltimore running back Willis McGahee gave the Ravens a 7-6 lead at the half. They added a field goal in the third quarter, which proved to be enough against a blunt Jets offence. Sanchez was unable to lead his team to a game-winning touchdown and all the Jets could manage was a fourth-quarter field goal that pulled them to within one point.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs' victory over their hotly-fancied AFC West rivals provided the perfect christening for the New Arrowhead Stadium, which was unveiled after undergoing a $375 million renovation. Opening night featured plenty of fireworks and lightning but it was the Chiefs who provided a string of explosive big plays, highlighted by a club record 94-yard punt return from rookie Dexter McCluster that helped Kansas City to a 21-7 half-time lead.

Jamaal Charles also had the capacity crowd of 71,297 on its feet with a weaving 56-yard touchdown run, while Brandon Carr returned a fumble to the San Diego 12-yard line to set up a two-yard touchdown pass from Matt Cassel to Tony Moeaki. The downpours dampened the party mood but it was also a major factor in the outcome, with the rain short-circuiting the Chargers attack. "It's a win," shrugged Chiefs head coach Todd Haley. "If you expected something to look real fancy or nice I don't think that's what you're going to see here with this Chiefs team."