Jackson Underwhelming in Loss to Vegas

Another Week, Another Head-Scratching Loss

It’s been 240 days since the Ravens’ last victory, a 34-10 win over the C.J. Stroud-led Texans in the AFC Divisional Round. Since then, Baltimore has suffered three head-scratching losses in a row dating back to last season. Despite only being Week 2, Sunday’s loss may have been the ugliest of them all. Coming in as nine-point favorites against the Raiders, the gameplan to victory seemed to rely on two factors: How well could the Ravens offensive line hold up against such a ferocious Raiders pass rush? And could the league’s best defense from a year ago contain what seems like a one-dimensional offense, centered around Davante Adams success?

Well unfortunately for the Ravens, both Las Vegas stars showed up to play Sunday. Maxx Crosby was disrupting plays early, making it nearly impossible for the Ravens offense to move the chains. As the game got longer, Adams only seemed to get hotter, finishing with nine catches for 110 yards and a momentum-changing TD.

Yet again, Ravens fans are left questioning the coaching staff’s decision making.

Is Lamar’s Statline Misleading?

The Ravens fell to the Chiefs in Week 1 by a toenail, despite their franchise quarterback showing flashes of his 2019 explosiveness. Sunday’s matchup with the Raiders however, featured an underwhelming performance from Lamar Jackson. Outside of Zay Flowers, Jackson just never seemed to get on the same page with his receivers. For the second straight week, the Ravens’ passing game just couldn’t seem to scheme up anything successful. Jackson and Rashod Bateman still can’t seem to jell in year 4, Mark Andrews continues to look questionable after missing almost all of camp, and the run game is more unsuccessful than not. It’s year 2 of Todd Monken’s offense, yet this team looks as if they’re still learning the playbook.

Looking beyond just the statline, it was ultimately a performance not worth writing home about for the now 2x MVP. Jackson just can’t seem to connect with his receivers on downfield passes still, going 0/2 on attempts over 20+ yards. It was also one of Jackson’s worst advanced rushing performances, picking up -9 rushing yards over expected, the lowest RYOE in his career according to Next Gen Stats. Jackson was however, able to find consistent success in the intermediate passing game (8/10 for 127 and a TD on passes 10-19 YDS) but only what seemed to be on connections with Flowers.

It’s clear that something has got to give with the Ravens offense. Yes, it’s Week 2 but yet again, it feels as we’re not getting the full potential out of this offense. Jackson and Monken need to figure it out, and figure it out fast as Baltimore faces a tough three-game stretch ahead with Dallas, Buffalo, and Cincinnati hungry for statement wins.

A Look Around the AFC North

As you wake up this morning, you may be shocked to see the Ravens and Bengals sitting in the basement of the AFC North, at 0-2 to begin the 2024 season. Joe Burrow and the Bengals came up short in KC, a feeling Baltimore fans dealt with just a week ago. Following an ugly Week 1 performance, the Bengals quarterback turned it around, throwing for 258 and tossing 2 TDs in Arrowhead. However, a late call in favor of the Chiefs set up Harrison Butker for a game-winning FG, giving KC a 26-25 walk-off win.

The Browns continue to rely on their defense, despite having a $230 million dollar quarterback. Deshaun Watson failed to crack 200 yards through the air again, passing for just 186 yards on 22/34. Missing Nick Chubb for at least the first four games of the season, Cleveland was relying on Watson to finally return to his once dominant days as a Texan. However, through two starts this year, Watson has only produced a statline of 355 passing yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, and eight sacks. It’s hard to imagine the Browns can repeat last season’s success with Watson playing like this.

With Russell Wilson sidelined for the first two games with a calf strain, the Steelers have turned to Justin Fields to begin the year. Fields has done enough to this point to lead Pittsburgh to a 2-0 start and a first place spot in the AFC North. Fields was okay, to say the least, in the Steelers’ win over the Broncos Sunday. His line of 13 of 20 for 117 YDS and a TD isn’t eye-popping, but it’s what Pittsburgh needs as they continue to find their identity in new OC Arthur Smith’s offense. It’ll be interesting to see what Mike Tomlin and company look to do when Wilson returns. If the Steelers keep winning, will they roll with Fields their hopeful QB of the future? Or do they turn to the veteran in Wilson, and potentially risk shaking up the already building chemistry?

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