Jackson’s Efficiency Keys Baltimore’s First Win

Getting Into the Win Column

It’s crazy to think a team who came up just short in last year’s AFCCG would head into Week 3 with many deeming it a “must-win game.” Winless to begin the season, the Ravens needed to get back on track in Dallas to prevent allowing their season to get away from them early. Baltimore came out ready to do just that, finding the end zone on back-to-back drives to open up the game. The offense was firing on all cylinders, establishing the run game early, exposing a major weakness of the Cowboys before they could even get situated. Lamar Jackson got to work early, attacking the Dallas defense on the ground and through the air, picking up 111 all-purpose yards and a rushing TD in the first quarter leading to two touchdown drives. The game plan was obvious, feed Derrick Henry and Jackson the rock and watch the magic happen.

Turning One-Dimensional Offensively

The Ravens passing game made the plays they needed to, despite a season-low 15 pass attempts from Jackson. Lamar spread the ball around, connecting on passes with seven different receivers for 182 yards and a TD to Rashod Bateman. Baltimore picked up their chunk plays early on drives, turning to the run game to finish them off and put points up on the board.

Jackson and the Ravens connected on two large chunk plays through the air: a 56-yard catch and run from Nelson Agholor and a 30-yard play from Charlie Kolar, both leading to Ravens touchdowns later in the drive. Jackson stayed efficient, throwing only three incomplete passes while protecting the ball for the first time this season. The Ravens coaching staff gave the fans what they’d been hoping for offensively, a dynamic run game centered around Jackson and Henry. The duo ate up yards against the Cowboys, as Henry picked up 151 on the ground along with two scores, while Jackson averaged 6.2 YPC for a total of 87 and a TD. The offensive line tuned out the criticism from a week ago en route to their highest rushing yardage in a game this season (274).

Baltimore looked poised, however, to repeat another fourth-quarter blunder, struggling to find the end zone to put the contest out of reach. Leading 28-6 heading into the fourth, the Ravens just needed one more effective drive to seal their first win of the season. The team had other plans, however. More penalty troubles, lack of yardage on the ground, and continued special teams mistakes allowed Dallas to regain the momentum they desperately needed. It’s a story that needs to change if Jackson and the Ravens have any expectations of making this a serious turnaround. The lack of scoring and ability to put teams away in the fourth quarter is becoming more troubling as the season progresses.

With Buffalo and Cincinnati upcoming, the Ravens offense will need to build off the success they had in Week 3, and execute it through all four quarters.

A Look Around the AFC North

It’s time to start the discussion: is Justin Fields the best option at QB for the Steelers? Three games, three wins for the former Bears first-rounder. Fields hasn’t lit up the stat sheet by any means, but he’s stayed efficient, allowing the Steelers to get off to an AFC North-best 3-0 start. It was a true smash-mouth and hard-fought battle between the Steelers and Chargers Sunday. Fields spread the ball around well, going 25/32 for 245 yards through the air and a TD both on the ground and in the passing game. The upgrade in play under center has allowed what was already a dangerous Steelers defense, to take more weight off their shoulders this season. It may be a hot take now, but Fields seems to fit the part as Pittsburgh’s QB of the future.

Are the Browns a legit contender this season? Despite a similar record to the Ravens, the struggles in Cleveland seem to be much more alarming. The offensive line continues to work back from injuries while the return of Nick Chubb in the run game could not come at a sooner time for the Browns. The offense is struggling immensely, regardless of the quarterback play right now. Deshaun Watson got his play somewhat on track this week, while also feeling the heat, receiving eight sacks from a nasty Giants pass-rush. Cleveland needs to figure it out and figure it out quickly as the AFC North looks to be another gauntlet this season.

For now, the Bengals remain in last place in the division ahead of their matchup tonight against the Washington Commanders. Joe Burrow and the offense seemed to right the ship last week against the Chiefs following a disappointing performance to kick off the season. The Bengals passing attack will see the return of wideout Tee Higgins, who’s set to make his season debut following a hamstring injury to begin the year. Getting Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase going is the key to the Bengals success this season. Through two games, Burrow and Chase have connected for just 97 yards averaging 9.7 YPG. Chase has yet to find the end zone this year, as speculations of his unhappiness in Cincinnati continue to grow after a long contract dispute this offseason (that still doesn’t appear to have an end in sigh)t. If Burrow and this passing game get going, the Bengals should have no issue taking care of the Commanders. Another slow start similar to their matchup with the Patriots could set the sirens off for the Bengals as they’ll risk an 0-3 start to the season.

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