EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Led by a playmaking defense and a resurgent Lamar Jackson, the Ravens rolled to a comfortable season-opening win Sunday over the New York Jets, 24-9.
Jackson, playing in his first game since mid-December, continued his Week 1 mastery. With all eyes on the 2019 NFL Most Valuable Player, whose decision to play under the final year of his rookie deal amid suspended contract negotiations has made him maybe the NFL’s most watched quarterback, Jackson went 17-for-30 for 213 yards and three touchdowns and an interception. He added four carries for 19 yards inside MetLife Stadium.
Jets quarterback Joe Flacco, playing in his first game against the Ravens, whom he led to a Super Bowl title a decade ago, had a more difficult go against first-time Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. He went 36-for-58 for 304 yards — a meager 5.2 yards per attempt — a touchdown and an interception.
The Jets outgained the Ravens 378-276, but the Ravens averaged more yards per play. Flacco was harassed all game, sacked three times and hit 11 times. The Jets converted just two of 14 third-down opportunities and committed two turnovers, and their normally strong special teams struggled.
The Ravens started to put away the Jets in the third quarter. In the first half, Jackson was 10-for-16 for 83 yards. In just the third quarter, he was less accurate but more explosive: 4-for-8 for 102 yards and two touchdowns.
The Ravens restored their double-digit lead when Jackson found Duvernay open on a third-and-10 crosser. With the 17-yard score, Duvernay set career highs for both receiving yards and touchdown catches in a game, eclipsing his previous marks of 45 yards and one score. He finished with four catches for 54 yards.
After forcing a punt, Jackson didn’t wait long to expand the 17-3 lead. The Ravens gained 15 yards on their second play of the drive, then 8, then another 10 with some fumble luck, the offense moving as well as it had all afternoon. After a play-action fake, Jackson dropped back and looked downfield. He unleashed a 55-yard bomb to second-year wide receiver Rashod Bateman, who caught it in stride. It was Jackson’s 12th career touchdown in season openers.
According to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, it was Jackson’s third deep touchdown pass (20-plus yards) of the game, a career high. The ball also traveled 58.5 yards downfield, the second-most air yards on a completion of his career.
The first 30 minutes were mostly a slog. The Ravens’ second-longest first-half drive went 21 yards. They had three first downs over their first five possessions. The running game looked as tepid as it did in the preseason, finishing with 11 yards, their fewest ever with Jackson. The passing game was inefficient (5.2 yards per target), dragged down by drops and even defense-friendly completions.
Their best offense, early on, was their defense. Safety Marcus Williams, whose ballhawking abilities made him the Ravens’ top free-agent signing, intercepted a first-quarter pass after Jets tight end Lawrence Cager (Calvert Hall) slipped in the middle of the field. Williams’ return set the Ravens up at the Jets’ 13-yard line. But after three plays and 7 yards, the Ravens settled for a 24-yard field goal by kicker Justin Tucker.
Midway through the second quarter, Jackson finally got going. The Ravens hopped into Jets territory after Jackson’s deep pass to wide receiver Demarcus Robinson drew a 32-yard pass-interference penalty. On the ensuing third-and-5, Duvernay beat cornerback Bryce Hall to a well-thrown touch pass at the goal line for a 25-yard touchdown.
The Ravens headed into the locker room with just 92 yards of offense but a 10-3 lead. The Jets, who went 0-for-6 on third downs in the first half, cut the deficit just before halftime with a 45-yard field goal from kicker Greg Zuerlein.
The Ravens were playing without starting running back J.K. Dobbins, starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley and starting cornerback Marcus Peters, all of whom were ruled out with injuries. Left tackle Ja’Wuan James and cornerback Kyle Fuller left the game with injuries.
Week 2
DOLPHINS@RAVENS
Next Sunday, 1 p.m.
