Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Baltimore Ravens at New York Jets
The New York Jets lost their 13th straight season opener this past Sunday in a 24-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium. The gloomy, cloudy, and rainy weather conditions seemed fitting for the way the Jets executed in this game.
The energy of the crowd was extremely high to begin the afternoon as they sang in unison, the National Anthem on the 21st Anniversary of the September 11th World Trade Center attacks of 2001.
The game ultimately did not match the home crowd’s energy. It seemed as though it was going to be a close one after the first quarter with the Baltimore Ravens only leading by a field goal. However, the Joe Flacco led Jets offense couldn’t get into any sort of rhythm. They punted three times in the first quarter alone and Flacco threw an interception to Marcus Peters. The Ravens then got into field goal position and took a three point lead.
The game really broke open though in the third quarter when Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson stepped up in the pocket and threw a 17 yard strike to wide receiver Devin Duvernay who was wide open for the touchdown. The Ravens went up by 14 at that point and never eased up.
Although the crowd at one point was chanting for quarterback Mike White to be put in the game, this loss was not entirely on Joe Flacco. The offensive line had Flacco running for his life for practically the entire game. Rookie Max Mitchell made his NFL debut, starting at right tackle for the injured Duane Brown.
Flacco was under constant duress, he was sacked 3 times and was hit 11 times. Add to that the interception that he threw which led to a Ravens field goal. The offense also converted just two of 14 opportunities on third down. Running back Bryce Hall also fumbled in the fourth quarter. Joe Flacco finished the day going 37 for 59 with 307 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Special teams had their struggles as well for gang green. Kicker Greg Zuerlein left four points on the table after shanking a field goal and an extra point. The pain didn’t stop there, punter Braden Mann botched a punt and sent it fluttering just 20 yards. This error set up the second Devin Duvernay touchdown of the game.
On the defensive side of the ball for the Jets, the run defense was the lone bright spot to come out of this game. From the get-go, the Jets did an outstanding job of preventing quarterback Lamar Jackson from burning them with his legs. Jackson had just 17 yards on 6 carries for the game. The entire Ravens backfield as a whole? Just 60 yards on 21 carries with zero touchdowns. Due to how well the Jets played the run, the play-action passing game was nonexistent as well.
However, at some point the defense was going to falter due to the lack of offensive production. The Jets front seven for the most part did their job but the Jet secondary is where the biggest struggles were.
Cornerback Bryce Hall got torched by wide receiver Devin Duvernay on the first 25 yard touchdown for the Ravens. Later in the third quarter, wide receiver Rashod Bateman exposed the zone coverage and blazed past both Hall and Ahmad Gardner for a 55 yard score.
If your offense can’t get anything going evidently your defense won’t be able to keep the pace. Case and point with the way the Jets performed yesterday.
The Jets look to even up their record next Sunday and will travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns at 1:00 p.m.
Things to Note:
- Running Back Michael Carter ran very strong out of the backfield and had great vision in locating the holes on a number of runs. He finished with 60 yards on 10 carries and had 40 yards receiving on seven receptions.
- It will be interesting to see how the Jets offensive line will rebound given the fact that left tackle Duane Brown was placed on injury reserve a day before today’s game. He is expected to miss at least the next month as he rehabs from a shoulder injury.
