Here’s what the Baltimore Sun sports activities employees needed to say instantly after the Ravens’ 37-26 win over the New England Patriots in Sunday’s Week 3 recreation at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts:
Jonas Shaffer, reporter: A loss felt inevitable at instances late in Sunday’s win. The Ravens’ protection couldn’t get a cease. Their passing recreation was up and down. The accidents have been mounting. And then Lamar Jackson summoned the excellence that has up to now marked his count-my-money season — and the secondary lastly rose to the problem. This wasn’t a win that rubber-stamps the Ravens’ Super Bowl credentials, however it was an enormous one.
Childs Walker, reporter: The Ravens pulled out a tense street win because of a powerful all-around efficiency from their offense, a pair of well timed interceptions from Josh Bynes and Marlon Humphrey and an enormous compelled fumble by rookie Kyle Hamilton. They obtained their working recreation on observe with J.Okay. Dobbins within the lineup, Justice Hill profiting from his alternatives and Lamar Jackson dazzling as typical. Mark Andrews delivered his typical massive day, and Devin Duvernay confirmed what a useful participant he has grow to be with a 43-yard punt return and a troublesome landing catch within the nook.
All of that mentioned, this was one other alarming day for the Ravens protection towards an offense that hardly set the world on fireplace in Weeks 1 and a couple of. They prevented the catastrophic communication lapses we noticed towards the Miami Dolphins, however their cornerbacks couldn’t cowl DeVante Parker, they usually struggled to deliver down working again Rhamondre Stevenson as soon as he cleared the road of scrimmage. Their run protection, so stout final season, has grow to be an issue proper together with their protection.
They’re additionally at risk of dropping the warfare even after they win battles. Can they go even one week with out struggling a big damage? Rookie Daniel Faalele needed to step in for Patrick Mekari at left deal with, a place he regarded unprepared to play till he settled down within the second half. Nose deal with Michael Pierce and edge rusher Justin Houston, each efficient via the primary two weeks, left earlier than halftime. We noticed how this performed out final season; they will’t preserve taking these blows.
Mike Preston, columnist: The Ravens have been capable of grasp on for the victory, however this was a battle between groups that aren’t excellent. They each have plenty of holes, however the Ravens have quarterback Lamar Jackson, who makes up for lots of the workforce’s shortcomings. It’s good that it’s early within the season and each groups have time to enhance, however will they? The Ravens’ weaknesses on the offensive line and at linebacker are evident.
Ryan McFadden, reporter: The Ravens’ protection redeemed itself after getting torched by the Dolphins final week. Baltimore compelled 4 turnovers, together with three within the fourth quarter. At one level, the Ravens gave the impression to be letting one other lead slip away, however Lamar Jackson made positive his workforce didn’t repeat the previous.
C.J. Doon, editor: The Ravens discovered their lesson. With the Patriots threatening to erase one other massive fourth-quarter lead, cornerback Marlon Humphrey’s interception ultimately zone and rookie security Kyle Hamilton’s compelled fumble on an enormous catch-and-run by Nelson Agholor saved the lead intact, and Lamar Jackson added the exclamation level with a 73-yard drive capped by a 9-yard landing run with three minutes left. With 4 landing passes and one other 100 speeding yards, Jackson continued to construct his MVP case whereas giving the Ravens’ protection some respiratory room because it figures itself out.
Tim Schwartz, editor: Take a second and picture what this workforce could be with out Lamar Jackson underneath middle. It looks as if each week he’s breaking workforce or NFL data and but the Ravens nonetheless wrestle to place groups away. Four well timed second-half turnovers, because of a number of poor choices by Patriots quarterback Mac Jones and a key compelled fumble by rookie Kyle Hamilton, helped stop a second straight devastating loss. But that is the Lamar Jackson present, and we’re all simply witnesses. He is dominating defenses — he ran for 107 yards, surpassing 100 for the second straight week, and jumped proper to the entrance of the MVP dialog whereas accounting for 5 touchdowns — and has put the Ravens on his again for a 2-1 begin. With the mighty Buffalo Bills coming to city subsequent week, this was a must-win.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com