Here’s what the Baltimore Sun sports activities employees needed to say instantly after the Ravens’ beautiful 42-38 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Sunday’s dwelling opener at M&T Bank Stadium:
Childs Walker, reporter: That nightmare of a fourth quarter gained’t be simple to neglect.
In quarter-hour of horrid soccer, the Ravens wasted top-of-the-line performances of Lamar Jackson’s profession and left us with severe questions in regards to the well being of their protection. They flirted with hazard after they began the sport with a kickoff return landing, an interception and an 18-play drive solely to be tied at 7 early within the second quarter.
Jackson wiped away any notion that they might squander their quick begin, taking part in one of many sharpest halves of his profession in opposition to a protection that rattled him final November in Miami. He was aided by wonderful move safety and powerful video games from his prime two targets, Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews. The Ravens appeared set to run away from the Dolphins after they went up three touchdowns with 26 seconds to go within the third quarter. But their protection couldn’t maintain the lead.
The dominant entrance seven we noticed in Week 1 in opposition to the New York Jets was nowhere in proof. A secondary counting on injured veterans and untested rookies couldn’t forestall Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle (361 mixed yards) from breaking massive performs. Linebacker Patrick Queen adopted up one among his greatest video games with a poor outing. Only Marcus Williams’ sticky arms (two extra interceptions) saved this from being a 60-minute defensive catastrophe.
Two weeks in, we now have no clear picture of this Ravens staff. Injuries are nonetheless holding again their secondary and working recreation, that are alleged to be the pillars of the operation. Jackson has been a magician, however he can’t patch over each gap.
Mike Preston, columnist: The similar issues that plagued the Ravens final yr damage them once more Sunday. The move rush is healthier than a yr in the past, however the Ravens can’t cowl within the secondary. They acquired beat bodily, and generally the Ravens’ defenders appeared to haven’t any clue about their assignments. It was one other meltdown and one other catastrophe.
Ryan McFadden, reporter: Speechless. Lamar Jackson was past wonderful, however his historic efficiency was overshadowed by a defensive meltdown that had everybody inside M&T Bank Stadium surprised. The Dolphins outscored the Ravens 35-10 within the second half, together with a 28-point efficiency within the fourth quarter. Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill had Ravens defensive backs wanting misplaced whereas Baltimore’s move rush was nonexistent when it mattered most.
C.J. Doon, editor: The solely solace I can supply Ravens followers is that there are 15 extra video games left to place this one in your rearview. Just about all the things that would go fallacious within the fourth quarter did, from blown coverages within the secondary to missed possibilities on offense. If there’s one lesson to take from this one, it’s that Lamar Jackson can’t do all the things by himself.
Tim Schwartz, editor: So a lot for the secondary being some extent of energy, not less than on Sunday. The Ravens’ meltdown was onerous to observe, however chasing across the league’s most dynamic huge receiver duo of Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill for 4 lengthy quarters will put on down any protection. It was early within the recreation and onerous to recollect, however that fumble on the snap on the 1-yard line within the first quarter got here again to hang-out Baltimore, which can occur in opposition to good groups.
The Ravens might be OK, however this one might be onerous to abdomen, particularly in opposition to a staff they’ll possible be competing with for a playoff spot within the AFC. Even with Lamar Jackson doing what makes him one among a sort, turning into the primary participant in NFL historical past to have a passing landing and a dashing landing of not less than 75 yards in the identical recreation, it wasn’t sufficient. That has to harm.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com