By NOAH TRISTER
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — For three quarters, Baltimore appeared like a Super Bowl contender. Lamar Jackson was sensational, and the Ravens produced large performs passing, working and on particular groups.
Then their one large weak point — cross protection — undid all of that good work.
Baltimore ranked final within the NFL in opposition to the cross a season in the past, and after making an attempt to bolster the secondary with offseason additions, the Ravens clearly nonetheless have an extended strategy to go. Some of that’s as a result of the defensive backfield isn’t completely wholesome, however within the fourth quarter of their 42-38 loss to Miami on Sunday, they allowed lengthy touchdowns that shouldn’t occur in opposition to a crew defending a cushty lead.
“They were just blown coverages, basically,” coach John Harbaugh mentioned Monday.
Jackson threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns and in addition had an extended TD run. Devin Duvernay ran the opening kickoff again 103 yards for a landing. Baltimore led 35-14 within the fourth quarter earlier than Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins got here storming again. Tagovailoa completed the sport with six TD passes, together with the game-winner with 14 seconds left.
Miami went 68 yards in six performs on the successful drive, and the Ravens (1-1) weren’t in a position to put up a lot resistance, nevertheless it was two earlier landing passes within the fourth — of 48 and 60 yards to Tyreek Hill — that actually stood out. The Baltimore protection was badly overwhelmed deep each occasions.
WHAT’S WORKING
Even after the Ravens traded Marquise Brown within the offseason, Jackson seems to have loads of good targets. Rashod Bateman, who caught a 55-yard landing cross within the opener in opposition to the New York Jets, scored on a 75-yard catch-and-run in opposition to Miami and appears like a serious risk.
WHAT NEEDS WORK
The Ravens added security Marcus Williams within the offseason, and he already has three interceptions in two video games. But this was in any other case a whole mess for the secondary, and Harbaugh was candid about it.
“We’ll look at the way we’re preparing, how we’re walking through, how we’re teaching, how we’re repping in practice, things like that,” Harbaugh mentioned. “Those are things that should never happen. They’re below the line. I did not expect those things to happen in this game, but I also understand that we have some young guys back there.”
The Ravens had been coping with well being issues within the secondary. Marlon Humphrey performed however has been nursing a groin harm, and Marcus Peters was in his first sport again after lacking all of final season with a knee harm. Safety Kyle Hamilton was a first-round decide, however he’s nonetheless early in his rookie season.
There’s definitely potential for enchancment, however this was a foul signal for a crew that faces Joe Burrow twice this season — with Josh Allen and Tom Brady on the schedule too.
STOCK UP
It’s laborious for Jackson’s inventory to rise an excessive amount of greater provided that he’s a 25-year-old star with an MVP to his credit score, however this sport felt like a step ahead for him. He picked aside a protection that appeared to have solved him 10 months earlier, and at one level it appeared like he may end the sport with an ideal passer ranking.
And in fact, his 79-yard landing run was a spotlight.
Jackson’s general efficiency final weekend makes it tougher to argue that groups can cease the Ravens by forcing them to cross.
STOCK DOWN
While the secondary takes a lot of the criticism, the cross rush wasn’t a lot of an element both. Tagovailoa was elusive at occasions and did a great job releasing the ball rapidly. Linebacker Odafe Oweh has acquired defensive grades below 50 from Pro Football Focus in every of the primary two video games this season. That solely occurred to him as soon as final season as a rookie.
“Got to play better, like all of us do,” Harbaugh mentioned. “We’ve got to coach better, got to play better, and you’ve got to make a name for yourself out there.”
INJURIES
Harbaugh mentioned LB Steven Means tore an Achilles tendon. He was carted off within the first half of Sunday’s sport. Baltimore put each Means and rookie LB Josh Ross on injured reserve.
KEY NUMBER
2.6 — That’s Baltimore’s dashing common by way of two video games for gamers aside from Jackson. J.Okay. Dobbins and Gus Edwards nonetheless haven’t performed due to their knee accidents. Justice Hill confirmed some potential, however the Ravens struggled in a pair key short-yardage conditions Sunday and could also be relying an excessive amount of on Jackson to hold the working sport.
NEXT STEPS
Baltimore begins the season with 4 straight matchups in opposition to the AFC East. Next up is a sport at New England subsequent weekend.
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Follow Noah Trister at https://twitter.com/noahtrister
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Source: www.bostonherald.com