The Baltimore Ravens began their 2024 season with a 27-20 loss to the 2x defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs.
For months we have seen the narrative of this being a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship.
To me, that was always overblown.
Had the Ravens won tonight, that wouldn’t have erased the pain of the loss last January.
Conversely, the loss tonight doesn’t end the Ravens 2024 season.
The Ravens can still obtain every goal they have.
I know some Ravens fans, and some National pundits are going to declare that the Chiefs are in the Ravens heads.
Many aren’t going to believe the Ravens can get past Kansas City until they see it.
I understand that history is the best predictor of future results.
Skepticism is fair.
I don’t feel KC is in the Ravens head.
I don’t feel like the Ravens can’t beat KC.
I do feel that tonight wasn’t about avenging the AFC Championship.
I feel like it was the first chapter in the book about 2024.
Give KC their deserved credit. With 3 Titles in 5 years, the Chiefs operate like the champion they are.
They always expect to win. That mentality – combined with their abilities – is always going to be tough to beat.
Everything that happens from this point on is about the Ravens doing what they can to earn their way back to the playoffs.
Should the Ravens get back to the post-season, it’s quite possible that they’ll face KC again.
If so, I’ll be looking forward to that opportunity
Quick Hits:
- Lamar Jackson played like a 2x MVP tonight. He had 273 yards in the air, and another 122 yards on the ground. Saying he played like an MVP isn’t about those numbers though, it was about his mentality. He dealt with a lot of sloppiness around him, and consistently elevated his group. When the O-Line was struggling early, he apparently gathered them, and made clear his expectations. Patrick Mahomes with his 3 rings is the standard in the NFL vs, anyone; but a healthy Jackson gives the Ravens a chance vs. anyone, Mahomes included. Jackson’s weight loss and increased burst and shiftiness was visible. He looked much more explosive than last year.
- Is Isaiah Likely now TE1? A very impressive game for LIkely, with 9 catches, for 111 yards, and a TD. The TD that counted came as the 4th Quarter began with Jackson escaping pressure, and finding LIkely. LIkely racing down the sideline for the score. Obviously his toe was the difference between a 10th catch, and a 2nd TD. He also had a big block in the 4th. Doesn’t really matter if he’s TE1 or Mark Andrews is, both are going to get plenty of passes this year.
- The O-Line definitely had some issues throughout. The multiple penalties on Ronnie Stanley were a tough watch. If this is a new emphasis for the league, it feels like it was probably covered this Summer in Camp. I’d like to see a side-by-side visual with the Chiefs Tackle to see what Stanley was doing egregiously. Tied at 7, the 2nd Quarter began with Jackson fumbling at the Ravens 13. Fumble went on Jackson’s ledger, but it was clear on replay that his offensive line had done him zero favors there. Daniel Faalele drew the ire of our fans in the game thread multiple times. Will be interesting to see how he grades out with sites likes Pro Football Focus. The Ravens clearly seem to like him better than Ben Cleveland. Outside of the Cleveland, the other option would be using Mekari at LG, and going with Rosengarten outside. Maybe that happens in-time. Maybe it happens quickly if the Ravens deem Faalele a liability. My sense is you have to give Faalele some extended run, and see if there is some progression with increased experience. Tyler Linderbaum was called for holding late in the 3rd Quarter, erasing a big gain from Jackson which would have had the Ravens inside the KC 20. All of that said, it was Week 1, where the play can often look a bit off. Especially with starters not playing much / any time together in the pre-season. Also as Coach Harbaugh mentioned in the post-game, you had a hostile road environment and a strong KC Defensive Line, and they competed. The O-Line is not going to be the strength of the ’24 Ravens, but ultimately I don’t think it’s going to be the liability some believe it will be.
- Loved the initial Ravens drive to start the game. Not because it was a clean drive, but because they were able to overcome multiple penalties to complete an 11 play, 70 yard, 6 minute 46 drive for a score. Derrick Henry capped the drive by getting his first score as a Raven.
- While it was waived off to end the game, I also liked the Ravens last drive. Operating with 1 TO, and taking over from their 13 with under 2 minutes left; the Ravens put themselves in position to tie. That was impressive overall.
- Didn’t love that after the Ravens initial score, that the Chiefs immediately answered with a TD of their own. KC was having success from the jump operating quick slants over the middle, and this continued throughout the game. After pulling within 3 on Likely’s TD to begin the 4th Quarter, the defense couldn’t come up with a stop. KC went 70 yards for a TD, as the Rookie Xavier Worthy had his 2nd score of the night. Marlon Humphrey was clearly expecting Safety help over the top, and the miscommunication cost the Ravens.
- Overall, I think you’d have to say it was a quality effort from Zach Orr’s defense. Was great to see David Ojabo come up with a needed 3rd down sack. Odafe Oweh had a good game. After Jackson’s fumble, the Ravens defense was able to hold KC to a FG there. Down 10-7, the Ravens elected to go for it on 4th in the 2nd Quarter. After failing to pick up the 4th down at midfield, the Ravens defense was again able to hold KC to a Field Goal attempt. Ar’Darius Washington with nice coverage on 3rd. Huge play from Roquan Smith getting the pick and the ball back for the Ravens after Tucker’s missed FG. Trenton Simpson seemed to have a solid game.
- With the usual caveat that I believe Coach Harbaugh is probably excellent in the locker-room, and the Castle (dealing with the The Team, the Coaching Staff, the Front Office, and the Media); there are often decisions on gamedays I struggle with. Tonight I didn’t love the decision to go for it on 4th and 3 from the 50 early in the 2nd Quarter. On replay, the play call looked like it would have worked had Nelson Agholor come up with a block. It’s debatable, but I would have preferred a punt there. Later, as the 1st half was ending, and the Ravens were driving, I think the clock / time out management was off. By the middle of the 3rd Quarter, the Ravens were down to 1 timeout. I will say it looked like Harbaugh was going to go for the 2 point conversion and the win had Likely’s toe been in. I wouldn’t have had a problem with that decision. Also, down 10 with under 7 minutes left, the Ravens went for it on 4th and 1. They converted, and the drive continued, but you still needed two scores, so in the moment, I thought the Ravens should have kicked the FG there. How it played out with the Ravens having a chance there as time expired, Harbaugh could easily argue he was right and I had it wrong.
- Down 13-7, Justin Tucker missed his first Field Goal attempt this year. The distance on the attempt was 53 yards. Last year Tucker also had a number of misses from 50+. We’ve grown accustomed to perfection from Tucker. If 50+ is no longer a gimmie for Justin, the Ravens have to rethink their approach with those opportunities.
- Justin Hill had a good night. 6 catches for 52 yards. Serving as an easy outlet for Jackson.
- Zay Flowers had 6 catches for 37 yards. I’d like to see him used over the middle like KC was using Rashee Rice tonight.
- It was a pretty quiet night for Mark Andrews (2 catches, 14 yards).
- Rashod Bateman had 2 catches for 53 yards. The first catch coming late in the 3rd Quarter. The second being for 38 yards. The attempts to him, all seemed to be downfield. I’d like to see him show he can be a reliable move the chains option.
- Kyle Von Noy was knocked out of the game with an injury.
- The Ravens were 7 of 14 on 3rd down, 1 of 2 on 4th. KC was 4 of 9 on 3rd. Ravens held the ball for 33:43. Baltimore had 7 penalties, KC had 6.
They Said It:
https://x.com/jeffzrebiec/status/1831914447449006522
https://x.com/NextGenStats/status/1831911987573649710
https://x.com/billbarnwell/status/1831904676062884089
https://x.com/BaltimoreLuke/status/1831897825707487319
Up-Next:
The Ravens effectively get a mini-bye before hosting the Las Vegas Raiders on September 15th. The Raiders begin their season this Sunday in Los Angeles against the Chargers.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.