The Baltimore Ravens open up their 2024-25 campaign with a tough lost on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs 20-27. Check out the full recap by Jarrett Pfeifer (Ravens Fall Short in Kansas City). Here is the Offensive Grades
Quarterback: B-
Lamar Jackson mentality Thursday night was to win by any means necessary. Lamar Jackson led the Ravens in rushing with 122 yards on 7.6 yards per carry. Also, passing for 273 yards. The most impressive play from Jackson on Thursday was him rolling out of the pocket early in the 4th quarter hitting Isaiah Likely which led to a Touchdown. Him being under duress the entire night made that play even more impressive. But however, Lamar did miss two crucial passes late in the game in which they were touchdowns. Lamar Jackson has to hit his targets when they are wide open.
Runningback: C+
The Baltimore Ravens only played their two available Running backs, Derrick Henry and Justice Hill. Justice Hill was the guy late in the game for the Ravens. Hill made a crucial block on Kansas Chiefs DT Chris Jones on the last play of the game which led to the amazing play by Isaiah Likely in the endzone which didn’t stand after review. Hill tallied 52 yards on 6 catches. For Derrick Henry first game as a Raven, there was alot to be desired. Derrick Henry is an aging Running back. But the Ravens didn’t bring Henry in to sit on the sideline. Derrick Henry scored the Ravens first Touchdown of 2024. But in the second half Derrick Henry vanished.
Wide Receiver/Tight End: B
Isaiah Likely delivered an impressive performance, achieving career-best numbers with nine receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown. He might have been the hero if he had stayed in bounds on the final play of the game. Zay Flowers also performed well, making six catches for 37 yards, while Rashod Bateman, after a slow start, recorded two receptions for 53 yards. In contrast, tight end Mark Andrews was only targeted twice, successfully catching both passes for a total of 11 yards.
Offensive Line: D
The Ravens’ offensive line featured two returning players from the previous season—left tackle Ronnie Stanley and center Tyler Linderbaum. The new starters included Andrew Vorhees at left guard, Daniel Faalele at right guard, and Patrick Mekari at right tackle. Overall, the performance of this group was inconsistent. Rookie right tackle Roger Rosengarten struggled against Chris Jones, who caused a strip sack on Jackson. Additionally, Stanley received four penalties for illegal formation during the first half. John Harbaugh and Todd Monken will have to find a consistent balance with this offensive line as the season goes on especially with them having some premier pass rushers on their schedule in 2024 (Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett x2, TJ Watt x2, Micha Parsons).
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