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The early portion of Thursday’s season opener seemed to bubble over with confusion about the NFL’s new emphasis on how officials would call illegal formation penalties, which the Ravens were flagged for five times. After watching the film and reviewing available data, coach John Harbaugh said Monday that he’s “not worried about it going forward.” That’s because of the highly detailed and accurate data teams get from tracking chips in each player’s shoulder pads called radio-frequency identification tags, or RFID. “We have the tracking data from that game,” Harbaugh said, referencing Baltimore’s 27-20 loss to the Chiefs. “We know exactly where the Chiefs tackles were lined up and exactly where ours were lined up.” The veteran coach was terse about specific findings. But the discourse is unambiguous, he said, because of the data available. So they’ll have a sense of whether officiating crews call it consistently as the season progresses. Three of the Ravens’ five illegal formation penalties, including two on the opening drive, came against left tackle Ronnie Stanley. Stanley said after the game that he felt targeted by the officials and that his presnap alignment followed what he was told by offseason referees. An illegal formation is called when a player’s helmet isn’t aligned with the waist of the center. It’s advantageous for a lineman in pass protection to be lined up further back behind the line of scrimmage. Stanley said Thursday night that he was confident his head was “breaking the center’s butt.” “I thought Ronnie was in reasonable position almost all the time,” Harbaugh said. “I do think the adjustment that needs to be made, is during the course of the drive, if it’s something that you didn’t expect and it’s totally different than they’re calling the games, you gotta make the drastic adjustment right away and then we’ll talk about it later. Ronnie actually thought he was doing that. When you watch the tape, I think what he says bears out.” Illegal formation penalties aside, Harbaugh said the offensive line — which has been a hot topic through the preseason as they replaced three starters from last year — set a “pretty darn good baseline,” particularly in the deafening conditions of Arrowhead Stadium against a formidable Chiefs defensive front. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson absent from practice Monday; John Harbaugh declines to say why Baltimore Ravens | Ravens RB Derrick Henry’s impact is still to be determined after playing 46% of snaps vs. Chiefs Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Chiefs was most-watched NFL season opener ever, NBC says Baltimore Ravens | Staff picks for Week 1 of 2024 NFL season: Packers vs. Eagles, Steelers vs. Falcons and more Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens have grit, but they need to fix familiar problems to dethrone Chiefs | COMMENTARY Similar to the slew of early penalties, Harbaugh isn’t worried about his offensive line. “I know how hard they work and I know how talented they are and I watch all the other offensive lines in the National Football League,” he said. “I think if you applied some of the same standards to the other offensive lines out there, you’d be like, ‘Oh, boy.'” Against Kansas City, the Ravens ran for 185 yards on 32 carries. Half of those were by quarterback Lamar Jackson, who finished with 122 rushing yards; Derrick Henry added 46 on 13 carries. The Chiefs combined for one sack and one quarterback hit. For reference, Kansas City totaled four sacks and seven quarterback hits in the AFC championship game in Baltimore in January. “Our offensive line is going to be really good this year,” Harbaugh said. “I believe that. And we’re working hard toward that.” View the full article

Ravens coach John Harbaugh declined to specify why quarterback Lamar Jackson was absent from practice Monday afternoon, their first since Thursday night’s season-opening loss to the Chiefs in Kansas City. “We had a number of guys who weren’t out there,” Harbaugh said following a 90-minute practice in Owings Mills. “Some personal, some more physical. Injury report comes out Wednesday afternoon, so you’ll be better advised on that day regarding all those guys.” No absence was more notable than Jackson’s, however. In the Ravens’ 27-20 loss to Kansas City, the two-time and reigning NFL Most Valuable Player completed 26 of 41 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown and led the team in rushing with 122 yards on 16 carries. He was also strip-sacked and took several hits, though he did not appear to be injured while speaking to reporters following the game. “This guy wants to win, he wants to make plays, he wants to lead his team; that’s what I saw on Thursday night,” Harbaugh said Monday. “And all the football stuff, we just keep coaching, and he’s the leader in that. But I’m proud of him. I have nothing but admiration for Lamar Jackson.” Jackson’s absence marks the first time he has not been at practice since the start of training camp, when he missed the first week with an undisclosed illness. It was also his first missed practice during the regular season since early December when he was out for one day, also because of an illness. He was, however, present at Baltimore’s team picture day earlier Thursday, according to a social media post from the team. He was active on X as well, responding to a post about 30 minutes after practice had concluded. As for Jackson’s activity against the Chiefs, he was all over the field, accounting for 395 of Baltimore’s 452 total yards. That included a dozen scrambles — or on 19.5% of his dropbacks for his third-highest rate in the past four seasons, according to Next Gen Stats. He also drove the Ravens 77 yards in the final 1:50 and on the game’s final play hit Isaiah Likely in the back of the end zone from 10 yards out for what was initially ruled a touchdown before the call was overturned following a replay that showed the tight end’s toe coming down out of bounds on the catch. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens coach John Harbaugh ‘not worried’ about illegal formation penalties — or his offensive line Baltimore Ravens | Ravens RB Derrick Henry’s impact is still to be determined after playing 46% of snaps vs. Chiefs Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Chiefs was most-watched NFL season opener ever, NBC says Baltimore Ravens | Staff picks for Week 1 of 2024 NFL season: Packers vs. Eagles, Steelers vs. Falcons and more Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens have grit, but they need to fix familiar problems to dethrone Chiefs | COMMENTARY “Our offense has a lot of new additions, and we’re just getting adjusted,” Jackson said following the game. “I don’t want to say [not playing in] preseason was the reason because it wasn’t; we battled. You can see it; we put points on the board. We just have to do what we have to do to win those games. [It’s] simple. “I believe everyone in our locker room hates losing, point-blank, period — coaches, trainers, equipment guys, cafeteria women and men, and definitely the players — because we’re out there putting it on the line, blood, sweat and tears. And for us to lose to those guys, and the way we lost, even though I don’t want to lose, but I can’t be mad at my guys because we battled.” Meanwhile, cornerback Nate Wiggins, wide receiver-returner Deonte Harty, outside linebacker Adisa Isaac (hamstring) and outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who suffered a fractured orbital bone in the loss, according to NFL Network, were also absent from practice. Harbaugh declined to confirm Van Noy’s injury and instead deferred to the injury report that will come out on Wednesday. Baltimore will play its home opener Sunday afternoon against the Las Vegas Raiders. View the full article

Not long after the Ravens signed running back Derrick Henry in free agency this offseason, new teammate and All-Pro inside linebacker Roquan Smith said the addition of the four-time Pro Bowl selection would be “scary.” Coach John Harbaugh, meanwhile, said having Henry would be a “wonderful thing” and that he was looking forward to it. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken added that he was “excited” to see the impact Henry would have “come to fruition.” After Thursday night’s 27-20 season-opening loss to the Chiefs in Kansas City, it is also something else: to be determined. Seven months removed from Ravens running backs inexplicably totaling just six carries against in last season’s AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium, the rematch with the Chiefs was not much different. Henry toted the ball 13 times — including five on Baltimore’s opening drive and just five in the second half — for 46 yards and a touchdown, with Justice Hill getting the lone other carry by a running back. Of course, much like the last time the two teams met, Baltimore was behind for most of the game (including trailing by 10 twice in the second half) thus perhaps limiting Henry’s and the running backs’ usage. Quarterback Lamar Jackson was also Baltimore’s most potent runner, with 122 yards on just 16 carries, though only seven of those appeared to be by design as he routinely ad-libbed his way through the Chiefs’ defense. Still, despite facing a team that last season ranked 15th in rushing yards allowed per game (113.2) and was fourth-worst in yards per attempt allowed (4.5), Henry’s impact in his first game as a Raven after eight seasons with the Tennessee Titans was relatively minimal. Why? Myriad reasons. Some of Henry’s struggles to break loose could be pinned on an offensive line in transition with three new starters. Guards Daniel Faalele and Andrew Vorhees struggled at times and thus were rated poorly by Pro Football Focus with run-blocking grades of 55 and 51, respectively. Veteran tackle Patrick Mekari and rookie right tackle Roger Rosengarten graded even worse at 53.2 and 48.2, respectively. If there was a bright spot up front, it came unsurprisingly from Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum and former All-Pro left tackle Ronnie Stanley, both of whom graded well on run and pass blocks. But that wasn’t enough. “[There are a] couple runs I’d probably want back and do different,” Ravens running back Derrick Henry said. “One game doesn’t define the whole season. We’ve got plenty more to go play.” (Ed Zurga/AP)But that alone can’t explain it away. Last season, the Titans had one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines, and Henry still rushed for 1,162 yards and 12 touchdowns on 280 carries. Henry’s longest run on Thursday was just 9 yards — courtesy of a rare Faalele pancake of his defender and Linderbaum sealing his man — as he bounced outside on a second-and-4 with just over 5 minutes left in the second quarter to help lead to an eventual field goal try by Justin Tucker (that he missed from 53 yards). And in the second half — a time of the game when Henry’s hulking 6-foot-2, 247-pound frame can wear opponents down — he had just five carries for 13 yards to finish the game with a per-carry average of just 3.54 yards. It was also that lack of use that played a part in the ho-hum performance. Henry was on the field for just 37 snaps — 46% of the offensive plays. He did not see the field on Baltimore’s final drive. With only one timeout because they used two early in the second half, the Ravens ran the ball only twice over their final 11 plays, both scrambles by Jackson. No matter the situation, it was a big departure from years past. Henry had logged the fifth-most snaps among running backs since entering the league in 2016. And in four of the past five seasons, he was on the field for at least 64% of the Titans’ snaps. What about how the Ravens deployed their newest offensive playmaker? In coming from an offense in Tennessee that largely operated with its quarterback under center to one that functions regularly out of the pistol or shotgun, there was some concern about how Jackson and Henry would mesh. As a back who has traditionally built up speed before even taking a handoff and then reaching full flight on the second level of the defense, it was and perhaps remains a concern. How big remains to be seen. According to Next Gen Stats, Henry’s efficiency — the total distance a player travels on rushing plays as a ball carrier per rushing yards gained — of 4.01 on Thursday night would have ranked him 32nd among qualifying backs last season. And while Henry was utilized about equally in zone scheme and gap scheme runs, and fairly evenly in terms of play direction, he typically did his best work from 12 personnel (one back, two tight ends, two receivers) and rarely found success when Jackson wasn’t under center. He also had just one receiving target out of the backfield, which fell incomplete. The Chiefs often schemed to eliminate Henry as well using eight or more defenders in the box nearly 40% of the time, per Next Gen Stats, an uptick of just over 3% from what he saw last season with Tennessee. History is also not on Henry’s side at this point in his career. Over the past decade, only three backs have had 1,000-yard seasons at age 30 or older (Adrian Peterson, Frank Gore and Raheem Mostert), and he topped 100 yards in a game just four times last year. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Chiefs was most-watched NFL season opener ever, NBC says Baltimore Ravens | Staff picks for Week 1 of 2024 NFL season: Packers vs. Eagles, Steelers vs. Falcons and more Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens have grit, but they need to fix familiar problems to dethrone Chiefs | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s report card: Position-by-position grades for Ravens’ 27-20 loss to Chiefs | COMMENTARY But beneath the surface, there is reason for optimism. Of Henry’s 46 yards on Thursday, 33 of them came after contact, and his yards per carry after contact (2.54) would have ranked in the top 10 in the NFL last season, proving that he is still difficult to bring down once he gets going. His rushing yards over expected (0.33), per Next Gen Stats, were on par with last season’s (0.31), too. And Henry’s 2.8 seconds behind the line of scrimmage — the amount of time a back spends before crossing the line of scrimmage as the ball carrier — was identical to last season’s mark, showing that he hasn’t slowed down just yet. It’s only one game, so the sample size is minuscule. As for his own assessment? “[There are a] couple runs I’d probably want back and do different,” Henry said. “One game doesn’t define the whole season. We’ve got plenty more to go play.” Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh looks to the clock near the end of the first half an NFL football against the Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers reacts after missing a pass in the end zone late in the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 05: Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates his touchdown with teammate Isaiah Likely #80 as they take on the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) runs with the ball as Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith (0) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) catches a pass with his toe out of bounds as Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton and linebacker Drue Tranquill, left, defend as time time expires in the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 27-20.(AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) made this catch in the end zone while being defended by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton, 32, but on replay was ruled out of bounds in an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs defeated the Ravens by a score of 27-20. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely's (80) toe was ruled out of bounds on a catch during the final seconds of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs defeated the Ravens by a score of 27-20. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann) Isiah Pacheco #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs is tackled by the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, left, catches a pass with his toe out of bounds as Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) and linebacker Drue Tranquill (23) defend as time time expires in the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 27-20.(AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, left, catches a pass with his toe out of bounds as Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) and linebacker Drue Tranquill (23) defend as time time expires in the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 27-20.(AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, left, catches a pass out of bounds as Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) and linebacker Drue Tranquill (23) defend as time time expires in the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 27-20. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Isaiah Likely #80 of the Baltimore Ravens makes a touchdown reception against Nick Bolton #32 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Chamarri Conner (27) is unable to intercept a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) scrambles as Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal defends during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Rashee Rice #4 of the Kansas City Chiefs rushes against Marcus Williams #32 of the Baltimore Ravens during the third quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Rashee Rice #4 of the Kansas City Chiefs rushes against Marcus Williams #32 of the Baltimore Ravens during the third quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes against the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) is congratulated by tight end Mark Andrews after scoring during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, right, heads for the end zone after catching a pass for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Mike Pennel Jr. #69 of the Kansas City Chiefs strips the ball from quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) Mike Pennel Jr. #69 of the Kansas City Chiefs strips the ball from quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs with the ball as Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook, right, and linebacker Leo Chenal (54) defend during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, right, catches a pass before running it in for a touchdown as Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) defends during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Chamarri Conner (27) is unable to intercept a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Chamarri Conner, right, breaks up a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Justin Watson #84 of the Kansas City Chiefs is tackled by Trenton Simpson #23 of the Baltimore Ravens during the third quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco celebrates after scoring during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) scores on a 1-yard run during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Kansas City Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis, left, hits Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) as he throws for an incomplete pass, forcing a fourth down during the first half an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs for a first down against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann) Taylor Swift, center, cheers a Kansas City Chiefs touchdown standing next to Ed Kelce, right, during the first half an NFL football gameagainst the Baltimore Ravens, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann) Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) knocks the ball out of the hands of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) as Chiefs defensive tackle Mike Pennel Jr., right, pressures him for a fumble recovered by the Chiefs during the first half an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann) Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker (9) is congratulated by teammate Jordan Stout after making a 25-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker (9) makes a 25-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker celebrates after making a 25-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) scrambles as Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton (98) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Kansas City Chiefs' Chamarri Conner, right, reacts to a missed field goal attempt by Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker (9) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, right, runs for a first down as Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie defends during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker (7) makes a 31-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is unable to catch a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson hands off during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Taylor Swift watches as the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry is congratulated by teammates Isaiah Likely (80) and Andrew Vorhees (72) after scoring during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) scores as Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal (54) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 05: Quarterback Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens looks to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (43) runs with the ball as Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid defends during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates his touchdown with teammate Isaiah Likely #80 as they take on the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws as Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws as teammate Daniel Faalele (77) pulls back Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (43) runs with the ball as Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton defends during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws as teammate Daniel Faalele (77) pulls back Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Show Caption1 of 55Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh looks to the clock near the end of the first half an NFL football against the Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann) Expand View the full article

The AFC championship game rematch between reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson and defending Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes brought in a huge national television audience. The host Kansas City Chiefs’ thrilling 27-20 win over the Ravens on Thursday night was the most-watched NFL kickoff game ever, according to NBC, averaging 28.9 million viewers. It’s a 5% increase over last year’s 27.5 million viewers for the Detroit Lions vs. Chiefs opener. Despite a roughly 20-minute delay because of thunderstorms that forced players to leave the field and fans to take shelter in the concourse at Arrowhead Stadium, Thursday night’s game peaked at 33 million viewers in the second quarter (between 9:30-9:45 p.m. ET). NBC said the viewership numbers are based on live plus same-day custom fast nationals from Nielsen and digital data from Adobe Analytics. Unsurprisingly, Kansas City was the top local market with a 43.4 local rating and 80 share, which means that 80% of all televisions in use in Kansas City were tuned in to the game. Baltimore had the second-highest local viewership with a 24.5 rating and 60 share, followed by Denver; St. Louis; Norfolk, Virginia; Cincinnati; and Pittsburgh. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Staff picks for Week 1 of 2024 NFL season: Packers vs. Eagles, Steelers vs. Falcons and more Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens have grit, but they need to fix familiar problems to dethrone Chiefs | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s report card: Position-by-position grades for Ravens’ 27-20 loss to Chiefs | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Isaiah Likely’s career day nearly led Ravens to comeback victory vs. Chiefs: ‘He was just open’ The game registered a national TV household rating of 12.6/37. The 37 share is NBC’s largest for any regular-season game since debuting the “Sunday Night Football” package in 2006. The Thursday night season opener, traditionally hosted by the defending Super Bowl champions, dates to 2002. NBC said it drew 4.6 million viewers on its digital platforms, including the live stream on Peacock, up 65% from last year’s season opener. The NFL has been a dominant draw, recording 14 of the top 15 most-watched prime-time telecasts in 2023. The Chiefs’ playoff win over the host Ravens in January was the most-watched AFC championship game ever, averaging 55.47 million viewers and peaking at more than 64 million viewers. According to Sportico, Thursday’s game was the 17th-most-watched U.S. broadcast of 2024 and is currently the year’s 12th-biggest NFL telecast. View the full article

Baltimore Sun staff writers pick every game of the NFL season. Here’s who they have winning in Week 1: Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil (Friday, 8:15 p.m.) Brian Wacker: Eagles Childs Walker: Packers Mike Preston: Eagles C.J. Doon: Packers Tim Schwartz: Packers Bennett Conlin: Eagles Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Falcons Walker: Falcons Preston: Steelers Doon: Falcons Schwartz: Falcons Conlin: Falcons Arizona Cardinals at Buffalo Bills (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Bills Walker: Bills Preston: Bills Doon: Bills Schwartz: Bills Conlin: Bills Tennessee Titans at Chicago Bears (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Bears Walker: Bears Preston: Bears Doon: Bears Schwartz: Bears Conlin: Titans New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Bengals Walker: Bengals Preston: Bengals Doon: Bengals Schwartz: Bengals Conlin: Bengals Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Texans Walker: Texans Preston: Colts Doon: Texans Schwartz: Texans Conlin: Colts Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Dolphins Walker: Jaguars Preston: Dolphins Doon: Dolphins Schwartz: Dolphins Conlin: Dolphins Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Saints Walker: Saints Preston: Saints Doon: Saints Schwartz: Saints Conlin: Saints Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Giants Walker: Giants Preston: Vikings Doon: Vikings Schwartz: Vikings Conlin: Vikings Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, 4:05 p.m.) Wacker: Chargers Walker: Chargers Preston: Chargers Doon: Raiders Schwartz: Chargers Conlin: Chargers Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks (Sunday, 4:05 p.m.) Wacker: Seahawks Walker: Seahawks Preston: Seahawks Doon: Seahawks Schwartz: Seahawks Conlin: Seahawks Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns (Sunday, 4:25 p.m.) Wacker: Cowboys Walker: Cowboys Preston: Cowboys Doon: Cowboys Schwartz: Cowboys Conlin: Cowboys Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m.) Wacker: Buccaneers Walker: Buccaneers Preston: Buccaneers Doon: Commanders Schwartz: Commanders Conlin: Buccaneers Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions (Sunday, 8:20 p.m.) Wacker: Lions Walker: Rams Preston: Lions Doon: Lions Schwartz: Lions Conlin: Rams New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers (Monday, 8:15 p.m.) Wacker: 49ers Walker: Jets Preston: 49ers Doon: Jets Schwartz: Jets Conlin: 49ers View the full article

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Ravens showed a lot of heart in a 27-20 season-opening loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium, but that desire takes a team only so far in the NFL. The Ravens need to get more out of their playmakers on both offense and defense to go deep into the postseason. Kansas City will, which is why the Chiefs have won the past two Super Bowl titles and could be the first team in league history to three-peat. But can the Ravens challenge them? You try never to put too much importance in the first game because it’s really like a fourth preseason contest, and there are 16 more remaining in the regular season. If the Ravens had won, the entire city of Baltimore would be going crazy Friday morning. But with another loss to Kansas City, you wonder whether the Ravens are going to break this stranglehold now that quarterback Lamar Jackson is 1-5 versus Kansas City. The Chiefs have four Super Bowl titles, winning in 1969, 2019, 2022 and 2023. They also have Patrick Mahomes, who might be the best quarterback ever and is being compared with the G.O.A.T., Tom Brady. The Chiefs also have coach Andy Reid and his 26-16 postseason record. Granted, Kansas City will get better, as it did at the end of last season, but where does that leave Baltimore? The Ravens play with a lot of heart and gritty determination, but that might not be good enough in 2024. In all honesty, maybe this season really is a year of minor rebuilding, especially on the interior lines. “It didn’t happen at the end, but [I’m] proud of the way the guys fought,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “We’re only going to get better from here on out, and I’m looking forward to that. We’re looking forward to getting back to work next week and getting ready for the Raiders.” There is that tough talk again. It would have been an upset for the Ravens to have won here Thursday night. Arrowhead was buzzing as the Chiefs put up another championship banner, and this stadium was already recognized as the loudest in the NFL. The Ravens came within a toe of possibly pulling off the win as tight end Isaiah Likely’s foot touched the back line of the end zone on the last play of regulation, but that wasn’t good enough. It never is versus Kansas City, and it wasn’t last year when the Chiefs beat the Ravens, 17-10, in the AFC title game in Baltimore. In the psyche of Baltimore fans, there has to be some serious doubt about whether the Ravens can overtake the Chiefs. It’s no longer about the AFC North and whether the Ravens can win the division over Pittsburgh, Cleveland or Cincinnati. The road to the championship goes through Kansas City. It really is that simple. “We were able to put ourselves in a position to be able to have a chance to win the game, even [when] things weren’t happening in the game — as far as on our side of the ball,” Ravens running back Derrick Henry said. “There are a lot of things we can learn from and a lot of things we can continue to build on, so that’s what you want to do as a team — learn from the mistakes and hit on the positives.” As the game unfolded, Kansas City stayed true to its system, especially with an offense that is built around Mahomes, who completed 20 of 28 passes for 291 yards and finished with a passer rating of 101.9. As for the Ravens, they continue to have a helter-skelter offense. Their best play, despite coordinator Todd Monken being in his second season, is still Jackson running around and making something out of nothing. That’s great to a point, but that doesn’t win championships, either. Jackson was outstanding, rushing 16 times for 122 yards and completing 26 of 41 passes for 273 yards, including an electrifying scramble and 49-yard touchdown pass to Likely early in the fourth quarter. But he missed three possible touchdown passes throughout the game. Mahomes makes those kinds of plays, but Jackson doesn’t, especially in big games. Kansas City’s offensive game plan, besides Mahomes, revolves around running back Isiah Pacheco, receiver Rashee Rice and tight end Travis Kelce. The Ravens featured Jackson and slot receiver Zay Flowers, but most of the other weapons — Likely, fellow tight end Mark Andrews, and receivers Nelson Agholor and Rashod Bateman — were ignored until the second half. Did the Ravens practice throughout training camp? What happened to Henry, who had only 13 carries for 46 yards? Granted, the Ravens were playing without three starters on the offensive line from a year ago, but why didn’t they move Jackson around more in the pocket instead of allowing him to be pressured up the middle as guards Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalale were beaten consistently? “I definitely won a lot of matchups today; a lot of us did,” Bateman said. “We just have to find ways to execute and get the ball to the playmakers — whatever that looks like.” Defensively, the Ravens looked lost at times, especially in coverage in the flat where outside linebackers were matched up with running backs. The pass rush was solid, but far from spectacular. Of course, this was Mahomes, who is almost as elusive as Jackson, but the Ravens need to get more out of outside linebackers Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo. There were a lot of missed tackles, even some by All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton. Over on the other sideline, Kansas City is coached by longtime defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and the Ravens are being led by first-year coordinator Zach Orr. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Staff picks for Week 1 of 2024 NFL season: Packers vs. Eagles, Steelers vs. Falcons and more Baltimore Ravens | 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s report card: Position-by-position grades for Ravens’ 27-20 loss to Chiefs | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Isaiah Likely’s career day nearly led Ravens to comeback victory vs. Chiefs: ‘He was just open’ Baltimore Ravens | Lamar Jackson does it all but Ravens’ rally comes up short in 27-20 loss to Chiefs “We just had some issues with the substitutions back and forth,” Harbaugh said. “They were running different groups on the field and stuff like that. We did have some communication problems. That’s something that we’ll have to iron out for sure. We can be better with that; we will be better with that. [It] wasn’t what we wanted, so we’ll have to improve on that, and we will.” This isn’t a picture of gloom and doom after one game, but there seems to be a pattern here. The Ravens’ clock management was poor throughout the game and Harbaugh made another poor decision while gambling on a fourth-and-3 at midfield early in the second quarter. We’ve seen that backfire many times throughout his tenure in Baltimore, and it eventually cost the Ravens a field goal, which was a big turning point. Again, it’s only one game, but this is the same old Ravens team we’ve seen melt down in the postseason. There is ample time to get better, but not a lot. In the second half of the season, the Ravens face stretches in which they play three games in 14 days and then another three in 10. After watching this team throughout training camp and in the preseason, there were higher expectations than what was on display Thursday night. Unless Jackson puts this team on his back again as he did last season, when he won his second NFL Most Valuable Player Award, the Ravens need to find a different mojo, especially on defense. It’s great to show heart and be competitive, but that alone doesn’t win championships, especially in Kansas City. View the full article

The Ravens fell a fraction of an inch short of a game-tying touchdown when replays showed that tight end Isaiah Likely’s toe landed out of bounds on the last play of an opening 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Here are five things we learned from a thrilling rematch of last year’s AFC championship game: The Ravens remain the little brother in the AFC’s top rivalry — but only by a little Finally, Lamar Jackson had his chance to one-up Patrick Mahomes, the current standard by which quarterback greatness is measured. Mahomes had seemingly thrown the game’s decisive pass earlier in the fourth quarter when he took advantage of a blown coverage to put the Chiefs up 27-17. But Jackson had rallied the Ravens, leading one scoring drive with legs that never stopped whirring and then carrying his team to the cusp of a tying or winning touchdown. On first down, Jackson saw Likely flash open in the corner of the end zone but overshot him badly enough that Likely crashed awkwardly to the ground, clutching his side in agony. On second down, Jackson bought enough time to see wide receiver Zay Flowers uncovered in the middle of the end zone but fired wide of his target. On his third and final shot, he again went high to Likely, who caught the ball but landed with the tip of his toe brushing the white of the back line. By that tiniest of margins, Jackson and the Ravens fell short — for the fifth time in six tries — of potentially besting the one AFC power they cannot conquer. Does that mean they never will? Or did the Ravens give us reason to believe they could turn the tide if these foes meet again in January, with higher stakes at play? No player will have more to say about that than Jackson, and he did not play as tentatively Thursday as he had in the 17-10 playoff loss eight months earlier. With the slimmer physique he chiseled over a long offseason, the game’s greatest running quarterback sprinted and spun his way to 122 rushing yards. He improvised brilliant throws in the clutch before his radar failed him on those last three. The reigning NFL Most Valuable Player was imperfect but undeniably brilliant. Brilliant enough to beat Mahomes with everything on the line? Well, that’s the steepest mountain for anyone in the NFL to scale, and Jackson still has to prove he can do it. Elsewhere, we saw plenty of reasons for concern and plenty for excitement as we contemplate the path ahead for the 2024 Ravens. Likely’s emergence and Rashod Bateman’s bounding 38-yard catch to set up the last touchdown shot demonstrated that Jackson really can look beyond Flowers and Mark Andrews in tight spots. The Ravens did not abandon the run this time around, rolling up 185 yards (to 72 for Kansas City) on 32 attempts. On the other hand, the league’s top scoring defense from last season looked discombobulated in coverage — a death knell against the great Mahomes. The Ravens’ lightly tested offensive line did not give Jackson enough time to work in the first half and hamstrung him with penalty after penalty. In the end, the Chiefs undercut themselves a little less and retained the upper hand over one of the few teams with the talent to upend their quest for a Super Bowl repeat. Even if the Ravens had won, we would have said their defining test will not come until January. The same is true after a sloppy, spirited loss. The Chiefs remain their target, and they have five months to take the necessary strides. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, did not look very comfortable behind the revamped offensive line Thursday night. (Ed Zurga/AP) The Ravens’ big offensive line risk looks … risky We spent the past four months debating general manager Eric DeCosta’s grand gamble — three starting offensive linemen out, including stalwarts Kevin Zeitler and Morgan Moses, replaced by players with precious little experience. DeCosta recently called the overhaul a necessary response to salary cap constraints created by Jackson’s five-year, $260 million extension, but he and Harbaugh both acknowledged the growing pains we might see early this season. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Staff picks for Week 1 of 2024 NFL season: Packers vs. Eagles, Steelers vs. Falcons and more Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens have grit, but they need to fix familiar problems to dethrone Chiefs | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s report card: Position-by-position grades for Ravens’ 27-20 loss to Chiefs | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Isaiah Likely’s career day nearly led Ravens to comeback victory vs. Chiefs: ‘He was just open’ Baltimore Ravens | Lamar Jackson does it all but Ravens’ rally comes up short in 27-20 loss to Chiefs Kansas City’s All-Pro defensive tackle, Chris Jones, made sure we did not have to wait. Jones beat Daniel Faalele, starting at the right guard position he just began learning in the spring, to pressure Jackson on the Ravens’ first drive. On the first drive of the second quarter, Jones tossed rookie right tackle Roger Rosengarten aside and fired past Faalele to strip Jackson, handing Mahomes a short field. Jackson could not look downfield, because he rarely had more than two seconds before a red jersey invaded his personal space. When the Ravens got moving late in the third quarter, a hold by Tyler Linderbaum on Jones wiped out a 29-yard run by Jackson that would have put them on the Kansas City 13-yard line. Jones wasn’t the Ravens’ only enemy. They struggled just as acutely with game officials intent on keeping blockers from cheating a step behind the line of scrimmage. Tackles Ronnie Stanley and Patrick Mekari were called for lining up in the backfield three times on the game’s first drive. The last of those wiped out a long pass interference penalty. Stanley was flagged for illegal formation again with the Ravens driving late in the second quarter. Coach John Harbaugh’s exasperated countenance spoke to the fact that this new rules emphasis seemed to flow only one way. Stanley said he felt the officials were trying to make an example of him. “I’m looking at [Kansas City’s] tackles, especially the right side, and I know I’m lining up in front of that guy,” he said. “And they didn’t call him one time. It’s a little bit of making me feel like I’m crazy, [that] I don’t know where I’m lining up.” With a week of focused practice, the Ravens will probably wipe out most of these alignment penalties. Their struggles against elite pass rushers won’t be as easy to ameliorate. Rosengarten, Faalele and left guard Andrew Vorhees will operate at deficits of power, explosiveness and experience, and even if they grow into dependable starters, it might not happen soon. This was the risk DeCosta embraced in designing his roster, and we’re seeing the short-term price. Linebacker Malik Harrison, left, and the Ravens defense couldn’t slow down Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy on a first-quarter touchdown run. (Ed Zurga/AP) Coordinator Zach Orr’s defense also debuted sloppily Marlon Humphrey put up little resistance as the fastest player on the field sprinted by him. He appeared to think a safety would pick up rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy. That safety never appeared, and Mahomes floated an easy touchdown pass to extend Kansas City’s lead to 10 in the fourth quarter. It was the worst possible moment for a communication breakdown from Orr’s defense and a reminder that it too will be a work in progress despite the All-Pros at every level. “Obviously, we just didn’t play the defense the right way; there was nobody deep back there,” Harbaugh said. “We had certain mistakes during the game that were a problem. Substitutions were an issue. [Worthy’s touchdown] was probably the one big mistake we had. The rest of the way, I thought our defense played really well.” Mahomes feasted on single-high coverage, completing 12 of 14 for 151 yards — his best efficiency against the alignment since 2021, per Next Gen Stats. The Ravens did not adjust sufficiently as the game went on. He even flattened Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis to spring Jackson for a 13-yard gain. “Isaiah played just a great football game, [the] craziest game,” Harbaugh said. “[He made] so many plays, especially down the stretch, play after play.” There’s no taking Likely out of the game plan at this point (he played 52 snaps to Andrews’ 58). He’s too adept at getting open, too dynamic a downfield and red-zone threat. If Jackson had been a little more precise, he might have approached 170 yards instead of the 111 he put up on 12 targets. We call him a tight end, but he’s really a giant wide receiver, just like his biggest fans said after the Ravens stole him in the fourth round of the 2022 draft out of Coastal Carolina. Jackson recognized this from the start, treating Likely as a guy who would matter a whole lot even before his production caught up. Ravens running back Derrick Henry, carrying the ball in the third quarter Thursday night against the Chiefs, will keep defenses from throwing everything at Lamar Jackson. (Christian Petersen/Getty) We saw an early glimpse of the problems posed by Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry Jackson alone has guaranteed the Ravens an elite running game since the day he took over for Joe Flacco midway through the 2018 season. He’s that dynamic with the ball in his hands and demands that much attention from opposing defenses. Any running back becomes a high-efficiency problem when taking advantage of No. 8’s gravitational pull. So what might happen if the Ravens plugged the most productive running back of the last decade — an all-time physical specimen who easily cruises past 20 mph at 6 feet 2, 247 pounds — into that equation? The pairing of Jackson and Henry was the equivalent of a football sugar plum dancing through our collective imagination, and Thursday’s opener was Christmas morning. Finally, we’d get to see it in real life. It took less than one drive for us to see the horror defenses will confront when they try to account for both. As the Ravens pushed toward the red zone, Jackson faked a third-and-1 handoff to Henry and glided untouched around left end for 11 yards. He went left for 8 on the next play. Then he took a snap from under center and handed to Henry, who powered through a gap cleared by fullback Patrick Ricard to finish his first Ravens drive with a touchdown. Left, right, speed, power. Which poison would you like, sirs? There were questions coming in. How would Henry adapt to taking a higher percentage of his handoffs from shotgun formations? Would he and Jackson have instant chemistry on the read-option handoffs the Ravens have used to devastating effect? Would an overhauled offensive line have the mobility to set up the wide zone runs that were Henry’s bread and butter in Tennessee? The Ravens mixed up Henry’s looks Thursday, going to him from under center, from the shotgun and from the pistol. His role diminished when they had to play from behind in the second half, and his 13 carries for 46 yards won’t stand out in a career full of blazing stat lines. But we saw that as much as Jackson might set up Henry, Henry will keep defenses from throwing everything at Jackson. It was the quarterback who went off in Kansas City. Don’t be surprised if it’s the running back the next time we see this promising partnership in action. View the full article

Here’s how the Ravens (0-1) graded out at every position after dropping their season opener, 27-20, to the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium. Quarterback The Ravens need to get Lamar Jackson outside the pocket more because that’s where he does most of his damage. Their best play is still him scrambling around and improvising, which resulted in a 49-yard touchdown pass to tight end Isaiah Likely in the fourth quarter. Jackson, though, missed running back Justice Hill on a short crossing pattern late in the first half, which should have been a touchdown. Jackson also underthrew Flowers streaking down the right sideline early in the third quarter after he beat cornerback Jaylen Watson. He also missed Flowers in the back of the end zone on the Ravens’ last drive. Jackson did find Likely in the back of the end zone on the last play of regulation to seemingly pull Baltimore within a point, but the tight end stepped out of bounds to end the game. Jackson is still the best offensive weapon the Ravens have, but he has to make the big plays for the team to take the next step. He completed 26 of 41 passes for 273 yards and rushed 16 times for an additional 122 yards. Grade: B+ Running backs The Ravens should have used running back Derrick Henry more, as he had only 13 carries for 46 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown run to open the game. The Ravens, though, are becoming too predictable using backup halfback Hill in passing situations and throwing to him in the flats. Hill had six catches for 52 yards. The Ravens need a change-of-pace running back, and they won’t get one until Keaton Mitchell returns from a knee injury later in the season. Grade: C- Offensive line Left tackle Ronnie Stanley kept getting called for illegal formation penalties, especially in the first half, and that cost the Ravens. Baltimore needs to cut down on the rotation at right tackle with Patrick Mekari and rookie Roger Rosengarten and just play Mekari for a couple of games. Mekari needs to get his timing down, and the more work, the better. Both guards, Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele, struggled, and Faalele looked lost in pass protection for most of the first half. Grade: D Receivers The Ravens need to get their receivers involved more in the game plan because this looked more like the Zay Flowers (six catches for 37 yards) show for most of the game. Where were the two-tight end formations the Ravens talked about a lot during the offseason with Mark Andrews and Likely? Andrews had two catches for 14 yards. Did Nelson Agholor play? The Ravens need Rashod Bateman to have a breakout season and he wasn’t involved much in the offense until the second half, when he had two catches for 53 yards. The Ravens need to use these players more. Grade: C+ Defensive line The Ravens handled Kansas City’s running game, holding the Chiefs to 72 yards on 20 attempts, and they kept Isiah Pacheco in line by holding him to 45 yards on 15 carries. But the Ravens failed to get pressure on quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and when they did, he still moved around in the pocket. The Ravens didn’t play nose guard Michael Pierce and tackle Nnamdi Madubuike in the preseason, and it showed. Madubuike had only two tackles; Pierce finished with four. Both will get better as the season goes on, but they need help from backups Broderick Washington and Travis Jones, who combined for three tackles. Madubuike added half a sack. Grade: B- Linebackers Kansas City took advantage of middle linebacker Roquan Smith in pass coverage, and he couldn’t keep up with receiver Rashee Rice on crossing patterns over the middle. Smith also needs to cut down on the cheap shots on opposing players, which has become an annoying habit since the second half of last season. There were times when he was getting blown out on running plays. Malik Harrison missed several tackles and the Ravens’ outside linebackers missed several assignments covering the Chiefs running backs out of the backfield. Grade: D Secondary The Ravens had a lot of blown coverages on the back end and were questioning themselves in the second half. Overall, the group was still a strength of the defense and played well enough for the Ravens to win, but they just couldn’t cover long enough. Safety Marcus Williams had six tackles and cornerback Brandon Stephens had four. The Ravens need to get a stronger game out of safety Kyle Hamilton. He is good near the line of scrimmage, but he got exposed in coverage. Mahomes, regardless of the situation, always finds a way to beat the Ravens. He threw for 291 yards and finished with a passer rating of 101.9. Grade: B Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Staff picks for Week 1 of 2024 NFL season: Packers vs. Eagles, Steelers vs. Falcons and more Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens have grit, but they need to fix familiar problems to dethrone Chiefs | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs Baltimore Ravens | Isaiah Likely’s career day nearly led Ravens to comeback victory vs. Chiefs: ‘He was just open’ Baltimore Ravens | Lamar Jackson does it all but Ravens’ rally comes up short in 27-20 loss to Chiefs Special teams Justin Tucker missed a 53-yard field goal attempt in the first half and the Ravens also allowed a 28-yard kickoff return, which helped lead Kansas City to its first touchdown of the game. Tucker, though, converted on field goal attempts of 25 and 32 yards. Jordan Stout averaged 37.5 yards on two punts, both finishing inside the 20-yard line. Neither team had much of an advantage in the return game. Grade: C+ Coaching Coach John Harbaugh gambled and made a poor decision to go for it on fourth down with 9:45 left in the second quarter. The move handed Kansas City a short field and a 31-yard field goal by Harrison Butker about four minutes later. Clock management was poor as usual for most of the game and some of the play calling, especially on the offensive side, was poor. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken needs to get more out of his players and defensive coordinator Zach Orr’s linebackers looked lost in coverage. Harbaugh seemed willing to go for a 2-point conversion after the near-touchdown reception by Likely, but that probably would have failed on that, too. The coaching staff was a mess. Grade: D View the full article

The Ravens had one more chance. Lamar Jackson knew who to go to. Jackson darted around the pocket, evading defenders to give his receivers enough time to get open. Isaiah Likely wasn’t, but it didn’t matter. The quarterback placed a throw where only the tight end could reach it. Likely hauled it in, then looked at the back judge staring back at him in — he thought — the end zone. But there was white paint under his toe. No touchdown, they ruled. Game over. “That’s on me,” Likely said. “I gotta get both feet in.” “I thought it was a touchdown,” Jackson said. “Still think it was a touchdown.” “I didn’t think it was enough evidence to overturn it,” middle linebacker Roquan Smith said. “That’ll be something that the refs will have to deal with.” Likely’s heroics were almost enough in the Ravens’ 27-20 season-opening loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The tight end was the star of the unfavorable result, confirming the hype he spread with an impressive summer and stamping himself as perhaps Jackson’s most dependable target. The 24-year-old tight end led the Ravens with nine catches for 111 yards, highlighted by a 49-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to pull his team within one score. He was a popular option on the final drive, which he exited briefly after coming down hard on an incompletion in the back of the end zone. But he returned one play later and nearly evened the score. “It’s the last play of the game,” Likely said. “Would you wanna be out?” The tight end’s long fourth-quarter touchdown impressed himself, but onlookers even more. Likely knew he had to make Zay Flowers’ key block worthwhile, so he darted around defenders until he had just one between him and the end zone. Then, Likely wanted to “see how good his brakes was” with a subtle step-back move in front of the goal line. Jackson likened it to a similar move the quarterback once put on a defender in high school, but said Likely topped his. Likely surpassed 100 yards just once in his career before Thursday and never reached 111. Nine catches is also a career high. Jackson ran more in the defeat, displayed his new slimmer frame and was unafraid to lower his shoulder for extra yards. But when he did have time to scan the field behind an inexperienced offensive line, Jackson often lasered on his No. 2 tight end. “He was just open,” the quarterback said. Likely’s position-mate Mark Andrews was largely silent Thursday. The All-Pro finished with just 14 yards, his fewest since 2022, on two catches, seven fewer than Likely, and was never a focal point for Jackson and the offense. Andrews was never targeted near the goal line or in the end zone. It was instead Likely who garnered those opportunities and proved why more two-tight end sets could be in the Ravens’ future. “Isaiah played just a great football game,” coach John Harbaugh said. “So many plays, especially down the stretch.” Likely had two catches for 16 yards in the Ravens’ postseason loss to Kansas City in January. He was a nonfactor for an offense that sputtered. Thursday, he was the spark that powered it. Baltimore’s offense had other faults that Jackson and Likely masked. If those can be cleaned up, Likely thinks, the next outcome will be different. “This is the worst game we’re gonna play all year,” Likely said. “If this is the best that they got, good luck in the postseason.” Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, center, celebrates after scoring a 49-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter Thursday night. (Charlie Riedel/AP) View the full article

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — New season, more drama, same outcome. The Chiefs began Thursday night by unfurling another Super Bowl championship banner — their third in five years — in front of a raucous crowd at Arrowhead Stadium and ended it with a 27-20 victory over the Ravens in a rematch of last season’s AFC championship game. And just like when the teams last met at M&T Bank Stadium in January, Baltimore hung around until the end, with another call in the end zone that didn’t go their way and more silly and self-inflicted wounds that proved too much to overcome against the two-time defending champions. Still, the Ravens had their chances — until they ran out of them. In the first showdown of players who have each won at least two NFL Most Valuable Player Awards to kick off a season, quarterback Lamar Jackson, incredibly, kept Baltimore within reach until the game’s final play. With the clock expiring and the Ravens needing a touchdown from 10 yards out, he found Isaiah Likely in the back of the end zone for leaping grab between two defenders. Although it was initially ruled a catch, the celebration was short-lived after the call was overturned by replay, which showed the tight end’s toe ever so slightly out of bounds. “I thought it was a touchdown,” Jackson said. “Still think it was a touchdown. … I stand on that.” Instead, it was the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes who were the ones who standing victorious again. For the fifth time in six meetings between the two quarterbacks, Kansas City came out on top. And it felt like deja vu, with the Ravens’ own mistakes putting them in a hole from which they could not escape. Baltimore committed seven penalties, four of which were on a revamped and inexperienced offensive line for illegal formation for lining up in the backfield, a point of emphasis for officials this season after Chiefs tackle Jawaan Taylor was often criticized for doing so last season but not flagged for it. Three of Thursday night’s calls were against Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley, who was critical of the officiating afterward. “I really feel like they were just trying to make an example and they chose me to be the one to do that,” he said. “As far as I saw, they weren’t doing it on both sides of the ball and I know that I was lined up in good position the majority of those calls they made.” Jackson said the penalties were “very frustrating,” while Ravens coach John Harbaugh was likewise unhappy with how the illegal formation penalties were officiated. “They put a thing out that they said they were going to call that differently,” he said. “ [Not] understanding how differently, we were the first offensive series of the season with that, and I think they saw probably everybody watching it. It’ll be interesting to see if they call it the same way the whole season.” Stanley, a nine-year veteran, added there was “plenty of dialogue” with officials during the game. “They just kept saying, ‘You need to move up.’ And I’m like, ‘How much more do I need to move up?’” he said. “It’s not my first year playing in this league. I know where to line up and I was lining up a lot ahead of of where I usually do. I know my helmet was breaking the center’s butt. … It’s their call to make, but like I said, I think they were trying to make an example out of me. “It definitely hindered us as an offense. There’s a lot of big plays that were made that we had to come back and we were able to overcome a lot of those things.” Those were hardly the only penalties that set them back, however. Inside linebacker Roquan Smith was flagged for a horse-collar tackle on the Chiefs’ opening possession, helping set up a 21-yard touchdown run by speedy rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy on an end-around to even the score at 7 after Derrick Henry (13 carries, 46 yards) gave Baltimore the early lead with a 5-yard touchdown run. Then in the second quarter, Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman was hit with an offensive pass interference call for blocking downfield before Zay Flowers caught a short pass, wiping out a 4-yard gain and eventually leading to a punt three plays later. On their next possession, a delay of game pushed the Ravens back 5 yards and Justin Tucker eventually missed a 53-yard field goal attempt. “A lot of the things that happened were self-inflicted,” Smith said. “They made us pay for it, and hey, it’s a game of inches.” And for the Ravens, a game of costly miscues — again. That included in the third quarter, when defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike was flagged for roughing after a hit on Mahomes. Instead of facing third-and-20 from Baltimore’s 28-yard-line, the foul gave Kansas City a first down on the 14. Two plays later, Isiah Pacheco bullied his way into the end zone from a yard out to give the Chiefs a 20-10 lead. Other mistakes by Baltimore included mismanaging the clock at the end of the first half by burning 20 seconds with all three timeouts in hand before settling for a 25-yard field goal by Tucker, as well as using two timeouts by midway through the third quarter. “We just had some issues with the substitutions back and forth,” Harbaugh said. “They were running different groups on the field and stuff like that. We did have some communication problems.” In between, the Ravens’ defense and first-year coordinator Zach Orr had their own problems, with few answers for the Chiefs’ speedy and potent offense. Mahomes, who was the league’s MVP in 2018 and 2022, completed 20 of 28 passes for 291 yards and a touchdown, while wide receiver Rashee Rice had seven catches for 103 yards and Worthy had two catches for 47 yards, including what ended up being the deciding score when he got loose behind cornerback Marlon Humphrey on a busted coverage for an easy 35-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter that put the Chiefs up 27-17. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Staff picks for Week 1 of 2024 NFL season: Packers vs. Eagles, Steelers vs. Falcons and more Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens have grit, but they need to fix familiar problems to dethrone Chiefs | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s report card: Position-by-position grades for Ravens’ 27-20 loss to Chiefs | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Isaiah Likely’s career day nearly led Ravens to comeback victory vs. Chiefs: ‘He was just open’ Most devastating was Mahomes’ play against the Ravens’ single-high coverage. He finished 12 of 14 for 151 yards for a plus-13.8% completion percentage over expected, per Next Gen Stats, for his highest mark against the formation since Week 17 of the 2021 season. Still, Jackson kept pulling the Ravens back from the abyss. The reigning NFL MVP completed 26 of 41 passes for 273 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown to Likely in the third quarter. He also rushed for 122 yards on 16 carries to lead Baltimore’s rushing attack. When the Ravens finally did stop Mahomes, forcing a Kansas City punt with 1:55 remaining, they got the ball back at their own 13-yard line with no timeouts. Jackson drove Baltimore to the Chiefs’ 10, highlighted by Bateman’s leaping 38-yard grab that helped set up the game’s final play. “Our offense battled, and we battled through the third and fourth quarter,” Jackson said. “Unfortunately, these ugly games, we have to overcome them.” Home opener Raiders at Ravens Sunday, Sept. 15, 1 p.m. TV: CBS Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM Line: Ravens by 7 1/2 Chiefs safety Chamarri Conner, right, reacts to a missed field goal attempt by Ravens kicker Justin Tucker in the first half Thursday night. (Charlie Riedel/AP) View the full article

Here’s what The Baltimore Sun sports staff had to say immediately after the Ravens’ 27-20 loss to the host Kansas City Chiefs in Thursday night’s NFL season opener at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Brian Wacker, reporter: The Ravens showed once again they go as Lamar Jackson goes. Despite the offensive line’s issues with presnap illegal formation penalties, the defense getting exposed by Patrick Mahomes much of the night and a lack of communication along with several self-inflicted wounds on both sides of the ball, the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player kept Baltimore within reach on a night when the game could have gotten out of hand. Jackson made his share of spectacular plays with his arm and his legs and was every bit the Ravens’ best player all night. Unsurprisingly, an offensive line with three new starters along with a few costly penalties were too much to overcome against the two-time defending Super Bowl champs in their own building. Mahomes made Baltimore pay by playing fast and efficient, particularly in the first half, and the Chiefs are a difficult team to come back against. Meanwhile, outside of Jackson and tight end Isaiah Likely, the Ravens’ offense was lacking, whether it was running back Derrick Henry rushing for just 46 yards on 13 carries, or no wide receiver having more than 53 yards. Until the Ravens clean up their mistakes and get more from other players, they’re playing second fiddle to the Chiefs. Childs Walker, reporter: Offseason story lines came into play quickly as the Ravens sought revenge for their AFC championship loss to the Chiefs. We saw the dilemmas Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry will create playing off each other as the Ravens rumbled for an opening touchdown drive. We saw expected growing pains from the Ravens’ inexperienced offensive line, with All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones wreaking havoc and officials calling a string of penalties on tackles Ronnie Stanley and Patrick Mekari for lining up behind the line of scrimmage. We saw Patrick Mahomes and Rashee Rice outmaneuver first-year coordinator Zach Orr’s defense in the middle of the field, and we saw Orr’s guys crash the pocket and break up passes when it was time to keep the Chiefs out of the end zone on several key drives. We saw tight end Isaiah Likely make the case that he just might be Jackson’s most potent target. We saw Jackson fight his heart out and come a fraction of Likely’s toe short of a game-tying touchdown pass. Ultimately, Mahomes took advantage of a blown coverage by Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey and a nonexistent safety to throw the decisive touchdown pass. The Chiefs remain the big brother in this rivalry, if only by a little. The Ravens have the components to challenge, but they’ll need to make major strides on the offensive line and in defensive communication if they’re going to win a rematch in January. Sam Cohn, reporter: It’s only Week 1, but the difference between the two offenses looked obvious. The Chiefs were far more dynamic and big plays seemed to come easier (Xavier Worthy’s speed is a cheat code). The Ravens didn’t muster an offensive play over 19 yards until the fourth-quarter score by Isaiah Likely that went half the distance of the field with a 0.3% touchdown probability, according to Next Gen Stats. Yes, Lamar Jackson showed off the shiftiness that accompanies his slimmer frame and still invited contact. But Baltimore’s offense is going to need more explosive plays and input from a variety of skill-position players to make a run in January. The two-minute drill was a golden opportunity for vengeance squandered because of a toe on the line. Taylor Lyons, reporter: Until the fourth quarter, Thursday felt eerily similar to last January’s AFC championship game: an opening drive Ravens touchdown followed by a series of self-inflicted roadblocks that kept them from clawing back. Ten fourth-quarter points gave Baltimore a chance, but ultimately Isaiah Likely’s toe was the difference. Lamar Jackson and Likely nearly engineered an epic comeback over the team that’s hurt the Ravens for years. Jackson displayed his slimmer frame and an unafraid running style that masked deficiencies in other areas — Derrick Henry was largely ineffective, the defense allowed too many big plays and a slew of procedural penalties stunted the offense. The Ravens are 1-5 against the Chiefs under Jackson. Baltimore, by mere inches in the end, proved again to still be a tier below the league’s best team. C.J. Doon, editor: There’s a lot to chew on from this one. The Ravens’ offensive line was expected to be a work-in-progress, but those illegal formation penalties will certainly frustrate coach John Harbaugh as much as the missed blocks. Lamar Jackson didn’t have time to throw all night, as evidenced by his lack of downfield passing. He needed to get the ball out quickly, and the Chiefs’ aggressive defense didn’t make many mistakes. Jackson didn’t get much help, either. Derrick Henry looked like a game-changer on the opening drive, then virtually disappeared. Rashod Bateman had as many penalties (two) as catches — though his 38-yard grab with 43 seconds left gave the Ravens life. Mark Andrews was barely mentioned. Zay Flowers couldn’t shake loose all night (though Jackson missed him on two potential touchdown passes). How about Isaiah Likely, though? The Ravens liked what they saw from the third-year tight end all offseason, and he backed it up with a long touchdown catch and some powerful blocking. And that near-touchdown grab on the final play was a thing of beauty, toes be damned. Nothing against Justice Hill, but if he looks like your second-best offensive playmaker, you don’t have a shot to take down the defending champs on the road. Tim Schwartz, editor: Lamar Jackson showed Thursday night that he should be the front-runner to win his second straight and third NFL Most Valuable Player Award. The bad news is that this game showed all of the Ravens’ other flaws and how few playmakers they have around him. Yes, the Chiefs are probably the league’s best team and are always going to be hard to beat, but they are the standard, and Baltimore isn’t good enough to beat them — still. It’s only Week 1. January is a long ways away, and I’d guess that these teams will meet again in a win-or-go-home showdown at some point in the postseason. These are elite teams with elite quarterbacks. But the Chiefs have more talent than the Ravens do — and their number. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Staff picks for Week 1 of 2024 NFL season: Packers vs. Eagles, Steelers vs. Falcons and more Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens have grit, but they need to fix familiar problems to dethrone Chiefs | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s report card: Position-by-position grades for Ravens’ 27-20 loss to Chiefs | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Isaiah Likely’s career day nearly led Ravens to comeback victory vs. Chiefs: ‘He was just open’ Bennett Conlin, editor: That’s a brutal loss for Baltimore, which nearly put together an incredible comeback leaning on Lamar Jackson’s arm. Instead, the Ravens just weren’t quite sharp enough to beat the two-time defending Super Bowl champions on the road. Baltimore’s offensive line looked shaky at times, racking up early illegal formation penalties, and rookie right tackle Roger Rosengarten didn’t look ready for prime-time. A few defensive mistakes — Kansas City wide receiver Xavier Worthy’s second touchdown reception came without any defensive backs anywhere near him — were costly against Patrick Mahomes and company. Returning home against the Raiders is an easier second test, and Lamar Jackson, Isaiah Likely, and Zay Flowers demonstrated solid chemistry in the passing game. Regardless, Baltimore needs to clean up its play in future weeks. If it does, it can hang with anybody in the league. View the full article

The first stirring moment of the NFL’s season opener wasn’t some quarterback mastery or a thundering hit. It was three illegal formation penalties against the Ravens on their first seven plays. Then again late in the second quarter. What gives? The formation fouls were reviewed with teams “extensively” before, during and after training camps, according to Football Zebras, an NFL officiating account with 35,000-plus followers on X. The officiating-focused account said the NFL’s Competition Committee said the “bowing of the linemen” is an advantage in pass rush situations and needed to be addressed. Players must have their helmet aligned with at least the belt line of the center to avoid being flagged. The Ravens were the first victim of greater enforcement. Particularly Baltimore’s right tackle Ronnie Stanley who was responsible for three of the four calls in Thursday’s opening half. Patrick Mekari took the other one. Kansas City did not receive an illegal formation call in the first half. NBC color analyst Cris Collinsworth went as far as to note on the opening drive that the officiating crew was calling the penalty “razor-sharp.” There are three main prongs to the official rulebook on illegal formation: teams must have seven or more players on the line, eligible receivers must be on both ends of the line with all the players between them ineligible and no player may be out of bounds. All five offensive linemen must be aligned before the play otherwise they’re susceptible to a flag for illegal formation and a five-yard penalty. Teams have gotten leeway in the past. Although maybe not Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor who, in 2023, was flagged for illegal formation three times in two weeks in 2023. His 20 infractions worth 140 yards led the NFL by a wide margin. View the full article

Taylor Swift, center, cheers a Kansas City Chiefs touchdown standing next to Ed Kelce, right, during the first half an NFL football gameagainst the Baltimore Ravens, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann) Taylor Swift watches as the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) Taylor Swift is seen in a suite during the first half of an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Taylor Swift cheers before the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Baltimore Ravens at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Taylor Swift cheers before the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Baltimore Ravens at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Taylor Swift is seen in a suite before the start of an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Taylor Swift is seen in a suite before the start of an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 05: Taylor Swift arrives ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs v Baltimore Ravens game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) Taylor Swift arrives ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs v Baltimore Ravens game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) View the full article

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A rematch of the AFC championship game will have to wait a little while longer. The start of the Ravens’ season opener against the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chief has been delayed to 8:40 p.m., per the NBC broadcast, by lightning near Arrowhead Stadium. Heavy rain and wind started pounding the area shortly before 7:30 p.m. ET, just over an hour before the original kickoff. With flashes of lightning and rumbles of thunder, fans and personnel were cleared from the stands and the field. The inclement weather was due to move through the area by around 8 p.m. and fans were allowed to return to their seats, but the players need time to continue their warmups before kickoff. Baltimore is looking to avenge its 17-10 loss in last season’s AFC title game. The highly anticipated matchup also for the first time pits two players who have won multiple NFL Most Valuable Player Awards in Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes. This article will be updated. View the full article

The 2024 NFL season kicks off tonight with a rematch of the AFC championship game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs. The highly anticipated matchup between Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes at Arrowhead Stadium (8:15 p.m., NBC) will mark the first time that two quarterbacks who have won multiple NFL Most Valuable Player Awards will meet to kick off a season. Follow along here throughout the night for live coverage. View the full article

Most of the Ravens’ rookie class will be out for Thursday night’s NFL season opener against the host Kansas City Chiefs. Safety Beau Brade, cornerback T.J. Tampa, outside linebacker Adisa Isaac, center Nick Samac and wide receiver Devontez Walker were among seven players declared inactive before kickoff at Arrowhead Stadium. Veteran defensive lineman Brent Urban and second-year offensive lineman Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu will also not play. Urban is perhaps the most surprising name, leaving the Ravens with Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones, Michael Pierce and Broderick Washington along the interior defensive line. Brade, a former River Hill and University of Maryland star, was the only undrafted player to make the 53-man roster, but the Ravens have a deep safety room led by All-Pro Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams, Eddie Jackson and seventh-round draft pick Sanoussi Kane. Isaac, a third-round pick, missed practice this week as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Tampa, a fourth-round selection, missed time earlier this offseason after having sports hernia surgery. Walker, a fellow fourth-round pick, dealt with a rib injury during the preseason and did not make a push to unseat veteran Nelson Agholor as the team’s third wide receiver behind Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. Running back Rasheen Ali, a fifth-round pick, was listed as doubtful before the game and later placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least the first four games. The Ravens signed linebacker Josh Ross to the active roster and also activated defensive back Ka’dar Hollman and running back John Kelly from the practice squad for Thursday’s game. For Kansas City, former Ravens wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown was declared out Wednesday with a separated shoulder. Also inactive are tight end Peyton Hendershot, offensive lineman C.J. Hanson, offensive tackle Ethan Driskell and defensive tackle Marlon Tuipulotu. View the full article

John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens head coach, arrives before taking on the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce arrives before the start of an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson warms up before the start of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson catches a ball thrown back to him during warmups before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann) Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes warms up before the start of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) View the full article

Gatorade has signed Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson to its roster of “the next generation of football greats.” Jackson, a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player who kicks off the 2024 season Thursday night against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, joins the athletes promoting the sports drink’s ties to football, a relationship that spans nearly 60 years. In a new ad campaign, the brand owned by Pepsi kicks off the NFL season by highlighting “trailblazers on and off the field” including Jackson, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson and Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, Gatorade announced in a news release. “Lamar Jackson is a true generational talent and a standout example of what a Gatorade athlete embodies — leadership, perseverance and dedication,” Jeff Kearney, head of sports marketing for Gatorade, said in the release. In addition to the NFL pros, Gatorade has also enlisted flag football star quarterback Diana Flores and fashion designer Kristin Juszczyk as the brand celebrates inclusivity. “From the rise of women’s impact on the sport and the growing spotlight on flag football, to the new era of athlete individualism, football is changing — and Gatorade is using its latest campaign … to help usher in that change,” the release said. Juszczyk, the wife of former Ravens and current San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk, has designed a limited-edition capsule collection of Gatorade essentials including a custom duffle bag, towel and water bottle. The items will be available only on Gatorade.com beginning on Thursday, Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | 10 bold predictions for 2024 NFL season: Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, Kyle Hamilton win big Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Derrick Henry and Chiefs’ Travis Kelce take on tigers, battle for Megan Thee Stallion’s favor in new Pepsi ad Baltimore Ravens | The NFL’s first mother-daughter agent tandem is here, forging a path for women: ‘The scene is changing’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens fan guide to 2024 NFL season: Everything you need to know before kickoff vs. Chiefs Baltimore Ravens | Why Chiefs’ blitz wreaked havoc on Lamar Jackson — and how the Ravens can answer it The ad campaign — “You Know We Got ‘IT’’ — launches with a 45-second spot narrated by Jackson that Gatorade envisions as a “new locker room anthem.” The film begins with a voice over that asks: “Do the Ravens have it this year? Can Lamar get it done?” as it zooms in on Jackson in the locker room. He responds: “They’re trying to write us off. Y’all got it?” His Ravens teammates quickly agree as they clap and say “yeahhhhh.” “This campaign is all about the idea that ‘IT’ is an internal mindset that drives you to be your best, which rings true for me,” Jackson said in the release. “I’m hyped for athletes everywhere to think about how their ‘IT’ can help them lock in and be great.” Jackson, 27, has previously done advertisements with Oakley, Bose and Nissan for the car company’s popular “Heisman House” campaign. Last April, he signed a five-year, $260 million extension with Baltimore, which at the time made him the NFL’s highest-paid player in terms of average annual salary. View the full article

The NFL season is back, so let’s have a little fun. From a surprise Super Bowl winner to a historic MVP season to a few statistical records, here are 10 bold predictions for the 2024 campaign: 1. The Giants finish with the league’s worst record Let’s start off with a mild take. The Giants have the third-worst odds of winning the Super Bowl and a projected over/under of 6.5 wins, according to Vegas Insider, so there is not much public confidence in a successful season. But New York went 6-11 last year with a combined 11 starts from veteran Tyrod Taylor and undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito at quarterback. How much worse could it be? Here’s your reminder that Daniel Jones is back. After declining to select a quarterback in April’s draft, the Giants are sticking with the 2019 first-round pick and his $47.9 million cap hit. In five seasons as the starter, the last of which was limited to six games because of a torn ACL, Jones has a 22-36-1 record and one playoff win. While he showed flashes as a rookie and in Year 1 with coach Brian Daboll, there’s scant evidence that he can become an above-average starter — despite being paid like one. For all the flashy names on this roster, including rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and newly acquired pass rusher Brian Burns, there are just as many holes. Star running back Saquon Barkley is gone, the offensive line is ranked 29th by Pro Football Focus and the secondary was in such dire need of help that veteran Adoree’ Jackson was signed a week before the season opener. If Jones gets hurt again, it’s Drew Lock and DeVito behind him. The Giants have a chance to exceed expectations if Jones improves, Nabers is a star and their young players take a step forward, but this roster looks more like a contender to receive the first overall draft pick than post a winning record. 2. The Chargers win a playoff game in Jim Harbaugh’s first season Whether it’s the University of San Diego, Stanford, the San Francisco 49ers or Michigan, Harbaugh has built a winner wherever he goes — and it usually happens quickly. While the Chargers’ roster was in rough shape after the firing of coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco, Harbaugh brought in some familiar veterans and a promising draft class led by Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt. Word has already spread about how he’s changed the culture of a consistently mediocre franchise with his “enthusiasm unknown to mankind.” Of course, there are plenty of reasons why Los Angeles might struggle. Star quarterback Justin Herbert has been dealing with a foot injury and hasn’t had a full offseason to learn offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s system. Joshua Palmer is the leader of an underwhelming group of wide receivers. Pass rusher Joey Bosa has played 14 games in two years. Who knows how long former Ravens running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards will stay healthy. But we’re choosing to believe in the mystique of Harbaugh. Last year, the Chargers went 3-8 in games decided by seven or fewer points. Based on their point differential, they were closer to a seven-win team than 5-12. According to ESPN, Harbaugh went 17-7 in games decided by seven or fewer points during his time with the 49ers, and he’s coming off a College Football Playoff national championship. The coaching upgrade alone should put this team in the playoffs with a serious chance to pull off an upset. 3. Lamar Jackson wins a second straight MVP Award This might not sound bold, but consider the historical precedent. Jim Brown, Brett Favre, Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers are the only players to win back-to-back NFL Most Valuable Player Awards, and only six players have ever won it three or more times. A third trophy would put Jackson in the same company as Rodgers, Favre, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Johnny Unitas. The betting odds reflect Jackson’s uphill climb to repeat. He’s listed as the seventh favorite at 16-to-1, according to Vegas Insider, well behind Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow. But when we consider that recent MVP voting patterns have largely honored the best player on the best team, Jackson should always be in contention. He’s 58-19 as a starter in the regular season, and the Ravens had the best record and the best point differential in the league last year. With Derrick Henry now in the backfield and an exciting group of pass catchers around him, not to mention a very talented defense, what’s stopping a slimmer, faster and more confident Jackson and the Ravens from dominating again? Bold prediction: Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton wins NFL Defensive Player of the Year. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) 4. Kyle Hamilton is named Defensive Player of the Year The last safety to win this award was Pittsburgh Steelers legend Troy Polamalu in 2010. Since then, New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (2019) is the only defensive back to do it. Sacks have become the sexy stat for voters, with defensive linemen winning four straight DPOY Awards and nine of the past 10 overall. So why should Hamilton get any love? Because there might not be a better all-around defender in the league. In his breakout All-Pro season, the Ravens’ 2022 first-round pick recorded 10 tackles for loss, four interceptions, three sacks and 13 passes defended as one of the key cogs in a defense that led the league in sacks, takeaways and fewest points allowed per game. Those aren’t gaudy numbers by any means, but it’s hard to find a player who can rush the passer, cover receivers and make big hits all over the field the way Hamilton can. According to Pro Football Focus, Hamilton was the only safety to earn pass-rush and coverage grades over 90 in 2023. He’ll have to be even more impressive to win this award in 2024, and that starts with splash plays. The former Notre Dame star’s tipped pass to himself for an easy pick-six against the Cleveland Browns will forever live on Hamilton’s highlight tape, but he’ll need more of those plays week after week — and particularly in high-profile, prime-time games — to get the voters’ attention. He certainly has the talent to do it. 5. CeeDee Lamb is the first player to eclipse 2,000 receiving yards Here are the other receivers on the Dallas Cowboys’ roster: Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Ryan Flournoy and Jalen Brooks. The Cowboys have Pro Bowl tight end Jake Ferguson, but who do you think Dak Prescott is throwing the ball to? Ezekiel Elliott? Last season, Lamb comfortably led the league with 135 catches — 16 more than Miami’s Tyreek Hill and Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown. He finished just 50 yards behind Hill for the receiving yards crown with 1,749, which alone ranks ninth in NFL history. This offseason, he was rewarded with a four-year, $136 million deal. Calvin Johnson has come the closest to reaching 2K, finishing with 1,964 yards with Matthew Stafford and the Lions in 2012. Thanks to the addition of a 17th regular-season game and Dallas’ desire to air it out — Prescott finished fourth in the league with 590 pass attempts last year — there’s a good chance we see history this year. Bold prediction: Is it so crazy to think that Jets running back Breece Hall can’t eclipse 2,000 yards from scrimmage and perhaps take a run at Chris Johnson’s NFL record of 2,509? (Adam Hunger/AP) 6. Breece Hall sets the single-season yards from scrimmage record Playing behind a terrible offensive line and catching passes from Zach Wilson, Trevor Siemian and Tim Boyle, Hall ranked fourth in the league with 1,585 yards from scrimmage (994 rushing, 591 receiving). And that was just a year removed from a torn ACL that prematurely ended his rookie season. This year, he’ll have a healthy (for now) Aaron Rodgers at quarterback and a revamped offensive line that brought in Tyron Smith, John Simpson, Morgan Moses and 11th overall draft pick Olu Fashanu. Is it so crazy to think that Hall can’t eclipse 2,000 yards from scrimmage and perhaps take a run at Chris Johnson’s NFL record of 2,509? To do it, he’ll need a much higher volume of rushing yards. Johnson ran for 2,006 yards that 2009 season, making him at the time just the seventh player in league history to eclipse the 2K mark. In 2019, Christian McCaffrey joined Roger Craig and Marshall Faulk as the only players to record at least 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season. Last year, Hall only had one game in which he eclipsed both 50 rushing yards and 50 receiving yards — a Week 16 win over the Washington Commanders in which he had 20 carries for 95 yards and 12 catches for 96 yards. He’ll need more of those performances to have a chance at setting the record. 7. The 49ers fail to win a playoff game San Francisco has reached at least the conference championship game in four of the past five seasons, including two trips to the Super Bowl. Why would that change all of a sudden? For starters, the NFC West should be much better this season. The last-place Arizona Cardinals have a healthy Kyler Murray and standout rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The Seattle Seahawks have a talented offense and a defensive mastermind in new coach Mike Macdonald. The Los Angeles Rams lost superstar defensive lineman Aaron Donald but brought back the nucleus of one of the league’s best offenses. The 49ers ended up bringing back stars Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams after a puzzling offseason of contract negotiations and have the league’s best play-caller in coach Kyle Shanahan, but the hangover for the Super Bowl loser has historically been too much to overcome. Questions about the offensive line and running back Christian McCaffrey’s calf injury could hurt what has been one of the league’s most efficient offenses in the Shanahan era. New defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen is a first-time play-caller, and the defensive line is not as fearsome as it used to be. And are we totally sure Brock Purdy is as good as last year’s numbers suggest? He came in at No. 12 in Mike Sando’s annual quarterback tiers list, a notable jump from last year, but there are still questions about whether he’s just a product of Shanahan and a strong supporting cast. San Francisco nearly lost in the divisional round last season before rallying to beat the Packers in the final minutes, then had to overcome a 24-7 deficit against the Detroit Lions in the NFC title game. They won’t be so lucky this year. Bold prediction: Jalen Hurts and the Eagles miss the playoffs in 2024. (Chris O’Meara/AP) 8. The Dolphins and Eagles miss the playoffs This prediction is not an indictment of quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts, but rather their supporting casts. While the Eagles have one of the league’s most talented rosters, reported dysfunction between Hurts and coach Nick Sirianni last season sent Philadelphia spiraling from 10-1 to an embarrassing wild-card-round exit. Jason Kelce, a future Hall of Fame center, retired. Vic Fangio is the team’s third defensive coordinator in three seasons. There are major question marks at linebacker and in the secondary. On paper, Miami seems destined for a great season. Tagovailoa has another year with coach Mike McDaniel and receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Speedy running back De’Von Achane is healthy. Anthony Weaver brings his Ravens influence as defensive coordinator. So why does it feel like the whole operation is so fragile? For one thing, the offensive line remains a concern, especially along the interior. Bradley Chubb is still recovering from a torn ACL, Jalen Ramsey is dealing with a hamstring injury and defensive end Jaelan Phillips is on a snap count after returning from a torn Achilles tendon. Since the league expanded to 32 teams in 2002, roughly six teams that made the playoffs fail to return the following year. Count the Dolphins and Eagles among that group. 9. Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels lead their teams to the playoffs Could this year have shades of 2012? That season, rookie quarterbacks Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson all led their respective teams to the playoffs, while Ryan Tannehill’s Dolphins finished second in the AFC East at 7-9. Like Luck and Griffin, Williams and Daniels went 1-2 in the draft and have plenty of promise. Williams entered perhaps the best situation for a No. 1 overall pick in history with a Bears team that inherited its pick from the Carolina Panthers and vastly improved its roster this offseason. Daniels, who followed Williams as the Heisman Trophy winner, takes over for a franchise that finally has some hope after an ownership change, the introduction of a new coaching staff and an influx of steady veterans. Williams plays in the same division as two of the NFC’s top favorites in the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, but his playmaking ability combined with an exciting group of pass catchers that includes DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and rookie Rome Odunze gives Chicago a chance to compete. The Bears’ defense, led by pass rusher Montez Sweat and cornerback Jaylon Johnson, could also be among the league’s top 10. In Washington, there are more question marks. Daniels has a true No. 1 receiver in Terry McLaurin and a reliable pass-catching running back in Austin Ekeler, but little depth behind them. Tight end Ben Sinnott and receiver Luke McCaffrey are promising but unlikely to become impact players as rookies. The offensive line has been overhauled, but there are no potential blue-chip players beyond right guard Sam Cosmi. That said, Daniels could be an immediate game-changer thanks to his rushing ability and touch on deep throws, propelling coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s offense to new heights. It’s a longshot, but in a quarterback-driven league, a pair of budding stars could surprise. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Derrick Henry and Chiefs’ Travis Kelce take on tigers, battle for Megan Thee Stallion’s favor in new Pepsi ad Baltimore Ravens | The NFL’s first mother-daughter agent tandem is here, forging a path for women: ‘The scene is changing’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens fan guide to 2024 NFL season: Everything you need to know before kickoff vs. Chiefs Baltimore Ravens | Why Chiefs’ blitz wreaked havoc on Lamar Jackson — and how the Ravens can answer it Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Chiefs staff picks: Who will win Thursday’s season opener in Kansas City? 10. The Seahawks win the Super Bowl Yes, the Seahawks. Here’s why. 1. Macdonald transforms the defense from one of the league’s worst to one of its best, thanks in large part to a breakout season from defensive back Devon Witherspoon, a bounce-back year for cornerback Tariq Woolen and a monster rookie debut from first-round pick Byron Murphy II. 2. Geno Smith plays like a top-10 quarterback. The 33-year-old veteran continues his late-career renaissance by throwing for 4,500 yards and 35 touchdowns to a standout group of pass catchers. Jaxon Smith-Njigba becomes one of the league’s premier young receivers to complement DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. 3. Kenneth Walker III stays healthy and becomes one of the NFL’s most explosive running backs, averaging more than 5.5 yards per carry while making a push to win the league’s Offensive Player of the Year Award. 4. Third-year outside linebacker Boye Mafe has a career season, recording 15 sacks as the leader of a pass rush that ranks near the top of the league in pressure rate thanks to Macdonald’s scheme. Remember, Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy combined for 18 1/2 sacks last season in Baltimore. There you have it. Now let’s get to kickoff. View the full article

New Ravens running back Derrick Henry is sometimes called “King Henry” due to his dominance on the football field. But before his debut with the team Thursday night, football fans will see him fighting for dominance in another (fictional) arena. Henry, who previously played for the Tennessee Titans, appears in a Gladiator-themed Pepsi commercial slated to run before and during Thursday’s broadcast of the Ravens-Kansas City Chiefs game. The ad finds him in the Colosseum alongside fellow football stars Travis Kelce, a running back for the Chiefs, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson as they battle tigers — but not each other — and seek the favor of an empress portrayed by rapper Megan Thee Stallion. The commercial also stars actors Jake Lacy and Lamorne Morris as bewildered Pepsi drinkers transported to the ring to watch as the action unfolds (“I really gotta stop thinking about the Roman Empire,” Morris quips.) The Ravens-Chiefs game will air on NBC and WBAL Channel 11 at 7 p.m. View the full article

Edy Lawson-Jackson was done waiting. She had been pushing off her dreams of becoming a sports and entertainment lawyer for decades — since 1989, to be exact. That’s when she first started interning at a law firm with a sports entertainment attorney. “I got a little view of what goes on behind the scenes and what’s involved,” Lawson-Jackson said. “And I just knew I couldn’t get into it at that time.” An ambulance sat outside the building as a group of prospective lawyers took the Pennsylvania bar exam. It was July 1993. Jackson-Lawson had obtained her juris doctor degree from Howard University, and she was also in the final month of her pregnancy with her first child. She was experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions during the two-day exam, but passing the bar was the first step in her journey of becoming a sports agent. So, she pushed through. “Listen,” Mark Jackson, her ex-husband says, “it was impressive. I don’t know how else to describe it. That’s a commitment. In fact, they had an ambulance, because she could’ve delivered early … and they may have needed to take her to a hospital. “It’s tenaciousness.” And one of the many traits that Lawson-Jackson passed on to their daughter, Samira Jackson, who was born in August 1993. Lawson-Jackson passed the bar exam on her first try, and Jackson did, too. Lawson-Jackson, a Baltimore native and a 1986 graduate of Baltimore City College, gained her NFL Players Association contract adviser certification in November 2010 on her first attempt. Twelve years later, so did Jackson. When the Silver Spring native earned her certification in October 2022 and joined her mother at Affiliated Sports Advisors (ASA), the pair made history. They became the first mother-daughter tandem to become sports agents in America — a dream both deferred and unexpected. When Samira Jackson, left, earned her certification and joined her mother, Edy Lawson-Jackson, at Affiliated Sports Advisors, the pair made history. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) “When I saw an opportunity … I said, ‘I’m going to get into the sports field. … I’ve been wanting to do something with sports all my life,’” Lawson-Jackson said. “I love watching sports. I love playing sports. I’ve got my daughter involved in sports. I was like, ‘I’m going to do this. I’m going to go ahead and take the exam to be a certified contract adviser for the NFL.’ “I said that I’ve waited long enough, and I’m gonna do it.” Of the 994 certified NFL agents, 88 are women, the NFLPA said. That means women account for approximately 8.9% of the approved contract advisers. Chineze Nwagbo, the NFLPA’s director of player programs and engagement, explained that while the number of women is still very limited, their impact is increasing. The lifelong Ravens fans were just working at the AFC championship game between Baltimore and the Kansas City Chiefs in January. “Edy is a great example, which means Samira will be two times better,” Nwagbo said. “We always hear of generational wealth, but in this case it’s generational opportunity, so I’m not surprised that they’re the first ever.” Neither the lack of women, nor how few agents are successful, nor the money required to stay in the game deterred the mother and daughter. Annual agent fees and insurance cost $3,000. The certification exam is another $1,200. For a player that will go undrafted, an agent spends a minimum of $20,000. That includes dinners, travel, lodging, training and more, the pair explain. And for a first-round lock, agents are clearing upward of $250,000. “We like guys like us who are gonna bust their [butt], work hard and get the job done,” Jackson said. “We want someone who’s going to be defiant, against the numbers. “We want underdogs who were told, ‘You can’t do it.’ Who were told, ‘Maybe it’s not for you.’ Who were told, ‘At best, maybe you’ll get a shot.’ And then they go on, and they excel, and they stay humble and rooted in gratitude.” Jackson, who joined Markham Law Firm as an associate attorney this month, has always known that she wanted to be a lawyer. Malachi Fuller, a former classmate at the University of Maryland and CEO of a creative agency, said it was obvious since they met as sophomores in statistics class. He remembers how prepared Jackson was and just how closely she paid attention to the details. Greg Linton, a mentor and fellow agent at ASA, said Jackson has always put her best foot forward. “Anything that Samira puts her mind and heart to, it’s a matter of when, not if,” Linton said. “You’re Samira, was failure ever an option?” While Jackson always knew she wanted to become a lawyer, her mother wasn’t so set in that regard. Initially, Lawson-Jackson, who grew up on Baltimore’s east side, wanted to be a ballerina, then a gymnast and finally landed on becoming an acrobat in the circus, both she and her older sister, Celest Swann, recalled. Lawson-Jackson used to sell parking spaces in her parents’ driveway for Baltimore Colts games and walk through the parking lot of Memorial Stadium to get to City. That’s where she fell in love with Latin and her classical studies, in addition to her extracurriculars as a member of the band, a part of the track and field team and ultimately, homecoming queen. Soon, writing, language and history became Lawson-Jackson’s interests, and that eventually evolved into her deciding to be a lawyer. The 56-year-old started her solo practitioner family law practice — the law office of E.A. Lawson-Jackson, LLC — in July 1999. Even though she dreamed of working in sports and entertainment law, those years working in family law proved invaluable. Atlanta Falcons defensive end Demone Harris cosigned that sentiment. The 28-year-old former undrafted free agent signed a futures contract with the Falcons this January — one of five current contracts Lawson-Jackson has negotiated. When Harris was going through his divorce, he turned to her. She found out what he needed to do and connected him with the right lawyer to represent him. “I truly believe that she’ll be there for me when that time comes for me to take the next step in my career,” said Harris, a Super Bowl champion last season with the Chiefs. “She really does care.” Defensive lineman Demone Harris’ deal with the Atlanta Falcons is one of five current contracts agent Edy Lawson-Jackson has negotiated. (Terrance Williams/AP) Linton explained that, oftentimes, he defers to Lawson-Jackson, and she leads the conversations with players or their families. They’ve been working together for eight years and joined forces when they realized how often they were exchanging ideas. The colleagues have known each other for more than a decade, after Linton offered to help Lawson-Jackson. David Blackburn, who joined the Ravens as a scout in 2007 before becoming the team’s director of college scouting in 2022, introduced Lawson-Jackson to Linton, as well as Eric DeCosta, Baltimore’s general manager, when he was still an area scout. Lawson-Jackson was connected with Blackburn thanks to former City classmate Darren Sanders — the Ravens’ longtime security director who died in 2021. These relationships helped Lawson-Jackson begin her career, which continued to include a plethora of connections to her hometown. Her first client, Justin Wells, who signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2012, attended Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. Tight end Bruce Figgins was the first player Lawson-Jackson signed to the Ravens. Shaquil Barrett, who briefly attended City, was one of her first clients to make an active roster, and she represented the two-time Super Bowl champion while he was with the Denver Broncos. “[Blackburn and Sanders] made it possible for me to even be doing what I’m doing,” Lawson-Jackson said. The people closest to Jackson and Lawson-Jackson believe they are the right pair to be the first. Both women have been through their respective shares of rejections and naysayers. Mark Jackson specifically recalled a time during his daughter’s first year at St. Thomas University’s Benjamin L. Crump College of Law. Jackson was told by a female faculty member that she wasn’t cut out to be a lawyer. “This is just outrageous, but in law school … after her first year, [she] suggested that Samira doesn’t have the stuff to be an attorney … she doesn’t have the capacity,” Mark Jackson said. “As you might imagine that was devastating to Samira … and we had to encourage her again, keep her on track, keep her focused, keep her remembering who she is and what her capabilities are. “Don’t let anyone stand in the way of your vision, because they may see it differently than you see yourself.” So, neither Lawson-Jackson nor Jackson have come off their respective or conjoined tracks. Even when they’ve been propositioned at the combine, not taken seriously or dismissed, they persevere. And that perseverance has paid off. Where some might overlook or underestimate these women, it takes only one validation — someone seeing what they’re trying to do — that reminds them that pursuing this dream is the right decision. “I just got a call from someone I had met at the combine years ago,” Jackson says, “He was a scout back then, and he left me a voicemail, and said, ‘Hey I’m no longer scouting, but I remember meeting you back at the combine over a decade ago. I remember that you were a young woman who meant business, and I’m back in the D.C. area. I’m looking to do X, Y, Z. … I always knew you were going to do great things and gonna make it.’ “That message meant a lot to me, because you get a lot of the opposite. … The scene is changing. And spaces where women were typically excluded, now we’re entering and excelling. Said Lawson-Jackson: “And I would hope that men reading this article will say, ‘You know what? I want to contribute to this change, as well.’” View the full article

The NFL is back. The Ravens and Chiefs kick off the 2024 season Thursday night in Kansas City, with Arrowhead Stadium hosting the league opener for the second straight year after quarterback Patrick Mahomes and company won their second straight Super Bowl title. Whether you’re a diehard fan or just tuning back in to Ravens games, here’s what you need to know before the new season starts: What’s new for the Ravens? A lot. After going an NFL-best 13-4 in the regular season and reaching the AFC championship game, the Ravens lost several players, coaches and staff members to rival teams while also bringing in a star running back and a promising draft class. Here’s a quick look at some of the notable players and coaches who have come in and out this offseason: IN Running back Derrick Henry: Already a legendary player for both his career production and rare combination of size and speed, the 6-foot-3, 247-pound former Alabama and Tennessee Titans star might be the missing piece for a high-powered offense that struggled to run the ball when it mattered most last season. Wide receiver-kick returner Deonte Harty: The Baltimore native and former Archbishop Curley star returned home this offseason, signing a one-year deal with the Ravens. Harty was an All-Pro kick returner as an undrafted rookie in 2019 and has averaged 25.2 yards per kick return and 10.4 yards per punt return in his career. Cornerback Nate Wiggins: The former Clemson star surprisingly fell to the Ravens at No. 30 overall despite being one of the fastest players in the draft. He could develop quickly into the shutdown corner the team has been looking for. Right tackle Roger Rosengarten: While left tackle Ronnie Stanley has solidified his side of the line with a strong offseason, Rosengarten and Patrick Mekari have battled to start at right tackle. At 6-5 and 316 pounds, Rosengarten might not be stout enough yet to hold up against NFL linemen, but the former Washington star’s athleticism could be an asset. Wide receiver Devontez Walker: While Zay Flowers has star potential and Rashod Bateman has earned the team’s trust in the form of a contract extension, there’s room for another receiver to soak up targets from quarterback Lamar Jackson. The former North Carolina standout has impressive speed, but he didn’t show in training camp or preseason games that he’s ready to make an immediate impact. Outside linebacker Adisa Isaac: The Ravens used a third-round pick on Isaac, making another big investment in a young pass rusher. The former Penn State star has been hampered by injuries thus far, with a hamstring ailment keeping him out Thursday, but he could push his way into the rotation sooner than later. Safety Beau Brade: The former Maryland and River Hill star made the team as an undrafted free agent thanks to a standout training camp and preseason. Playing for the Ravens is a dream come true for the Howard County native, who could be part of the secondary rotation and have a role on special teams. Safety Eddie Jackson: The two-time Pro Bowl selection with the Chicago Bears signed a one-year deal in the offseason to serve as a rotational piece in a deep secondary. The 30-year-old veteran has 15 interceptions and 10 forced fumbles in seven seasons. OUT Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald: After leading a dominant defense that became the first in NFL history to rank first in sacks, takeaways and points allowed last season, the 37-year-old was hired as the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. Linebacker Patrick Queen left the Ravens to sign with the Steelers this offseason. (Gene J. Puskar/AP) Inside linebacker Patrick Queen: The 2020 first-round pick blossomed in his fourth season in Baltimore, earning Pro Bowl honors. But with the Ravens committing $100 million to fellow linebacker Roquan Smith, Queen became a free agent and signed a three-year, $41 million deal with the rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.: He played just one season in Baltimore, but the three-time Pro Bowl selection was a big part of the Ravens re-signing Jackson last offseason and provided a steady veteran presence while enjoying his most productive season since 2019. After being released in a cost-cutting move, the 31-year-old signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Miami Dolphins. Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney: The 2014 No. 1 overall pick had a resurgent season in Baltimore, recording 9 1/2 sacks while serving as a mentor to the Ravens’ young pass rushers. He was so good that he became a big-ticket free agent, signing a two-year, $20 million deal with the Carolina Panthers. Running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards: The longtime backfield pairing in Baltimore signed with the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason to reunite with former Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman and play for Ravens coach John Harbaugh’s younger brother Jim. Offensive linemen Morgan Moses, John Simpson and Kevin Zeitler: Moses, a right tackle, and Simpson, a left guard, will be blocking for the New York Jets and quarterback Aaron Rodgers after being traded and signing as a free agent, respectively. Zeitler, who earned his first Pro Bowl nod last season, is expected to start at right guard for the Detroit Lions after the Ravens decided not to bring the 34-year-old veteran back. Safety Geno Stone: Thrust into more playing time last season after a series of injuries, Stone recorded an AFC-best seven interceptions. The 2020 seventh-round pick was rewarded with a two-year, $14 million deal from the rival Cincinnati Bengals. Wide receiver-kick returner Devin Duvernay: The two-time Pro Bowl selection had his least productive year as a receiver in 2023, catching just four passes for 18 yards, but the Jacksonville Jaguars surprisingly gave the 27-year-old a two-year, $8.5 million deal for what he can do as a returner. Is anyone hurt? So far, the Ravens have largely avoided the injury bug that has often struck in recent seasons. Here’s a look at who’s sidelined, and for how long: Running back Keaton Mitchell: The undrafted rookie became an overnight sensation last season, averaging 8.4 yards per carry and 10.3 yards per catch in seven games. Then he tore his ACL in mid-December. He’s expected to be sidelined for at least the first four games after starting the season on the physically unable to perform list. Cornerback Arthur Maulet: The 31-year-old veteran became a dependable slot defender in his first season in Baltimore and put together an outstanding training camp before being sidelined to have arthroscopic knee surgery. Harbaugh said the injury is not “season-ending,” but Maulet might not be back until at least October. Running back Rasheen Ali: The rookie fifth-round draft pick suffered a stinger in the preseason opener and was limited with a neck injury at practice this week. He’s doubtful to play Thursday. Cornerback Trayvon Mullen: Because of various injuries, the 2019 second-round pick and cousin of Lamar Jackson has yet to play in a game for the Ravens after being claimed off waivers in January 2023. The 26-year-old was placed on season-ending injured reserve after dislocating his shoulder in the preseason finale. Running back Owen Wright: The Bethesda native and former undrafted free agent out of Monmouth is out for the season after breaking his foot in the preseason finale. Wright, who spent all of last year on the practice squad, was battling to be the No. 3 running back. What other names should I know? Coach John Harbaugh: With New England Patriots legend Bill Belichick no longer employed, Harbaugh is the league’s second-longest tenured coach. In his 16 seasons in Baltimore, the Ravens have been one of the league’s most successful franchises, going 160-99 with 10 playoff berths and one Super Bowl title. But Harbaugh’s teams haven’t returned to the big game since winning it all at the end of the 2012 season, going 3-6 in the postseason over that span. Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr was promoted this offseason to replace Mike Macdonald. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Defensive coordinator Zach Orr: The 32-year-old former Ravens linebacker will call plays for the first time as an NFL assistant after being promoted from inside linebackers coach. Orr got into coaching after his playing career ended prematurely because of a rare congenital spine condition and has quickly become a rising star. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken: It’s Year 2 in Baltimore for the longtime NFL assistant, who helped Jackson win MVP in 2023 but faced fierce criticism after the Ravens struggled to run the ball in the AFC championship game loss to the Chiefs. Jackson’s mastery of Monken’s scheme will play a big role in determining the team’s success. Middle linebacker Roquan Smith: After being acquired from the Bears in the middle of the 2022 season, Smith has established himself as one of the league’s premier defenders to continue a proud legacy in Baltimore. The 2023 All-Pro is a trusted and vocal leader, often delivering the pregame speech on the field. Safety Kyle Hamilton: The 2022 first-round draft pick became a star in his second season, earning All-Pro honors with his ability to blitz, make open-field tackles and fly to the ball in coverage. He’ll be a Swiss Army knife for a defense that likes to use three-safety looks. Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike: After leading all NFL interior linemen with 13 sacks last season, Madubuike signed a massive four-year extension worth $98 million with $75.5 million guaranteed. With the rest of the Ravens’ pass rushers either older or unproven, Madubuike — who recently changed his first name to honor his Nigerian heritage — is an important piece for a defense with high expectations. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey: The three-time Pro Bowl selection lost weight this offseason and is finally healthy after having foot surgery last August and dealing with various injuries throughout the 2023 season. This year could be his last to prove he should stay in Baltimore after signing a lucrative five-year extension in 2020. Outside linebackers Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo: Oweh, a 2021 first-round pick, and Ojabo, a 2022 second-round selection, were high school teammates in New Jersey who bonded over their Nigerian roots. After a promising offseason, they’ll be counted on to not only stay healthy but lead a pass rush that led the league in sacks last year. Inside linebacker Trenton Simpson: After Queen’s departure, the former Clemson star steps in next to Smith in the middle of the defense. The 2023 third-round pick had a season to learn and develop, but the pressure is on to fill big shoes and keep one of the league’s top defenses humming. Wide receiver Zay Flowers: The 2023 first-round pick set a franchise rookie record with 858 receiving yards last season. In Year 2, he’s expected to be the Ravens’ top target and potentially blossom into a Pro Bowl-caliber player. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman: Despite coming off a season in which he recorded just 367 receiving yards and one touchdown, the 2021 first-round pick received a two-year contract extension worth nearly $13 million. If he develops chemistry with Jackson, Bateman has the talent to be a much more productive playmaker. Tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely: While Andrews has been Jackson’s favorite target since entering the league together in 2018, he’s coming off a severe ankle injury that kept him out for a large chunk of last season. Likely, meanwhile, is poised for a bigger role on offense after impressing as Andrews’ replacement at the end of last season. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley: The 30-year-old veteran is now five years removed from his All-Pro peak in 2019, but he’s looked impressive in practice and is determined to prove he can still play at a high level after struggling last year and taking a pay cut this offseason. Fullback-tight end Patrick Ricard: The Ravens’ offense has performed much better when Ricard is on the field thanks to the four-time Pro Bowl selection’s ability to block and create mismatches. Where do the Ravens rank in the NFL? Similar to last season. The Chiefs are the favorites to win a record third straight Super Bowl title at 5-to-1 odds, according to Vegas Insider, followed by the San Francisco 49ers (6-1), who Kansas City beat in overtime for last year’s championship. The Ravens have the third-best odds to win it all at 10-1, followed by the Detroit Lions (12-1), Philadelphia Eagles (12-1), Cincinnati Bengals (13-1), Buffalo Bills (16-1), Houston Texans (16-1) and Green Bay Packers (16-1). Can Lamar Jackson win another NFL Most Valuable Player award? Jim Brown, Brett Favre, Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers are the only players to win back-to-back NFL MVP Awards, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see Jackson claim the trophy again. With his ability to put up huge passing and rushing stats and the Ravens likely to contend for the league’s best record again, Jackson meets the two most important prerequisites when considering recent voting patterns. Put simply, the award goes to the best player on the best team. But he’s far from the favorite to repeat. Mahomes has the best odds at 5-1, according to Vegas Insider, followed by Bills quarterback Josh Allen (8.5-1), Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9-1), Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (10-1), Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (10-1) and Packers quarterback Jordan Love (14-1). Jackson is a distant seventh at 16-1 — the same odds as 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy — but he wasn’t considered one of the favorites this time last year, either. The Rams and Cowboys line up for a kickoff under the new NFL rules. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times/TNS) Why do the kickoffs look so weird? In an attempt to inspire more kickoff returns and cut down on injuries from high-speed collisions, the NFL is experimenting with a new format that looks drastically different from previous years. Without going into too much detail (which you can find here), the kickoff will more closely resemble a running play with blockers and defenders lining up within five yards of each other. The strangest part is the kicker standing alone behind his team and the returners lining up in the 20-yard “landing zone” behind their blockers. Only the kicker and returners can move until the ball is touched or hits the ground. Perhaps most importantly, onside kicks are no longer permitted until the fourth quarter. The kicking team must also declare its intention to try an onside kick, removing the element of the surprise. Who else do the Ravens play? After Thursday night, the Ravens return home to M&T Bank Stadium to face the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 15. It’s one of Baltimore’s few Sunday afternoon home games in a schedule that includes five prime-time matchups and a Christmas Day playoff rematch against the host Houston Texans. Ravens 2024 schedule * – Flexible scheduling games Week 1 (Thursday, Sept. 5): at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20 p.m., NBC Week 2 (Sunday, Sept. 15): vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 1 p.m., CBS Week 3 (Sunday, Sept. 22): at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m., Fox Week 4 (Sunday, Sept. 29): vs. Buffalo Bills, 8:20 p.m., NBC Week 5 (Sunday, Oct. 6)*: at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m., CBS Week 6 (Sunday, Oct. 13)*: vs. Washington Commanders, 1 p.m., CBS Week 7 (Monday, Oct. 21): at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:15 p.m., ESPN Week 8 (Sunday, Oct. 27)*: at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m., CBS Week 9 (Sunday, Nov. 3)*: vs. Denver Broncos, 1 p.m., CBS Week 10 (Thursday, Nov. 7): vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video Week 11 (Sunday, Nov. 17)*: at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m., CBS Week 12 (Monday, Nov. 25): at Los Angeles Chargers, 8:15 p.m., ESPN Week 13 (Sunday, Dec. 1)*: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m., CBS Week 14 (Sunday, Dec. 8): Bye week Week 15 (Sunday, Dec. 15)*: at New York Giants, 1 p.m., CBS Week 16 (Saturday, Dec. 21)*: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:30 p.m., Fox Week 17 (Wednesday, Dec. 25): at Houston Texans, 4:30 p.m., Netflix Week 18 (TBD)*: vs. Cleveland Browns, TBD View the full article

There’s all kinds of pressure on Lamar Jackson — to deliver on his draft night promise of winning a Super Bowl, to the kind he faced in last year’s AFC championship game loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The two are not mutually exclusive. On the quarterback’s two most spectacular plays of that game, what Baltimore didn’t do against the Chiefs’ blitz was a microcosm of the 17-10 defeat at M&T Bank Stadium. What lessons the Ravens have learned in the seven months since will be on display Thursday night in a rematch to open the NFL season at Arrowhead Stadium. But if Baltimore is going to move forward by showing it is capable of beating the two-time defending Super Bowl champions, a look back sheds light on one key area: the blitz. To wit, long before Jackson spun free of a would-be sack against a five-man blitz and hit Zay Flowers for a 30-yard touchdown pass to answer Kansas City’s opening score, the receiver was open in the flat with plenty of room to run. Two possessions later, Jackson stunningly caught his own pass for a 13-yard gain after Justin Reid batted the ball skyward, but it was the quarterback failing to drop back that prevented him from completing an easy lob over the charging safety to wide-open running back Justice Hill in the flat. Those were just two of the several plays Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner honed in on in his eponymous YouTube channel, QBConfidential. “I think so many of these guys have gotten used to bailing themselves out with athleticism,” Warner told The Baltimore Sun this week. “No matter how talented you are, it’s a tough world to live in. “For Lamar, we know how great he’s been. I think this is one area where he can improve, whether it’s his mindset and what he’s doing or whether it’s his challenging of the coaches to give him answers and not expecting to have to bail the team out with his greatness. … They’re going to have to handle pressure better. It wasn’t all Lamar — Lamar made some great plays against pressure — but they weren’t finished on the other end.” Having an answer with what Warner calls hidden yardage goes a long way, he says, especially against a team like the Chiefs. Last season, Kansas City blitzed Jackson on 43.5% of his drop-backs, per TruMedia, which was above the Chiefs’ 37% rate going into the game. It was an amount that Jackson said afterward surprised him, though the Houston Texans blitzed him a whopping 75.9% of the time the week before in the divisional round. And while Jackson was somewhat successful against the Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s five-man pressures, he struggled even more when they brought at least six rushers. That included on his own catch-and-run against Kansas City’s “blitz zero,” and two plays later when tight end Isaiah Likely ran an out-and-up rather than cutting the route off. The latter didn’t appear to be an option as Likely wasn’t looking back, but Jackson was nearly sacked before getting a pass off that fell incomplete. Other throws, meanwhile, were simply off the mark, including one to Flowers in the flat as Jackson failed to set his feet and an inside fade to Nelson Agholor that was beyond the wideout’s reach. By comparison, Warner pointed out how Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes often handled the Ravens’ myriad blitzes by making quick decisions and having “hot” route options, particularly in the first half. “Patrick is special because he does it all,” says Warner, adding that Mahomes could also go down as the best quarterback in NFL history, so it’s a tough comparison. “In a game like that, when you don’t make a couple of those big plays playing against Patrick Mahomes, you lose. That’s just the fact.” When Jackson was asked earlier this week about the challenge of the Chiefs’ blitz, he said it was more than that. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | The NFL’s first mother-daughter agent tandem is here, forging a path for women: ‘The scene is changing’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens fan guide to 2024 NFL season: Everything you need to know before kickoff vs. Chiefs Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Chiefs staff picks: Who will win Thursday’s season opener in Kansas City? Baltimore Ravens | Hollywood Brown out for Chiefs, no Ravens starters on injury report for Thursday’s NFL opener Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: Answering questions about pass rush, coordinators and more | COMMENTARY “It was all type of things that went on in the game that we felt like could’ve worked for us, went our way,” Jackson said. “We missed certain things throughout the game. It was all type of things. I just can’t pinpoint them blitzing us, because we picked them up sometimes, here and there. All type of things we could’ve done better that game.” He’s not wrong, of course. That the Chiefs blitzed Jackson and likely will do so again also shouldn’t be a surprise. The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player ranked in the top seven in opposing blitz rate each of the past three seasons, including first two years ago. So what’s the solution? “It’s going to take ID’ing those pressures when they’re coming, ID’ing how we pick them up or to block them or to throw off them if they’re hots … and then executing,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Sunday. “That’s what it takes. When a team comes after you and blitzes, you’ve got to meet them. You’ve got to meet them where they stand, stand your ground and attack them. That’s what you have to do. So we’ve been working hard at that. We always have, and looking forward to seeing how we do.” View the full article

Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Thursday’s season opener between the Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Brian Wacker, reporter Chiefs 23, Ravens 17: Questions on the offensive line, sweeping coaching changes, a first-year starter at inside linebacker and Arrowhead Stadium at night? None of that portends a successful outcome for Baltimore. Derrick Henry will get a lot more than six carries and Lamar Jackson and a defense that is still one of the top units in the league will keep the Ravens in it. But the combination of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, speedy rookie receiver Xavier Worthy and the mastery of coach Andy Reid and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will be too much to overcome. Childs Walker, reporter Ravens 26, Chiefs 24: Normal rules of quality go out the window with a Thursday night opener. Just look at last season, when the Chiefs dragged their feet through a home loss to the Detroit Lions. The Ravens will be hyped to face their nemesis and seem unlikely to keep their Derrick Henry-powered running game in the holster this time around. Patrick Mahomes, meanwhile, will start without a full set of targets. The Ravens will pull the upset in a battle that won’t tell us much about what might happen if these teams meet again in January. Mike Preston, columnist Chiefs 21, Ravens 18: Until proven otherwise, the Chiefs will stack the line of scrimmage and force quarterback Lamar Jackson to beat them downfield with the passing game. That strategy has paid off well against the Ravens in the postseason for the past six years. The Ravens are on the road playing in perhaps the loudest stadium in the NFL, and the Chiefs will be celebrating last year’s Super Bowl win as they try to three-peat. If there is one team that could pull the upset, it would be Baltimore, but Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes is a miracle worker. This should be an interesting game. C.J. Doon, editor Ravens 24, Chiefs 23: This feels like the best time to meet the Chiefs at Arrowhead. Wide receiver Marquise Brown is out, and it’s unknown how well speedy rookie Xavier Worthy will connect with Patrick Mahomes in his first game. Tight end Travis Kelce has been a thorn in the Ravens’ side, but he’s about to turn 35 and is going to get plenty of attention from Baltimore’s deep group of defensive backs. The question is whether new defensive coordinator Zach Orr can have as much success as Mike Macdonald did in shutting down the Chiefs’ offense for the majority of the AFC championship game. This is a huge test for Orr and the Ravens’ young pass rushers, who must be relentless in their pursuit of a special scrambler like Mahomes. Of course, it will be fascinating to see what Derrick Henry looks like running behind a largely unproven offensive line with three new faces. Lamar Jackson and Henry are good enough to overcome subpar blocking, but for how long? This Chiefs defense is formidable at all three levels, and coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has had Jackson’s number with this game serving as another data point in the star quarterback’s ability to beat the blitz. It might take an explosive play or two from Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman or Isaiah Likely to flip this game in the Ravens’ favor — or perhaps a few long runs from the slimmer and faster two-time NFL Most Valuable Player. It always feels like a coin flip when Jackson and Mahomes meet, and this should be no different. In the end, the Ravens are fueled by the sting of last year’s heartbreaking playoff loss and prove that they’re the team to beat in the AFC until an inevitable rematch in January. Put me down for a game-winning field goal by Justin Tucker as a measure of revenge for last year’s beef with Kelce. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | The NFL’s first mother-daughter agent tandem is here, forging a path for women: ‘The scene is changing’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens fan guide to 2024 NFL season: Everything you need to know before kickoff vs. Chiefs Baltimore Ravens | Why Chiefs’ blitz wreaked havoc on Lamar Jackson — and how the Ravens can answer it Baltimore Ravens | Hollywood Brown out for Chiefs, no Ravens starters on injury report for Thursday’s NFL opener Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: Answering questions about pass rush, coordinators and more | COMMENTARY Tim Schwartz, editor Chiefs 27, Ravens 24: So they meet again. All eyes will be on this AFC championship game rematch, and it’s hard to believe Kansas City would lose its season opener two years in a row. The Ravens had plenty of roster (and coaching) turnover and might need a little time to hit their stride. Facing Mahomes and the Chiefs on the night they receive their Super Bowl rings and raise another banner in front of a sold-out Arrowhead Stadium is a tall task for Baltimore. Anytime these two teams square off, one should expect a close game. It will be no different tonight, but I’ll take the Chiefs by a hair. Bennett Conlin, editor Ravens 24, Chiefs 20: Fair or not, Lamar Jackson receives plenty of criticism for his 2-4 postseason record. In the regular season, however, Jackson’s 58-19 mark as a starter puts his winning percentage (75.3%) on par with Mahomes’ (77.1%) in non-playoff games. Jackson is historically great as a regular-season underdog, going 12-1-1 against the spread in his career, according to ESPN’s Stats & Information. Defending Super Bowl champions are 0-3 against the spread in Week 1 over the past three years, with two outright losses. While the Chiefs might still three-peat, give me Kansas City opening with a loss for the second consecutive season. View the full article

No Ravens starters appeared on the final injury report for Thursday night’s season opener, with Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown the only key player on either side declared out for the rematch of last season’s AFC championship game. Ravens rookie running back Rasheen Ali was listed as doubtful after a neck injury limited him in practice all week. Veteran John Kelly is the top candidate to be elevated from the team’s practice squad to serve as No. 3 running back behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: Answering questions about pass rush, coordinators and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Chiefs scouting report for Week 1: Who has the edge? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Chiefs season opener a ‘tone-setter’ that ‘everybody is going to be watching’ Baltimore Ravens | How waves and a bridge help Ravens coach John Harbaugh juggle grief and football Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Zay Flowers put in the offseason work that could turn into breakout season Rookie edge rusher Adisa Isaac, who has not practiced since the team’s second preseason game because of a hamstring injury, was the only Raven listed as out for the opener in Kansas City. Brown, the former Ravens pass catcher who signed a one-year deal with the defending Super Bowl champions in the offseason, has been dealing with a shoulder injury. Chiefs coach Andy Reid had already said he was unlikely to face his former team. Kansas City listed eight other players, including All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones, on its injury report, but all were full practice participants throughout the week, and none carry an injury status for the game. View the full article