For the first time since 2019, Ravens fans were welcomed back into M&T Bank Stadium and the Baltimore faithful came out in droves. The Bank was rocking from the opening kickoff to the final whistle, keeping the atmosphere electric for virtually every second in between. The game itself was an emotional roller coaster right down to the final play and the result was one Ravens fans have been clamoring for for years. Lamar Jackson got his long awaited victory over the Mahomes led Chiefs and the Ravens got their first win of the season in a big way.
The game couldn’t have possibly gotten off to a worse start for the Ravens. On 2 and 10, Lamar Jackson overthrew Marquise Brown that would have been a long touchdown. On the very next play, Sammy Watkins slipped on his route and Lamar’s pass sailed right into the waiting arms of Tyrann Mathieu, who then returned it for a touchdown. A short time later, Lamar threw one of the worst passes of his career into triple coverage and Mathieu again came up with the interception.
Instead of bogging the former MVP down, however, the turnovers only seemed to motivate Lamar even more. The quarterback put the team on his back in a big way, totaling 346 yards of total offense and 3 total touchdowns. Lamar played a clean game after his disastrous fourth quarter and showed the world he can slay his biggest demons under the brightest lights.
There's only one @Lj_era8.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 20, 2021
Now on NBC pic.twitter.com/NQMgKIwFm2
Of course Lamar couldn’t have done all of his heroics had it not been for his team stepping up around him. The offensive line, a week removed from a horrendous game, played much better and helped to keep the pocket clean for Jackson for most of the game. Jackson’s was only sacked once and plenty of holes were opened up in the run game. Ty’Son Williams continued his hot streak by rushing for 77 yards on 13 carries while drastically improving in pass protection. Marquise Brown, who was unsure if he’d play at all, stepped up in a big way to the tune of 6 catches for 113 yards and a touchdown. Brown did well to find space and create yards after the catch, becoming the playmaking threat that Ravens fans always knew he could be.
The defense had seen better days. The stop unit had several missed tackles, failed to put consistent pressure on Mahomes, and gave up several big plays. Still, the defense stepped up when it mattered most, shutting the Chiefs out in the 4th quarter and forcing the game winning fumble. While the defense has many concerns at this point, there are a few bright spots. Odafe Oweh, who many called a project, already looks like an absolute defensive force. Anthony Averett stuck with Tyreek Hill for most of the game and held him to 3 catches for 14 yards.
How’s everyone feeling about that @JaysonOweh pick now?
— Garrett Downing (@gdowning14) September 20, 2021
In his first two games he has a sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery and pressure that led to an INT.
And he clearly isn’t afraid of the moment. He’s a star in the making.
pic.twitter.com/FQkRtwnE4d
The game sealing fumble recovery (both forced and recovered by the aforementioned Oweh) did not end the dramatics. Needing just one first down to end the game, the Ravens were staring at a 4th and 1 from their own 43 yard line. Coach Harbaugh stared his quarterback down and asked Point blank “you wanna go for it?” Not wanting to punt the ball back to a dangerous Chiefs offense, Lamar wanted the ball in his hands and replied with a simple “Hell yeah.” One 2 yard quarterback run later, the game was over. It is a call that should go on to live in the annals of Baltimore sports history.
“LAMAR! You wanna go for it?” will forever live in Ravens lore #RavensFlock https://t.co/pFGEEKx2FY
— TD Hunter (@tdhunter52) September 20, 2021
Despite fielding a depleted roster, traveling across the country on a short week, the Ravens slayed the AFC juggernaut and Lamar Jackson got that monkey off his back. He showed he can battle back from adversity. He can come back and win despite being down multiple scores. He can beat Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. But make no mistake about it: this was a team win through and through with every single Raven stepping up to do his part. There’s still plenty of games left in the season but this may be the sweetest victory the Ravens have all year. An emotional victory was cheered on by an absolutely electric crowd. Football is officially back in Baltimore.
