The Baltimore Ravens kicked off the 2022 season with a trip to New York against the Jets. The stories around this game and the Ravens themselves abounded. Would the Lamar Jackson contract situation distract the team? Would the numerous starters out for Baltimore affect the team? Could this be Joe Flacco’s big revenge game? There were many questions but they could only be answered by playing the game. Follow along as we break down this Week 1 matchup of the Ravens vs Jets.
Ravens vs Jets Recap: First Half
FIRST QUARTER
Things got started the right way for Gang Green, as the first play went for 19 yards by running back Michael Carter on the outside edge. However, the Ravens would put pressure on Flacco on back-to-back plays, including forcing an intentional grounding to bring up the game’s first fourth down.
The Ravens didn’t fair much better on their first offensive drive. After a handful of short yardage gains, Kenyan Drake got stuffed on 3rd and 2, forcing the Ravens to punt. Rookie punter Jordan Stout booted a nice punt to put the Jets on their own 11.
The following Jets possession would create a spark for the Ravens. A deep pass by Flacco would be picked off by Baltimore’s big offseason acquisition, safety Marcus Williams, who would take the ball back to the New York 14.
Despite the positional advantage, the Ravens were unable to capitalize. Receiver Demarcus Robinson would shake a Jets defender for a gain of eight yards on 2nd down, but that’s as much offense as could be mustered by the Ravens. An incomplete pass on 3rd down would force the Ravens to take a field goal. One Justin Tucker attempt later and Baltimore would have the first lead of the game, 3-0, with 3:16 left in the 1st quarter.
SECOND QUARTER
The start of the 2nd quarter began with a pass to receiver Rashod Bateman that was dislodged by a Jets defender, forcing the Ravens to punt. The ensuing drive by the Jets looked promising for New York. The Jets would drive all the way to the Baltimore 27 before Greg Zuerlein missed a 45 yard field goal to keep the Ravens lead at 3-0.
Following a New York punt, Jackson would take a deep shot to Robinson that would fall incomplete. However, Robinson would draw a pass interference call that would move the Ravens up to the New York 30. The next play would see Jackson launch a 25-yard pass into the endzone to receiver Devin Duvernay for the first touchdown of the game. A Tucker extra point would give the Ravens a 10-0 lead with 3:45 left in the first half.
The Jets wouldn’t go quietly into the half. A 22-yard run by Michael Carter would put the Jets on Baltimore’s 48-yard line. The Jets would get down to Baltimore’s 28-yard line before a forced fumble on tight end Tyler Conklin, recovered by the Jets, would halt yet another promising drive. Greg Zuerlein would boot a 45-yard field goal to cut into Baltimore’s lead right before the half, 10-3.
“I feel like it was just us feeling it out, out there. We didn’t play in preseason. I didn’t play in six games last year. Not much really.” Jackson said of his play in the first half and the offense’s slow start during the post-game press conference. “We got back in the swing of things and came out better in the second half and started putting points on the board.”
Ravens vs Jets Recap: Second Half
THIRD QUARTER
Getting the ball to start the second half, the Ravens hoped to conjure up more offense than in the first. A shifty eight-yard run by Jackson on 3rd down would give the Ravens a first down. That would be as far as the offense would go. A run for no gain and two incomplete passes brought up a quick 4th down. A 65-yard punt by Stout would negate any hopes the Jets had of getting great field position.
A quick Jets possession followed by a short punt saw the Ravens with the ball at the New York 44 to start their next possession. A handful of chunk plays would put the Ravens in the redzone. On a 3rd and 10, Jackson would find Devin Duvernay yet again for their second scoring connection of the day. Halfway through the 3rd quarter, the Ravens found themselves up 17-3.
The next Ravens possession would be a whirlwind of emotions. Mike Davis would fumble the ball after a nice run for a first down. A lucky bounce would let the Ravens keep possession. The very next play, Lamar would throw a 55-yard touchdown pass to Rashod Bateman. That would give the Ravens a 24-3 lead.
FOURTH QUARTER
Starting the 4th quarter, the Jets conjured up their best drive of the day. A handful of plays that went for 10-plus yards would put the Jets at the Baltimore 22. That would be as far as the drive would go. Safety Chuck Clark would force a fumble on rookie running back Breece Hall, and corner Marlon Humphrey would quickly recover. Unfortunately, the Ravens would be unable to turn the gift into points and punted.
Joe Flacco and the Jets would not go quietly into the night. Converting on 4th down twice, the Jets would drive down to Baltimore’s 6 yard line. Needing a touchdown to have any hope of staying in the game, the Jets lined up for a third 4th down attempt on this drive. This would not be the charm, however, as Flacco’s pass fell incomplete and the possession would switch.
Though the outcome of the game was a forgone conclusion, it wasn’t without its fireworks. Jackson would throw an interception to give the Jets solid field position. Flacco would then again drive the Jets to the Ravens redzone. The Jets would finally cross the goal-line, as Flacco found Tyler Conklin for a late touchdown pass. The ensuing extra point would be no good. Those would be the final points of the game, as the Ravens take a Week 1 victory over the Jets 24-9.
Speaking on Jackson’s play during the Ravens post-game press conference, head coach John Harbaugh had this to say: “Lamar [Jackson] played outstanding. He played a patient, veteran quarterback game. He was in control of everything, he did a great job at the line, handled the clock really well…He played a really veteran, winning quarterback type of a game.”
The Ravens (1-0) have their home opener next week (09-18). They host the Miami Dolphins (1-0) in a pivotal early season tilt.