Baltimore Ravens (0-2) – Las Vegas Raiders (1-1): 23-26
Baltimore was shocked! In a tight and physical match, the Ravens fell to the Raiders and their battering rams. Trailing by 10 points, Antonio Pierce's men never gave up until this winning field goal (23-26) in the final moments. The young coach may have his first benchmark victory here.
Despite more yards in attack, the Ravens can blame themselves for the level of their offensive line and especially their discipline. With 11 penalties for 109 yards, they allowed their opponents to breathe on certain defensive drives and continue to hope for offensive series.
Baltimore is struggling
A little surprise on the Maryland side with a Ravens team that leads by only 3 points at halftime (9-6). However, Baltimore dominates in attack with 174 yards against 43 in attack. Except that with only 19 yards on the ground, the Ravens' offensive machine seems to be stalled when its number 1 asset does not work as desired.
Baltimore is also limited by its penalties (4 at halftime) and an offensive line in difficulty, particularly against Maxx Crosby (6 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 pass deflected, 2 QB Hits). Nevertheless, Lamar Jackson and Zay Flowers (7 rec, 91 yards, 1 TD) accumulate yards in the air and put the team in position several times to score 3 field goals.
On the Raiders side, we can't blame Antonio Pierce's men for their self-denial and tenacious spirit. Except that it's not enough, especially on offense. 4 small yards on the ground, 64 in the air (4 yards per throw) for Gardner Minshew (30/38, 276 yards, 1TD, 1INT)…
The visitors still scored 2 kicks and could still hope when they returned to the locker room, trailing by only 3 points (9-6).
Just win baby
Yet we think that Baltimore did the hardest part at the beginning of the second half. The locals finally found the solution in attack. After a 29-yard run by Derrick Henry (18 carries, 84 yards, 1TD), it was the omnipresent Zay Flowers who received a pass from Lamar Jackson for the touchdown (16-6).
The sequences that follow perfectly illustrate the Raiders' tenacious spirit. After a 4th failed in the Baltimore camp, the visitors intercept Jackson (21/34, 247 yards, 1TD, 1INT) and go as far as the touchdown on the following offensive series (16-13).
Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers make big receptions to reach the goal line. And it's Alexander Mattison who finishes for the touchdown.
Once again, Baltimore thinks it has done the hardest part by taking the lead again on a touchdown by Derrick Henry. Except that the Raiders do not give up. They multiply the brilliant moves to stay in the game like Davante Adams (9 rec, 110 yards, 1 TD) and his superb reception.
After a field goal (23-16), the Raiders force the punt and recover the leather with 6 minutes to play. The purple defense does not find the solution to stop Minshew and Adams who multiply the connections and find themselves for the touchdown (23-23) less than 4 minutes from the end.
Baltimore is stunned. Unable to advance in attack, the locals give the ball back and see Las Vegas not miss the opportunity to win with a last kick (23-26).
If Maryland isn't on fire yet, the Ravens are going to have to wake up fast.
