Jackson goes down but Ravens overcome Titans

The Baltimore Ravens returned home to M&T Bank Stadium looking to build on a dramatic 34-31 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Brazil. Sitting at 2-1, Baltimore had started the season strongly behind Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, who had already rushed for 301 yards and 6 touchdowns through three games coming into the afternoon.

The Tennessee Titans, meanwhile, arrived winless at 0-3 and desperate to get their season moving and give their fans something to be excited about. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward had struggled for consistency, while the Titans’ offense had yet to score more than 20 points in a game. For Baltimore, it was also a chance to end a four-game home losing streak and move to 3-1.

The afternoon could not have started worse for Ward and Tennessee, as a shovel pass went through Tony Pollard’s hands and into Trenton Simpson’s for an interception, which he returned all the way back to the Titans’ 37-yard line.

4 plays later and Henry was already on the board again, plowing into the end zone for the game’s opening score, as the Ravens threatened early to have a statement win against the hapless Titans.

Ward showed tremendous maturity in his response from the early turnover, spreading the football around to lead Tennessee down the field, before letting the run game take over in the red zone, as Tony Pollard found a seam on the goal line to level the scores, as the visitors made it clear they were here for business.

The class of Baltimore simply overwhelmed its counterpart, compiling explosive plays on its way down the field to eventually get the ball in the hands of Zay Flowers for the lead-taking touchdown.

Continuing to show growth against a defense that has had a tendency to play down to its competition, Ward led his team all the way down the field once again. Unfortunately for him, it came with no tangible reward, as Robert Saleh decided to go for it on 4th a goal, accepting that field goals were not going to be sufficient to overcome the high-octane Ravens offense.

Playing the role as conductor of Baltimore’s orchestra, Jackson could not have executed the next drive any more perfectly. A 28-yard gain to Rashod Bateman was immediately followed by 52 more for Flowers, before Mark Andrews eventually reaped the rewards as the Ravens jumped to a 14-point lead very quickly.

Needing a score of some kind to take something into the main break, the Titans looked to be entering field goal position before rookie Carnell Tate’s fumble opened the door for points to go the other way. The in-form Tyler Loop made sure of that, booting one from 64 yards out as time expired, giving his side a commanding 24-7 halftime lead.

What seemed like a stress-free, enjoyable day’s football for Ravens fans took a blow when Jackson was ruled out with an ankle issue, though it seemed mostly precautionary due to the massive lead, giving Jesse Minter no reason to take a chance with his star quarterback.

Tyler Huntley took the reigns and although he certainly did not have the same success, kept the game under control as the Baltimore defense continued to suffocate Tennessee, who never looked like mounting a comeback of significance
After Loop missed a 40-yard attempt that would’ve locked the game away, a last gasp effort for the Titans saw Wan’Dale Robinson cut the lead to 6 points, but it all hinged on an onside kick attempt, which was unsuccessful.

Baltimore escaped with a 24-18 victory, not even needing to put points on the board after halftime, such was their lead. They will wait on the significance of Jackson’s injury more than they will celebrate this victory, but it’s been a solid first month in the job for Minter, who will look to gain a stronghold over the AFC North in the coming weeks.

Touchdowns
Tennessee: Pollard, Robinson
Baltimore: Henry, Flowers, Andrews

Top Performers
Tennessee: Tate, Ward, Johnson II, Townsend
Baltimore: Jackson, Flowers, Hamilton, Simpson

Injuries
Tennessee: N/A
Baltimore: Jackson (ankle)

Crowd: TBC at M&T Bank Stadium