Ravens vs. Raiders: 5 storylines to watch in Week 2 matchup
The Ravens are home in Week 2, and their AFC West opponent provides the perfect opportunity for Lamar Jackson and his Baltimore teammates to remove the salty taste from the 27-20 loss to the Chiefs on opening night.
J.K. Dobbins rushes for 135 yards as the Chargers beat the Raiders 22-10 in Jim Harbaugh’s debut and Antonio Pierce’s first game as the official head coach in Las Vegas.
Veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew was 25 of 33 for 257 yards with a touchdown and an interception in his first game for the Raiders. With preparation set to begin on Wednesday, we’re looking at five early storylines to watch.
Lamar Jackson sore
Sep 5, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball against Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Jackson led the Ravens in carries last Thursday night, and he had the NFL media buzzing on Monday when he sat out the practice session. According to the Ravens’ official website, Jackson’s 16 carries (for 122 yards) against the Chiefs were the most he’s had in a game since the 2021 season. He was tackled on 13 of his 16 carries, hit in the backfield twice as a passer, and sacked once.
Derrick Henry’s usage rate
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 05: Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes the ball 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)
Against the Kansas City Chiefs last week, Henry finished with 46 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Henry’s workload will vary weekly, but Monday offered plenty of questions in regard to how much the former Titans star should be used early on.
“Every game is going to be kind of interesting and different,” Harbaugh said. “We didn’t bring Derrick in here to be the guy that gets the ball 30 times a game. He’s done that before. That’s really not the plan.
“I’m very confident there’s going to be games where Derrick’s going to go for 100+ or more, and you’re going to be asking me why Isaiah only got two catches. That’s going to be good for us. That’s what we want to be, we want to be unpredictable that way.”
Raiders defense is solid
Sep 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Joe Alt (76) defends against Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Raiders are rebuilding, and they’ll head to Baltimore with a solid defensive unit. In the Week 1 loss to the Chargers, Las Vegas allowed just 83 yards of offense on 23 plays, two first downs, and zero third-down conversions (0-7) in the first half. The Chargers finished just 4-of-15 on third down.
The 83 yards are the fewest allowed in a first half by the Raiders since 2019 (75 yards vs. Jacksonville; 12/15/19).
Maxx Crosby vs. Ravens retooled offensive line
Sep 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is tackled by Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Defensive end Maxx Crosby added five total tackles (two solo), 1.0 sacks, one tackle for loss, and four and three quarterback hits in the Week 1 loss. Crosby is now tied with Bill Pickel (53.0) for the fourth most sacks in Raiders history. Crosby also logged his eighth consecutive game with at least one tackle for loss, extending the longest active streak in the NFL.
Dynamic tight ends will take the field
Sep 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) runs for a first down before he is stopped by Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton (7) in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Baltimore has two of the NFL’s top tight ends, Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, but the Raiders will counter with the next generation of top pass catchers. Former Georgia All-American tight end Brock Bowers played 41 of the team’s 60 total offensive snaps and finished with 58 receiving yards on a game-high six receptions.
His six receptions are the most by a Raiders tight end in their NFL debut and tied for the second most in NFL history by a tight end in their NFL debut, behind Keith McKeller (nine receptions on Oct. 18, 1987).
Bowers’ 58 receiving yards are also the second most in Raiders history by a tight end in their NFL debut, behind Raymond Chester (89 yards in Week 1 of 1970).
