10 observations from Baltimore Ravens heartbreaking loss to Kansas City

4. Justin Tucker is so incredibly valuable:

The Chiefs missed two field goals in this game and they were both on distances that would have been all but automatic makes for Justin Tucker. The Chiefs misses on special teams were huge in this game. Tucker infamously missed the PAT against the Saints, but it was shocking because it never happens. Tucker is the most accurate kicker in the NFL’s history. Tucker gives the Ravens an edge that not even the best team in the AFC can match.

3. Cyrus Jones is another weapon for the Ravens special teams:

Cyrus Jones returned a punt inside the 10 yard line in one of the most critical points in the game. Jones returned a punt for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders and has shown to be a valuable weapon. This is a pretty good deal for a team that started the season with a fumble fueled competition between Tim White and Janarion Grant at this position. The Patriots don’t make a ton of personnel mistakes, but they should have never let Jones go.

2. Lamar Jackson is a confident leader and the team believes in him:

Lamar Jackson is a leader. He was incredibly poised. There were times in this game where he looked like a rookie, but there were also times where he looked like he had done this 1,000 times before. That is a testament to who he is. Jackson is a player that excites and energizes the players around him. The players are rallying around Jackson, but he’s giving them a reason to do so. The fact that the Ravens let Jackson throw in the red zone, and on fourth down nonetheless show the faith that John Harbaugh has in his rookie. They went for it on fourth downs a couple times in this game. They went for the win with a rookie quarterback. Instead of trying to protect themselves from Jackson’s inexperience, the Ravens went for it.