The Baltimore Ravens blew out the New York Jets 24-9 in their season opener on Sunday. The offense took a while to get going, but their solid defense kept giving them opportunities to find their rhythm — and eventually, they did.
The Ravens had a new defensive coordinator in Mike Macdonlad as well as a few new players on the defensive side of the ball, and as a whole, the unit showed a lot of promise.
Free agent signings Marcus Williams and Michael Pierce did well introducing themselves to the Ravens fans. Although Pierce had been there before, his return fills a need for the Ravens’ defensive line.
The Ravens only gave up nine points, but the Jets did appear to move the ball well toward the end of the game. Quarterback Joe Flacco passed for over 300 yards, and the Ravens also gave up a few big runs to both Michael Carter and rookie Breece Hall as the Jets totaled 390 yards of total offense.
However, when it mattered, the Ravens were able to get off the field. For a team with a lot of new pieces moving around and players getting comfortable in a new scheme, the Ravens were relentless in getting after the ball. Even though they allowed 3-of-4 conversions on fourth down, the Ravens were stingy on third down.
The Ravens’ defense showed immense potential in Week 1
The Ravens’ defense forced two turnovers with a fumble recovery and a nice interception by Marcus Williams. The Ravens allowed the Jets to pick up yards, but on third down, they buckled down and held the Jets to 3-of-12.
As this unit settles in and gets more familiar with the new scheme and each other, the Ravens’ defensive unit could be one of the very best in the league.
If they are able to stay healthy, there is no clear weakness on this team. They can get after the quarterback rushing just four, and their secondary provides a solid foundation on the back end.
The Ravens will likely face stiffer opposition during the season, but the foundation is there to limit any offense in the league.