The Baltimore Ravens suffered a stunning loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 on Sunday night. After holding a 15-point lead late in the fourth quarter, they found themselves on the losing end by the time the final whistle sounded, falling 41-40
Despite the loss, quarterback Lamar Jackson played with a Superman cape on his back. It was a great effort, but it just was not enough. Here are three observations on Jackson after the team’s season-opening loss.
3 Lamar Jackson observations from Ravens’ Week 1
Todd Monken finally lets Lamar run the read option against Buffalo...until he doesn't
One aspect of the game that the Ravens were missing in their playoff matchup with Buffalo last year was the element of surprise via the read option. With a player like Jackson under center, his rushing ability is just as big a threat as his passing. He consistently runs for over 800 yards each season. However, offensive coordinator Todd Monken did not draw up a single read option play for Jackson in the Divisional Round. That changed on Sunday night.
REMINDER: The Ravens called ZERO option runs in the playoff game. (they have 3 tonight and Lamar has like 40 and TD)
— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) September 8, 2025
Zero.
With Lamar Jackson.
The two-time MVP ran rampant on read options early. He took advantage of edge defenders like Joey Bosa, who gave him way too much room, running for several first downs and keeping the chains moving. It definitely helped keep the defense honest and open up rushing lanes for the running back Derrick Henry.
In the most crucial moments, though, Monken and company inched away from their creativity and got conservative. Buffalo could not stop the read option all night, and when every snap mattered most, the playcalling was horrendous.
Interior offensive line play could plague Jackson throughout the year
The passing offense had its moments on Sunday, specifically with wide receiver Zay Flowers making plays all night. However, Jackson had barely any time to throw on nearly every drop back. Countless times, he had to use his legs to extend plays, and ultimately, that is an integral part of why they blew the game.
Right tackle Roger Rosengarten had a tough go of it, but much of the blame falls on the shoulders of the unproven offensive guards Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele. Buffalo’s defensive front pushed around the guard duo, as they found themselves in the backfield on pretty much every drive. Yes, they did well clearing lanes for Henry, but on the pass protection side of things, they made most plays a struggle.
Lamar Jackson receives MVP chants
Per usual, Jackson pulled off several otherworldly plays. Just when the Bills’ defense thought they had him dead to rights, Jackson pulled a rabbit out of a hat time and time again. He was so incredible that he somehow got MVP chants inside Highmark Stadium.
While it ended in a loss, it was a miraculous effort from Jackson. He toughed it out behind a horrific offensive line that gave him little to no breathing room all night. It was an ugly team effort, as Baltimore's late-game collapse will go down in NFL history as one of the worst, but that was in no part because of Jackson.