3 Ravens to blame for another agonizing loss to Chiefs in Week 1

If you're going to be the best, you have to beat the best. On Thursday Night Football, the Kansas City Chiefs once again triumphed over the Baltimore Ravens. It's a tale as old as time.

It was another frustrating loss for sure. And there is plenty of blame to go around. The offensive line and the officials were equally awful. They deserve some of the blame. However, even with the poor play of the line and the worst officiating we've seen in a minute, the Ravens still had their chances.

The three individuals to blame took those chances and soured them, securing a Week 1 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. It's time to play the blame game.

3 Ravens to blame for another agonizing loss to Chiefs in Week 1

3. Todd Monken - offensive coordinator

So much for "the offense will improve drastically under Todd Monken" train. That train never left the station against the Chiefs. The playcalling was all over the place and the offense struggled to move the ball consistently all night. It's tough to move the ball down the field when you're asking the offense to move the ball sideline-to-sideline.

Play after play, the offense was trying to go vertically but going horizontally. It was a mess and it didn't work. The sweeps and screens just weren't working against the Chiefs and instead of changing the gameplan, they leaned into their east-to-west plays more and ultimately needed big plays and miracles to keep them in the game.

2. Mark Andrews - tight end

Mark Andrews was a no-show against the Chiefs. Even though he caught all of his targets, he had absolutely no impact on the game. For the record, he was targeted twice. While it might initially feel like he didn't get the opportunity to showcase his talents, he was on the field for 74 percent of the offensive snaps. He had his chances.

He just didn't do anything with them. He couldn't get open or make a difference. The Ravens need Mark Andrews to perform well if they are going to beat a team like the Chiefs. The Ravens can get by versus a team with less talent, but not against a team like the Chiefs. He was nowhere to be found Thursday.

1. Lamar Jackson - quarterback

Two things can be true. Lamar Jackson was electric and was the best player, outside of tight end Isaiah Likely, for the Ravens. He missed open receivers in big moments. It was a tale of two nights for Jackson. He made history early in the game, passing Russell Wilson for third place all-time among NFL rushing yards for quarterbacks.

However, the bad Jackson showed when he missed wide receiver Zay Flowers wide open in the end zone with less than 10 seconds remaining in the game. He also overthrew Isaiah Likely in the end zone twice with under 15 seconds left in the game. Jackson needs to hit open receivers and he didn't. For as great as he played, he shoulders some big time blame for the loss.

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