Both Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes are ranked among the NFLs leading quarterbacks– not just in 2020 however possibly of their time. Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens started hot with a promising opening drive to score first at home, but it was Mahomes who took the program in a battle of former league MVPs, amounting to 5 touchdowns in easily his finest quote to recapture hardware in 2020.
Here are some instant takeaways from Monday nights thriller:
Why the Chiefs won
Patrick Mahomes, who became the fastest QB to reach 10,000 backyards passing for a profession (34 games) during the first half, was obviously determined to show his superiority in a video game including 2 previous MVPs at quarterback, and young boy did he do just that. No. 15 merely might not be included, even by a gifted Baltimore “D.” His hallmark arm was on screen for a handful of ideal deep balls, and his legs were likewise an underrated factor throughout the night, contributing to a truly MVP-caliber five-touchdown night. It didnt matter who he was throwing to– Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman, Eric Fisher (!). The precision was there. The touch existed. He was almost perfect. K.C. also benefited from Clyde Edwards-Helaires apparent versatility, with the novice gashing the Ravens on the ground and out large, while the defense was almost just as imposing, or at least when it mattered most. Led by veterans Frank Clark and Chris Jones, who combined for 3 sacks, the Chiefs left Lamar Jackson regularly disappointed, practically totally eliminating Baltimores downfield passing game.
Why the Ravens lost
Lamar Jackson may be among the NFLs most electrifying skills, however Monday was not his night. The QBs freakish speed was on screen plenty of times, and right out of eviction, it appeared it may lead Baltimore to a huge home victory. Through the air, however, he was essentially a non-factor, connecting finest with running back J.K. Dobbins while failing to strike on several late-game deep shots. Jacksons legs also worked against him sometimes, with the QB basically running himself out of a tidy pocket and into difficulty, especially as the game neared its end. Somehow, early on, the Ravens got away from their run-heavy attack despite flashes from both Mark Ingram and Gus Edwards, and they could never ever recuperate. Defensively, its tough to blame them for stopping working to slow a skill like Mahomes, however still, you cant expect to blow that lots of coverages and win a shootout. Permitting K.C. to convert on nearly all of their 3rd downs, they struggled mightily to keep the ball in Jacksons hands as time endured.
Turning point
The Ravens had practically all of the momentum about halfway through the 2nd quarter. Devin Duvernay had just returned a kickoff 93 lawns for a TD to bring the team within three. The defense required a three-and-out right afterward. But then, regardless of an appealing run-first drive to open the game and get themselves on the board, the Ravens inexplicably called up 3 straight passing plays. Jackson struck the very first, then misfired on targets to both Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews, establishing the Ravens own punt. Easily, a chance to actually turn the script fell flat, and K.C. continued to respond with a six-play, 75-yard TD drive to bust things open.
Play of the video game
You couldve selected any among Mahomes TD passes, however his moon shot to Hardman most likely takes the cake, even though Tyreek Hills own scoring catch was a much tougher reception. Mahomes backpedaled more than you d like to see your QB do, but then out came this years second-longest conclusion in terms of air yards took a trip:
Both Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes are ranked amongst the NFLs leading quarterbacks– not just in 2020 but possibly of their time. Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens started hot with an appealing opening drive to rating first at home, however it was Mahomes who stole the program in a battle of former league MVPs, amounting to 5 goals in quickly his finest bid to regain hardware in 2020. Assisted by a Chiefs defense that entirely stymied Baltimores passing attack, Mahomes and Andy Reid got the better of John Harbaughs club in the possible AFC Championship sneak peek, with the checking out Chiefs declaring a 34-20 victory to enhance to 3-0.
Patrick Mahomes, who ended up being the fastest QB to reach 10,000 lawns passing for a profession (34 games) during the first half, was apparently figured out to show his supremacy in a game including two previous MVPs at quarterback, and kid did he do just that. Defensively, its hard to blame them for failing to slow a skill like Mahomes, however still, you cant expect to blow that many protections and win a shootout.
Whats next
The Chiefs (3-0) will return home in Week 4 to host the New England Patriots (2-1), who just lasted longer than the Las Vegas Raiders. The Ravens (2-1), meanwhile, will strike the road to handle the Washington Football Team (1-2), which has actually surrendered a minimum of 30 points in 2 straight losses.
