The Baltimore Ravens got off to a fast defensive start as Ed Reed hits Mark Sanchez on the opening drive of the game and Jameel McClain scooped up the ball and headed straight to the end zone in Baltimore’s Stadium.
On the ensuing kickoff, Joe McKnight then takes the kickoff the distance and scores on a back of the end zone play for 107 yards, which was the longest play in Jets history. That play would tie the game at 7 still in the first quarter. So far its been a pretty exciting match for those that bought Ravens tickets for this game.
During the 2nd quarters there were two miscues by the Jets as Mark Sanchez fumbled 2 snaps given him by backup centers. The first was recovered by 3rd year pro Paul Kruger out of Utah. The next big play in the 2nd quarter was result of a big hit on Sanchez by Haloti Ngata. Outside linebacker Jerret Johnson took the fumble into the end zone for a 20 yard touchdown. At that point in the game, Baltimore already had a 27-7 lead. Before the end of the 2nd quarter though, Joe Flacco was looking for Ray Rice over the middle when David Harris picked off Flacco for a 33 yard interception return, bringing the Jets within 10 headed into the locker room after a field goal from the Jets.
The third quarter of this game was continuing on a back and forth see saw battle with Flacco once again being pressured and forced into another turnover, fumbling the ball on a scramble. Then with Sanchez’s own struggles continuing, being picked off by Lardarius Webb, a 3rd year pro out of Nicholls State. The Ravens and Jets were headed for the record 5 returns for touchdowns including 2 interceptions, 2 off fumbles and one kickoff return for the Jets. The other turnover by the Jets was the result of a Calvin Pace strip off a Ricky Williams run, which the Jets recovered on the play.
The fourth quarter saw little action as the Ravens held the ball for the 34-17 win.
The game saw little offensive game play as the defenses were dominant on both sides. 3 Defensive touchdowns for the Ravens was a franchise record. Very good job by the defense in making big plays and taking advantage of weaknesses of the Jets offense. The offensive will really have to start stepping it up if they want continue selling out of Ravens tickets.
Rex Ryan coached many of the Ravens players for several years as the defensive coordinator that the Ravens. It was an emotional time for Ray Lewis and other teammates who had only good things to say about their former coach.
Heading into the bye week, the Ravens have a 3-1 record and have a lead in the AFC west. If the Ravens are to continue to try and dominate at this level of play they will have to improve offensively and lead with the running game with better ball control through less forced turnovers by Flacco and company. There were only 3 receptions by wide receivers in this game for a total of 43 yards. The deep and intermediate passing game will have to come through in later games as they get ready for a playoff push.
