“Don’t wait for the right opportunity; create it.” -George Bernard Shaw
If these first few weeks of Ravens football have taught us anything, it’s that good things happen when you seize your opportunities, and bad things happen when you don’t. Week 1 encapsulated what this team can do when it creates its own opportunities, and Week 2 showed what happens when they let an opportunity slip away. Sunday’s game was a case study both of those lessons.
The Ravens captured a regular season victory at Gillette Stadium for the first time in franchise history, but it didn’t come easily. There were several moments that looked like opportunities were slipping away.
One play can make the big difference.
Patrick Queen had a chance at a pick-6 from Mac Jones but dropped it.
Drive ended up with a 2-yard rushing touchdown for Harris, #Patriots take the lead. pic.twitter.com/8Jvs7WIKWI
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 25, 2022
After recording a touchdown in each of his first two outings of the season, Rashod Bateman had a pair of opportunities on plays that I’m sure he’d like to have back.
.@justjjones with the force & @JabrillPeppers with the scoop.
📺 on @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/8mAkP1qZt1
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 25, 2022
Rashod Bateman's last two touches: maybe-should've-caught it long ball and a fumble after a nice catch.
Ravens need more from their recent first-rounders today.
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) September 25, 2022
Luckily, those missed opportunities were overshadowed by the ones the team was able to capture, off the backs of some guys who have been VERY opportunistic this season.
Devin Duvernay, maybe the player with the most marked improvement this season, set up a scoring drive on a big return, and snagged this beauty of a touchdown.
HIM @Dev_Duv5 pic.twitter.com/Ciwv8EuSDa
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 26, 2022
Duvernay entered the season with a receiving group looking for an impact player, as Hollywood Brown’s departure left the void of a thousand-yard receiver. While he may not rack up that kind of yardage, his impact has been undeniably impressive to start the season, and he looks to be making the most of his opportunities.
"To see @Dev_Duv5 flourish in the last few games this season.. is just great." pic.twitter.com/zHe1EVowKV
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 26, 2022
The ever-impactful Mark Andrews made his presence felt with eight catches, including a pair of house calls and a Mossing of Devin McCourty.
Sunday was just another day at the office for the always reliable Mark Andrews. 📈 @Mandrews_81 pic.twitter.com/5Mnxi2IzeC
— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2022
But the player who seems to be making the most of a season of opportunity thus far is Lamar Jackson. Following an offseason when he and the team didn’t come to terms on a contract extension, Jackson had the opportunity to bet on himself with his performance.
I’d say his making the most of it so far.
Most yards per carry this season:
9.3 — Lamar Jackson
8.6 — D’Andre Swift
7.3 — Khalil Herbert
6.8 — Aaron Jones pic.twitter.com/l8lwWBqahh— StatMuse (@statmuse) September 26, 2022
Lamar Jackson vs Patriots:
💰 218 passing yards
💰 4 TD passes (1 int)
💰 107 rushing yards
💰 1 rushing TD pic.twitter.com/UpzsaPO72j— PFF (@PFF) September 25, 2022
Lamar Jackson leads the NFL in passer rating (119.0) and passing TDs (10).
He's also 3rd in the NFL in rushing yards (243). pic.twitter.com/fxB7J5hvbl
— FantasyPros (@FantasyPros) September 25, 2022
Lamar Jackson this season:
12 TD
2 INTAnd two 100-yard rushing games. pic.twitter.com/iBVzkbMo1O
— StatMuse (@statmuse) September 25, 2022
The only team with more Total TD than Lamar Jackson… is Baltimore 🤯 pic.twitter.com/AvPCm1N6zG
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 26, 2022
This coming weekend presents another huge matchup for the Ravens, as they host their final AFC East opponent on the slate in the powerhouse Buffalo Bills. Like the Ravens, the Bills were just barely edged out by the Dolphins, and, like the Ravens, it was in large part due to their injury-depleted secondary.
Buffalo’s projected starting secondary today in Miami:
🏈CB Kaiir Elam – rookie 1st-round pick
🏈CB Christian Benford – rookie 6th-round pick
🏈S Damar Hamlin – 2021 6th-round pick
🏈Jaquan Johnson – 2019 6th-round pickThis group has made three NFL starts entering today.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 25, 2022
Following the matchup in Miami, news broke that Buffalo’s already banged-up unit got a little thinner.
Bills rookie CB Christian Benford fractured hand in loss to Dolphins (per @RapSheet)https://t.co/llQwgcZbXh pic.twitter.com/hCTnVjt6tb
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) September 26, 2022
The opportunity for a big game is there. The Ravens just have to take it.
