OWINGS MILL – Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is preparing for high pressure from the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL opener on Thursday night.
In last season’s AFC championship, the Chiefs blitzed Jackson on 43.5 percent of his dropbacks, and the elusive quarterback was sacked four times. Kansas City used six- and seven-man pressures to prevent Jackson having time in the pocket and running for significant yards.
The Ravens are expecting the Chiefs to use that same strategy in this game, especially against a Ravens offensive line that will have three new starters. Ravens coach John Harbaugh has been preparing for the blitz for weeks at training camp.
“That’s going to take [recognizing] those pressures when they’re coming; [understanding] how to pick them up or to block them or to throw off them with the hots and the different things and then executing,” Harbaugh said. “That’s what it takes. When a team comes after you and blitzes, you have to meet them. You have to meet them where you stand. Stand your ground and then attack them. That’s what you have to do. We’ve been working hard at that – we always have. [I’m] looking forward to seeing how we do.”
Jackson completed 20 of 37 pass attempts for 272 yards with a touchdown and interception for a 75.5 rating against Kansas City last season. He also carried the ball eight times for 54 yards.
However, the Ravens abandoned the running game in the second half despite having the No. 1 rushing attack in the NFL. The team signed four-time Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry this offseason, and he should get plenty of opportunities to carry the ball against the Chiefs.
Jackson also has been given more freedom to assess the defense at the line of scrimmage and the Ravens have been working on his cadence to throw off opponents’ timing. Jackson will get his first big test on Thursday night.
“I felt like I’m way ahead than when I first got in the system last year,” Jackson said. “[I’m] very comfortable. We have young guys on the offense – those guys are getting a lot [more] comfortable. We’re way ahead of where we were prior to minicamp.”
