OWINGS MILLS — Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is not thinking about last season’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.
Instead, Jackson is focused on leading the Ravens to a win in a rematch in the NFL’s season opener Thursday night. He’s trying to treat the Chiefs like any other opponent, even though they are two-time defending champions.
“Any game I play in, I feel like it’s a revenge game. So, I’m not going just going to look at this game like it’s a revenge game,” Jackson said. “Anybody we’ve played, no matter if we’ve beat them or lost to them in previous years, I just want to win.”
The Ravens need to avoid the mistakes that cost them a chance to advance to the Super Bowl. Turnovers, poor coaching decisions, and careless penalties all played a part in the Ravens’ 17-10 loss at M&T Bank Stadium.
The Ravens had the league’s No. 1 rushing attack in the regular season, but offensive coordinator Todd Monken abandoned the run. The Ravens ran the ball only 16 times — eight by Jackson — for 81 yards against a Chiefs team that allowed 182 yards rushing the previous week to the Buffalo Bills. The running backs received six carries — three each for Gus Edwards and Justice Hill.
The Ravens signed four-time Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry this offseason and it’s likely he will have plenty of carries against the Chiefs. Henry is looking forward to the opportunity.
“This is what you’ve been anticipating [and] waiting for. Week 1 is finally here,” Henry said. “It feels like it’s been a long time coming. [I’m] excited to get to work and to Thursday.”
In addition, the Ravens had several uncharacteristic errors on offense, and rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers was involved in two key ones. Flowers caught a 54-yard pass from Jackson but was then penalized 15 yards for taunting after the catch. On that same drive, Flowers fumbled just before crossing the goal line on an 8-yard pass from Jackson that was recovered by Kansas City in the end zone for a touchback early in the fourth quarter.
On the next drive, Jackson threw into double coverage and was intercepted by safety Deon Bush in the end zone, ending any chance for a Ravens comeback.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is 4-1 head-to-head against Jackson.
“I don’t take anything from [Mahomes], I just play my game,” Jackson said “But he’s a great quarterback. I’m going to say that. He’s a great quarterback. He has the accolades to prove it, and he’s made things happen on the field that makes his team successful.”
