BALTIMORE — The Ravens fell to 0-2 with a 26-23 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2.
Here is the Report Card:
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Lamar Jackson was 20-for-30 for 236 yards with a touchdown and an interception that led to a Raiders touchdown. He also ran five times for 35 yards. Jackson was under almost constant pressure for the second consecutive week and missed a couple of long throws downfield. The entire offense was ineffective late in the fourth quarter. Grade: C
Running backs: Derrick Henry managed just 5 yards on seven carries in the first half. However, he got rolling in the third quarter and finished with 84 yards on 18 carries. Henry was not a factor late in the game because the Ravens were trying to push the ball downfield with disappointing results. Justice Hill had four carries for 32 yards. Grade: B-
Wide receivers/tight ends: For the second straight game, the Ravens’ wide receivers failed to make much of an impact except for Zay Flowers, who caught seven passes for 91 yards with a touchdown. Rashod Bateman had three catches for 40 yards, but he bobbled a pass that turned into the interception. After finishing setting career-highs with nine receptions for 111 yards and a 49-yard touchdown last week against the Chiefs, tight end Isaiah Likely was targeted just three times. Fellow tight end Mark Andrews had five targets, three more than last week. Grade: C-
Offensive line: The Ravens used the same starting lineup for the second consecutive game — left tackle Ronnie Stanley, left guard Andrew Vorhees, center Tyler Linderbaum, right guard Daniel Faalele, and right tackle Patrick Mekari, who was beaten by defensive end Maxx Crosby for a first-quarter sack. Rookie Roger Rosengarten entered for Mekari and did a more effective job against Crosby. Still, this unit struggled with run blocking and pass blocking. Grade: D
DEFENSE
Linebackers: Outside linebackers Kyle Van Noy had two sacks and Odafe Oweh might have had his best game and finished with 2 1/2 sacks. Roquan Smith had a team-high 11 tackles and Oweh had five. Trenton Simpson continued his strong development. Grade: B+
Defensive line: The Raiders could not create any semblance of a running game and had just 27 yards on 17 carries. Nose tackle Michael Pierce had a half-sack. The Ravens also received solid pressure from Nnamdi Madubuike, Brent Urban, and Travis Jones. It was a solid effort from this unit. Grade: A
Secondary: Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew was 30-for-38 for 276 yards with a touchdown and interception. Davante Adams had nine catches for 110 yards with a touchdown. Cornerback Brandon Stephens had a costly pass interference penalty in the end zone. Marlon Humphrey did make an interception. Grade D
Special Teams: Justin Tucker missed a 56-yard field goal attempt that could have changed the direction of the game. Jordan Stout shanked a punt that traveled 24 yards and allowed the Raiders to start their game-winning drive at the Ravens’ 43-yard line. Not a good day for special teams. Grade: D
COACHING
It’s not exactly time to hit the panic button, but it’s close. The Ravens are 0-2 for the first time since 2015 and face an uphill battle to get the season back on track. Coach John Harbaugh lost two challenges that he really had no chance to win. The offense lacks an identity and the defense gives up too many big plays. Losing the home opener at sold-out M&T Bank Stadium stings. Grade: D
