'Not my kryptonite': What Ravens gained from loss to Chiefs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After the Baltimore Ravens‘ 27-20 loss Thursday evening, a reporter talked about to Lamar Jackson how he as soon as described the Kansas City Chiefs as his group’s “kryptonite” 4 years in the past.

“Ain’t my kryptonite,” Jackson snapped again.

“What’s that?” the reporter requested.

“Not my kryptonite,” Jackson mentioned.

Jackson and the Ravens fell to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs for the fifth time in six meetings. From the skin, the Ravens have not found out the Chiefs’ dominance, dropping to Kansas Metropolis within the AFC Championship Recreation to finish final season after which dropping to Kansas Metropolis to start out this season.

Contained in the Ravens locker room, the gamers have been happy with how they fought and got here inside an overturned landing on the ultimate play from probably upsetting the two-time defending Tremendous Bowl champions. There was an aura of defiance surrounding the Ravens as they left Arrowhead Stadium.

The Ravens have been THIS CLOSE to scoring the game-tying landing 👀#Kickoff2024 pic.twitter.com/08KjTVFHQZ

— NFL (@NFL) September 6, 2024

“I would say that is in all probability the worst sport we will play all 12 months,” Ravens tight finish Isaiah Likely mentioned. “So, if that is the perfect that they have, good luck within the postseason.”

Baltimore took solace in the way it went blow-for-blow with Kansas Metropolis regardless of poor execution at occasions. The Ravens have been flagged 5 occasions for unlawful formation, together with three on left deal with Ronnie Stanley. Beneath new defensive coordinator Zach Orr, Baltimore allowed its most touchdowns in an opener (three) since 2021 and kicked itself for the blown protection that led to a wide-open Xavier Worthy catching a 35-yard landing within the fourth quarter.

“I consider everybody in our locker room hates dropping, point-blank interval — coaches, trainers, tools guys, cafeteria men and women and positively the gamers — as a result of we’re on the market placing it on the road, blood, sweat and tears,” Jackson mentioned. “And for us to lose to these guys, and the best way we misplaced, regardless that I do not need to lose, however I am unable to be mad at my guys as a result of we battled.”

Nonetheless, with 1:50 left and no timeouts, Baltimore gave itself an opportunity by driving from its personal 13-yard line to the Kansas Metropolis 10. Jackson took three pictures into the tip zone to get the Ravens inside one level of the Chiefs, however he was unsuccessful every time.

“I believe collectively, as a bunch, we all know that so long as we’re resilient it doesn’t matter what occurs, we are able to nonetheless be within the sport,” Ravens working again Derrick Henry mentioned. “We have playmakers throughout the sector. We [can get] again within the sport on a drive. We have simply obtained to remain locked in, have a perception in each other and let the remainder handle itself.”

Not like earlier conferences with Kansas Metropolis, Jackson performed simply in addition to — and even higher than — Mahomes.

The Chiefs quarterback threw for 291 yards, one landing and an interception and rushed for 3 yards. Jackson threw for 273 yards — together with 127 within the fourth quarter — and one landing. His 122 yards dashing are essentially the most by a quarterback in a season opener in NFL historical past.

This marked Jackson’s ninth profession sport with not less than 200 yards passing and 100 yards dashing. No different participant has had greater than three such video games.

“He confirmed you what kind of participant he’s,” Seemingly mentioned. “The 2-time MVP [doesn’t] again all the way down to no one, regardless of the place we’re, regardless of whose atmosphere [we’re in or] who we’re going up towards. He will present you who he’s each snap, each play, whether or not it is working or passing. He exhibits you that he is Lamar Jackson.”

Jackson simply could not make the ultimate play to elevate Baltimore. With 18 seconds left on the Chiefs’ 10-yard line, Jackson overthrew Seemingly within the nook of the tip zone after which did not see an uncovered Zay Flowers in the long run zone till after he tried a move to Rashod Bateman.

On the ultimate play, Jackson stepped up into the pocket and ran in a circle earlier than launching a move to a leaping Seemingly behind the tip zone. After it was initially dominated a landing, the Ravens have been about to line up for a 2-point conversion to try to win the sport. However the officers reversed the decision on a replay evaluate.

“There is a cause he is a two-time MVP, however as a protection, we should always’ve by no means put these guys in that place,” Ravens center linebacker Roquan Smith. “It begins with us as a protection and eliminating explosive performs, eliminating numerous errors that we had, after which giving the offense as many alternatives to do what they do. We’ll do this the remainder of the best way. That is the worst we’ll play all season. I can promise you that.”