BALTIMORE — The anticipation was palpable as quarterback Lamar Jackson jogged onto the field and the Baltimore Ravens prepared to run their first offensive play from their own 13-yard line. But unbeknownst to the crowd of 70,636 at M&T Bank Stadium, the Ravens had already mapped out their game plan.
During the team’s offensive meetings earlier in the week, coordinator Todd Monken had laid out a specific script for the first possession. If the Buffalo Bills lined up in a certain way, the Ravens were going to kick things off with a “crunch” run concept that would exploit the Bills’ aggressive defensive front that tended to rush upfield.
So when Jackson lined up in the pistol formation with running back Derrick Henry 2 yards behind him, the Ravens knew they had the perfect play call in place.
The result? A commanding 35-10 victory over the previously undefeated Bills in front of a prime-time audience. This win not only helped to steady the Ravens after a rocky start to the season but also showcased their potential going forward.
“It’s the start of it,” said Jackson with a wide smile in his postgame media appearance. “We got the running game going, but the receivers, they did their part. Just the type of game we had to run the ball more. They were playing two high (safeties), and Derrick just did what he was supposed to do, and the offensive line as well.”
The Ravens demonstrated their best performance in all three phases of the game, hinting at the possibility of a deep playoff run. With 427 total yards of offense, including 271 rushing yards (199 by Henry), Baltimore scored touchdowns on their first three possessions. They weathered a brief lull late in the second quarter but bounced back with two consecutive touchdown drives in the second half.
Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton likened the win to “the last fight,” emphasizing the team’s resilience and determination to come out on top.
Head coach John Harbaugh lauded his team’s commitment to hard work and improvement. “They’re going to meet, they’re going to work on football and they’re going to practice the way they’re supposed to practice. And when you do that as a football team, you have a chance to improve,” Harbaugh remarked.
The Ravens defense, which had been under scrutiny, shut down a potent Bills offense that had been averaging over 37 points per game, allowing just one touchdown in the third quarter. Buffalo managed only 236 total yards of offense, averaging 4.1 yards per play, while the Ravens enjoyed a 7.9-yard average.
Looking ahead, the Ravens face a division rival in the Cincinnati Bengals next week, hoping to build on the momentum from this victory. The game against the Bills served as a template for the 2024 Ravens, emphasizing the importance of a strong running game led by Derrick Henry, who continues to impress in his new role with the team.
At 2-2, the Ravens have turned a corner after their slow start, signaling to the rest of the league that they are a force to be reckoned with. The road ahead may be challenging, but with performances like this one, the Ravens are ready to rise to the occasion and make a statement in the NFL.
