There's the 24-hour rule of football, when you forget about a game 24 hours after it ends.
But after a loss like the 27-20 one the Ravens experienced in their season opener in Kansas City, and with a long weekend ahead, Baltimore may take 48 hours for that one.
Here are my thoughts, all in 50 words or less:
- Lamar Jackson talked all offseason about how badly he wants to win. In case anybody needed another demonstration, Thursday night was it. Jackson spun, lowered his shoulder, dove for extra yards. His sheer will put the Ravens in position to snatch a win but will wasn't enough.
- While you do what's needed to win any given game, that formula isn't what the Ravens want over the full course of the season. It's only Week 1, but the slimmed-down Jackson has to be sore after taking so many hits on 16 carries, his most since 2021.
- For as brilliantly as Jackson played, he's sick over missed opportunities down the stretch. Two deep shots to Isaiah Likely and Rashod Bateman sailed too long and fell too short. There was the end zone throw out of Likely's leaping reach and the missed opportunity to wide-open Zay Flowers.
- The Ravens posted 99 more offensive yards than the Chiefs. They had more first downs, were better on third down, rushed for 113 more yards, and had equal turnovers. It's not enough to be the better team. You have to make the critical plays, and there's no magic solution.
- The "12" personnel is here to stay with the Ravens rolling out two tight ends at a higher rate (52.7%) than any game last season. Likely must stay heavily involved. It won't stay that lopsided in terms of tight end targets, however. Mark Andrews was double-teamed a lot.
- The Ravens have long been looking for a YAC (yards after catch) monster at receiver. Flowers' juke moves make him one, which is why they try to get the ball in his hands often. Likely may be even more dynamic with his blend of size, speed, awareness, and jukes.
- On the Ravens' first offensive snap of the 2010 season opener at MetLife Stadium, young right tackle Marshal Yanda was beaten cleanly, Joe Flacco was rocked, and the Jets recovered his fumble. Yanda turned out alright. It's good to see rookie Roger Rosengarten bounce back after his inauspicious start. Patience.
- The flurry of illegal formation penalties were strange but didn't have much of an impact on the final result. That'll get worked out. Chris Jones got some fast wins, but he may be the NFL's best defensive tackle. I didn't see other Chiefs wreaking havoc. The offensive line settled in.
- Patrick Mahomes feasted on the middle of the Ravens defense. First-year Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr and Roquan Smith will take a hard look at this with some extra time before the home opener against the Raiders. The Chiefs may scheme it better than anyone, but Baltimore needs quick answers.
- The Ravens defense got pressure without bringing a lot of pressure. Orr only called for 5+ blitzers on four of Mahomes' 29 dropbacks, yet Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones, Odafe Oweh, and David Ojabo all got after the QB. This is particularly good news considering Kyle Van Noy's eye injury.
