The Ravens will be back home on Sunday, ready to return to winning.
Baltimore will play its 2024 home opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, and M&T Bank Stadium will be rocking. Here are my thoughts, all in 50 words or less:
- The Ravens want Derrick Henry fresh for the long haul, so don’t expect him to get 300 carries this season. However, the Raiders gave up 176 yards rushing in Week 1. In his home debut, Henry could get rolling against Las Vegas if Ravens decide to ride him.
- The Raiders move Maxx Crosby around, using their best pass rusher to attack offensive lines from different positions. Both Crosby and Chris Jones have 27 sacks since the start of 2022. Baltimore's offensive line faces another huge challenge.
- In Week 1, the Ravens scored twice as many points against Kansas City as they did in the AFC Championship. Even with three new starters up front, I think Baltimore's offense led by Lamar Jackson will ultimately be better and more explosive than last season.
- Isaiah Likely went wild when the Chiefs frequently double-teamed Mark Andrews. If the Raiders double-team Likely, Andrews is fully capable of taking over a game. Defending Baltimore's tight ends has truly become picking your poison.
- Speaking of the O-line, opening on the road against the Chiefs is as tough as it gets, specially when the officials seemed obsessed with calling illegal formation penalties. The point has been made, and Ronnie Stanley should feel less like a target against the Raiders.
658: Are the Ravens Hungrier? Lamar's Durability Questioned (Again), O-Line Challenged & Previewing the Raiders
Our insiders, Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing, discuss Lamar Jackson's running, whether changes will be made on the offensive line, the two tight ends usage, Zach Orr's defensive debut, and what the keys to beating the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2.
- Rashee Rice was a thorn in Baltimore's side in Week 1 (seven catches, 103 yards). Davante Adams is a better receiver than Rice, maybe the best in the game. Keeping Adams from making big plays will be priority No. 1 for the Ravens' secondary.
- Zach Orr wasn't congratulating himself after his first game as defensive coordinator. "In Baltimore, OK isn't good enough," Orr said. As a player, Orr went from being undrafted to All-Pro. As a coordinator, he's one of the youngest, but plans on being one of the best.
- Kyle Hamilton, who thinks the game as well he plays it, took responsibility for the blown coverage that led to the Chiefs' final touchdown. That probably means Hamilton will play lights-out on Sunday. That's how great players respond to an off day.
- Baltimore is the NFL's heaviest favorite in Week 2 according to Vegas oddsmakers. That can lull some teams to sleep, but the Ravens never lost two straight games in 2023. This locker room led by Jackson and Roquan Smith never looks past any opponent.
- Gardner Minshew II was sacked four times in Week 1, and the Raiders' offensive line had issues. Minshew beat the Ravens when he was with the Colts last year. However, Baltimore will be tough to beat if the pass rush turns up the heat.
