Ravens at Jaguars: 3 things we learned
The Baltimore Ravens stayed unbeaten with a 19-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Here are three takeaways from that contest.
It was ugly at times, especially when it came to the final 15 minutes, but John Harbaugh’s club ran its record to 3-0 on Sunday with a narrow victory over the winless Jacksonville Jaguars.
Kicker Justin Tucker kicked four field goals, including a 54-yarder with 1:02 remaining, to keep the Baltimore Ravens perfect.
So what did we learn about both clubs on Sunday? Do we really want to know?
1. Ravens showing their old resiliency
A year ago, the Baltimore Ravens saw established stars like (in order of disappearance) Terrell Suggs, Steve Smith Sr., Joe Flacco and Justin Forsett have their seasons cut short by injury. They also lost their share of close games and heartbreakers.
But so far in 2016, John Harbaugh’s club is hanging on for victories – although some critics may point to the fact that the team’s first three opponents (Bills, Browns and Jaguars) are a combined 1-8. But a victory is a victory and the Ravens have held Buffalo to seven points, rallied from 20 down to beat Cleveland and got a late field goal to win at Jacksonville.
2. Opportunities have knocked, Baltimore has answered
Last season, the Ravens were ranked eighth in the league in total defense and 10th against the pass. So how do you explain a team that allowed 30 touchdown passes while racking up a league-low six interceptions?
Three weeks into 2016, Baltimore has allowed four scores through the air and picked off five passes.
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The Ravens came away with only 14 takeaways in 16 games last season but they have already forced five turnovers during their 3-0 start. And Harbaugh and company are already more than halfway to last season’s disappointing total of five victories.
3. Jaguars a fourth-quarter tease
Back in Week 1, we saw the Jaguars fall by four points to the visiting Green Bay Packers. They simply couldn’t make all the plays they needed to in the final minutes and after succeeding on several fourth-down opportunities down the stretch simply couldn’t close the deal.
On Sunday against Baltimore, the Jacksonville defense picked off Joe Flacco twice in the fourth quarter and gave Gus Bradley’s team the chance to win. But Blake Bortles also threw a pair of late interceptions and the Jaguars also had a field goal blocked that would have given the team a four-point lead. It’s only three games but the team is finding ways to lose games.