A majority of the first half had elapsed by the time the Ravens found the end zone.
At intermission, Baltimore had just 92 yards of offense. For large stretches of Sunday’s regular-season opener, the Jets’ defense looked formidable.
“We were getting off the field, we were doing a good job stopping the run,” linebacker C.J. Mosley said.
It didn’t last.
The defense, getting no help from Gang Green’s anemic offense, faded in the second half of a dismal 24-9 setback at MetLife Stadium. It allowed multiple big plays to star quarterback Lamar Jackson and the game quickly got out of hand.
The final numbers were strong. The Jets allowed only 274 yards of offense and 63 rushing yards against historically one of the league’s better running teams. The front seven was active and performed well. But Jackson got the best of them when it mattered, taking advantage of mistakes, be it a penalty or busted coverage, to throw three touchdown passes.
C.J. Mosley tackles Justice Hill in the second quarter. Charles Wenzelberg“For the most part, our defense did a really good job,” Mosley said.
Afterwards, members of the defense took a glass half-full approach, focusing on what it did well rather than the miscues that were made. It should be noted that the Ravens weren’t at full strength, without starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley and No. 1 running back J.K. Dobbins due to injury.
Baltimore went more to the air after halftime, with Jackson connecting on scoring strikes of 17 and 55 yards to Devin Duvernay and Rashod Bateman, respectively. On the pass to Bateman, there was a miscommunication and he ran free down the middle of the field for the easy touchdown.
“We just have to do better on the back end,” safety Lamarcus Joyner said. “That’s on everyone. We have to do just better, we have to get to our landmarks and we have to be in position.”
Of the Jets’ three units, there was no question which was the best one on Sunday. The offense only managed a garbage-time touchdown. New kicker Greg Zuerlein missed a 45-yard field goal and an extra point. The defense at least held its own for a half, even if it had some breakdowns in the second half.
“We have a great defense, I’m very excited for this year with these guys,” defensive lineman Solomon Thomas said. “We were on the field a lot, but it really doesn’t matter. We have to still come out and play our game. We had a couple of busts in coverage, and that happens. You can’t play perfect every game. When you play a veteran team like that, they’re going to capitalize on your mistakes.”
