Ravens vs. Jets final recap: Kings of the North

The Baltimore Ravens faced the New York Jets on a short week with the chance to clinch the AFC North for the second year in a row.

It didn’t take long to see why the Ravens were favored by 16.5 points in this game, as they scored on their first three possessions. RB Mark Ingram was the first to find the end zone on a six-yard touchdown run to give Baltimore the 7-0 lead. QB Lamar Jackson broke the single-season rushing record for a quarterback set by Michael Vick on the opening drive.

Jackson connected with rookie wide receiver Myles Boykin for the second touchdown on a five-yard pass. Justin Tucker missed the extra point, however, keeping the score at 13-0.

The Jets got on the board next with an impressive throw from QB Sam Darnold to WR Jamison Crowder in the corner of the end zone. Baltimore’s offense wasted no time in distancing the lead again with another touchdown on their next drive, though.

Jackson hit TE Mark Andrews for a touchdown that was nullified due to an illegal formation penalty against the Ravens. Jackson found Andrews again for the second time a few plays later for the official touchdown. Ingram successfully converted the two-point attempt to make the score 21-7. Andrews set the franchise touchdown reception record by a tight end with the score.

Baltimore’s defense started to come alive when they kept New York out of the end zone on four attempts from inside the 20-yard line. SS Chuck Clark would snag an interception on the next drive, the defense’s first turnover of the night.

The Ravens opened the second with a 21-7 lead still in tact, but the offense took some time to get going again. It wasn’t until OLB Tyus Bowser forced a fumble on a sack that was recovered by DE Jihad Ward at New York’s 24-yard line that the offense was able to score again. On 2nd-&-10, Jackson dropped a dime to rookie WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown for a 24-yard touchdown.

The offense was rolling again after that. On the next drive, Jackson hit another deep touchdown, this time to WR Seth Roberts for the 33-yard score.

Special teams had been an issue for the Ravens all night and that was highlighted by a blocked punt that the Jets returned for a touchdown on Baltimore’s next drive. The score was 35-13 after Sam Ficken missed the extra point.

Jackson stayed in the game despite being up 22 points in the fourth quarter to lead the offense on another touchdown drive. Jackson’s fifth and final touchdown pass was to Ingram who ran it in for the 10-yard score.

QB Robert Griffin III entered the game in relief for Jackson on the following, New York was able to score once more on another pass to Crowder, ending the game with a score of 42-21. Jackson finished the night with five touchdowns passes, 212 passing yards on 23 attempts, and 86 rushing yards on eight carries. Ingram carried the ball 13 times for 76 yards and touchdown while catching one pass for a 10-yard touchdown.

With their victory over the Jets, the Ravens officially clinched the AFC North for the second year in a row with Jackson at the helm. Baltimore will face the Cleveland Browns in Week 15 with the ability to clinch home-field advantage in the playoffs with a win.