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After a long offseason of speculation and excitement, the Baltimore Ravens kicked off their season in the heat of Miami. With so much uncertainty regarding second-year quarterback Lamar Jackson’s progression as a passer, he quickly silenced the doubters with a historic performance to start his sophomore campaign.
Baltimore was able to display their new offense right away when running back Mark Ingram busted off a 49-yard run on the first play. The opening drive was capped off by a one-yard Ingram touchdown run.
RAVENS STRIKE FIRST.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 8, 2019
FIRST RAVENS TOUCHDOWN FOR @markingram21❗️ pic.twitter.com/tlm4HrFCLZ
The Ravens big-name free agent acquisitions paid off early as safety Earl Thomas intercepted Ryan Fitzpatrick on the Dolphins first drive.
INTERCEPTION @Earl_Thomas ‼️ pic.twitter.com/JOlsdWRxcc
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 8, 2019
It only took one play for Baltimore to find the end zone again. Jackson hit rookie first-round receiver Marquise ‘‘Hollywood’’ Brown on a quick pass that Hollywood took the length of the field for a 47-yard touchdown on his first career catch.
HOLLYWOOD ‼️
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 8, 2019
WELCOME TO THE NFL @Primetime_jet. pic.twitter.com/6e5cN34eSk
The Ravens defense forced a punt on Miami’s drive, giving the ball back to Jackson, who connected with Brown again, this time on a perfect deep pass for a 83-yard touchdown. Baltimore led 21-0 in the first quarter.
83-YARD TOUCHDOWN.@lj_era8 ➡️ @Primetime_jet. pic.twitter.com/9ax0x9FuUd
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 8, 2019
Following another punt by Miami, Jackson scored yet another touchdown through the air, this time to Willie Snead IV for 33 yards.
QB @Lj_era8 is DEALING.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 8, 2019
He hits WR @Willie_Snead4G for his third passing TD of the day to put us up 28-0. pic.twitter.com/iNKiBEs0dA
The Dolphins finally got on the board with a 54-yard field goal on the next drive and then followed by forcing the first three-and-out for the Ravens of the day. Jakeem Grant muffed the punt, however, and Justin Bethel recovered it, giving Baltimore the ball in the red zone. It took three plays for Jackson to connect to the other rookie receiver, Miles Boykin, for a touchdown.
TOUCHDOWN PASS NO. 4 FOR @lj_era8 ‼️@MBoykin814 SCORES A TD ON HIS FIRST NFL CATCH. pic.twitter.com/XihBfTj6Mo
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 8, 2019
Following another Miami punt, Ingram found the endzone once again, his second score of the day. Miami put together an 8 play, 75-yard touchdown drive just before halftime courtesy of multiple catches from Preston Williams. However, it was the last time the Dolphins would sniff the endzone the rest of the day.
Baltimore continued to keep their foot on the gas in the third quarter. Jackson threw his fifth touchdown pass of the game, this time to Pat Ricard, to extend the lead to 49-10 before ceding way for Robert Griffin III to enter the game.
ANOTHER ONE. @LJ_era8 throws his 5TH touchdown of the day. @Pric508 gets in on the action this time. pic.twitter.com/HBTSyp2K8V
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 8, 2019
Following a field goal by Justin Tucker, cornerback Marlon Humphrey picked off Josh Rosen on just his second throw of the game - the Ravens’ second interception of the game.
ANOTHER ONE. @LJ_era8 throws his 5TH touchdown of the day. @Pric508 gets in on the action this time. pic.twitter.com/HBTSyp2K8V
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 8, 2019
A few minutes later, RGIII orchestrated a scoring drive of his own, chewing up 5:30 and gaining 42 yards. Griffin connected with Mark Andrews for a 3-yard score in the redzone, capping off a historic performance from the team’s offense. Griffin completed all six of his attempts for 55 yards in limited action.
From there, the Ravens chewed out the clock and escaped Miami following a monumental performance. On all three levels - offense, defense, special teams - the Ravens impressed and were the far better team.
Now, they’ll return home to face Terrell Suggs, Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals, in what should be at least a bit of a tougher challenge than what they faced in Miami.