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In the highly anticipated face-off between Baltimore’s high-flying offense and Denver’s formidable defense, it was a one-sided affair. The Ravens, led by their charismatic quarterback Lamar Jackson, trounced the Broncos 41-10 on Sunday. Jackson, despite missing practice in the middle of the week, was in surreal form, throwing for 280 yards and netting three touchdowns, earning him a flawless passer rating.
Lamar Jackson in Prime Form Despite Earlier Concerns
Jackson’s absence from Wednesday and Thursday’s practice due to back and knee issues had raised some eyebrows, but he silenced the critics with his stellar performance on game day. “I was clear about my role,” Jackson stated, showcasing his dedication and study of the Broncos. Derrick Henry, the Ravens’ running back, also chipped in with 106 yards and two touchdowns, surpassing several rushing milestones.
Despite an early struggle with their defense, timely fourth-down stops allowed the Ravens to take control of the game and bounce back from their unexpected loss to Cleveland last weekend.
Ravens’ Offensive Onslaught Overwhelms Broncos
Zay Flowers stood out with five catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Broncos’ rookie quarterback, Bo Nix, managed to catch a touchdown pass on a trick play, but it was clear from the onset that the Broncos were outmatched.
The Ravens’ offensive prowess was on full display when they scored seven consecutive times. Henry celebrated the 100th and 101st rushing touchdowns of his career, and for the sixth time, he crossed the 1,000 yards rushing mark for the season. His coach, John Harbaugh, lauded him, stating that Henry “is adding a dimension that we have not had before.”
Jackson’s remarkable 16 of 19 passes completed and an impeccable 158.3 passer rating further underscored his stature as one of NFL’s top quarterbacks.
Ravens Maintain Dominance into Second Half
Following a Denver field goal, the Ravens led 17-10 with just 54 seconds remaining in the first half. They extended this lead on either side of halftime, with a 53-yard TD from Flowers and a 6-yard run by Henry.
The Broncos’ defense, which had only allowed two teams to score more than 20 points this season, could not contain Baltimore’s offensive onslaught. Despite an early interception thrown by Nix, the Broncos were unable to capitalize, and their failure to convert on fourth down plays proved costly.
Looking Forward
Despite the loss, Nix managed to throw for 223 yards, elevating his season total to 1,753, surpassing Mickey Slaughter’s record for the most yards passing by a Broncos rookie quarterback.
Next up, the Broncos face another tough test at Kansas City, while the Ravens host Cincinnati. With their recent dominant performance, the Ravens look poised to continue their winning momentum.
