For the first time in nearly a decade, the Baltimore Ravens, who many believed could be in line for a Super Bowl run, have started the 2024 NFL season 0-2. Baltimore lost its opening game of the season on Thursday Night Football against the Kansas City Chiefs on the final play of the game, after tight end Isaiah Likely was ruled out of bounds in the back of the endzone. Nearly a week and a half after the heartbreaking loss, the Ravens looked to shift the tide against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The first half was strictly a battle of the kickers, with Justin Tucker knocking home three for Baltimore and Daniel Carlson drilling a pair for the Raiders. Entering the second half, the score was 9-6 in favor of the Ravens.
That would change quickly after Lamar Jackson found second-year wideout Zay Flowers in the end zone to make it a two-possession game. The Raiders would answer at the end of the third quarter with a one-yard touchdown run from Alexander Mattison. Up 23-13, after Derrick Henry found the endzone, the Ravens were in a prime spot to take home the victory with 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
However, Las Vegas’ journeyman quarterback, Gardner Minshew, dug deep into his bag of tricks on second down and 20 yards to go, finding Davante Adams down the field for a gain of 26 yards. This set up yet another Carlson field goal to make it a one-possession game. After a quick three-and-out, Baltimore punted the ball back to Las Vegas, where Minshew found Adams in the endzone to tie the score.
The Ravens got the ball back in a four-minute drill but once again failed to pick up a first down, punting the ball back to the Raiders, who would then kick the game-winning field goal minutes later.
Baltimore’s collapse in the fourth quarter certainly isn’t unique when looking back to the last few years. This is Baltimore’s ninth loss after leading by double digits in the fourth quarter since John Harbaugh took over as head coach in 2008.
Ultimately, there are still 15 games left to be played, but statistically speaking, only six percent of teams who started 0-2 made the playoffs since 2020. If the Ravens were to miss the playoffs, it would be for the first time since 2021.
