EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Lamar Jackson is betting on himself to cap another big season with a huge payday. The Baltimore Ravens’ star quarterback certainly got off to a terrific start.
Jackson threw three touchdown passes, including two to Devin Duvernay, and the Ravens rolled past the New York Jets 24-9 on a rainy Sunday in the regular-season opener.
“He played a patient, veteran quarterback game,” coach John Harbaugh said. “He was in control of everything.”
Jackson went 17 of 30 for 213 yards, including a TD to Rashod Bateman, and had one interception. The performance came hours after ESPN reported that Jackson turned down a five-year extension offer worth more than $250 million — with $133 million guaranteed at signing.
Meanwhile, the Jets stumbled.
Flacco, starting against the team with whom he won a Super Bowl, was ineffective and wasn’t helped by a few drops and lousy pass protection. He went 37 of 59 for 307 yards and a touchdown and interception — and the fans at MetLife Stadium chanted backup Mike White’s name a few times in the second half.
Flacco started in place of Zach Wilson, who’s out until at least Week 4 while recovering from a bone bruise and a torn meniscus.
“We just never really got into a rhythm,” Flacco said, “and got any energy going behind us.”
“You’re not going to beat a veteran team when you’re not capitalizing on the momentum that you gain,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said. “From dropped passes to being loose with the football and missed kicks, this is a game, in my opinion, that we absolutely lost.”
The Jets dropped their 13th straight game in the month of September, dating to the 2018 season.
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) celebrates with teammates Devin Duvernay (13) and quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
