The Ravens built their lead with Lamar Jackson. They spent the second half trying to protect it without him.
Baltimore held off the Tennessee Titans, 24-18, on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium after Jackson’s ankle injury interrupted an impressive afternoon. The Ravens improved to 3-1, with Malaki Starks recovering an onside kick to stop Tennessee’s final comeback attempt. Jackson completed 15 of 20 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns before Tyler Huntley took over in the second half. Zay Flowers caught eight passes for 118 yards and a touchdown, and Mark Andrews added a touchdown reception.
Tyler Loop’s 64-yard field goal as the first half expired gave Baltimore a 24-7 lead. The kick was the second-longest in franchise history, and its significance
grew as the Ravens failed to score after halftime. Trenton Simpson intercepted Cam Ward on Tennessee’s first possession, setting up Derrick Henry’s rushing touchdown. The Titans answered with a Tony Pollard touchdown, but Baltimore separated in the second quarter behind Jackson’s passing and a critical goal-line stop.
The second half brought a different challenge. Baltimore’s first four possessions ended in punts, and Loop later missed a 40-yard field goal. Huntley completed eight of nine passes for 63 yards, but the Ravens struggled to turn those completions into sustained scoring threats.
Tennessee cut the deficit to six with a late touchdown and two-point conversion. Starks then climbed to secure the onside kick, allowing Baltimore to finish in victory formation.
The Ravens committed 13 penalties for 131 yards. They also lost cornerback Marlon Humphrey to a calf injury, guard Andrew Vorhees to a foot injury, and tight end Durham Smythe to an Achilles injury. Henry finished with 73 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. Baltimore visits Atlanta next Sunday night, with Jackson’s status taking priority over the celebration.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens hold off Titans, 24-18, after Lamar Jackson exits with ankle injury
