Lamar Jackson, Ravens break through with shootout win over Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
32 things we learned from Week 2 of the 2021 NFL season
Mahomes completed 24 of 31 passes for 343 yards and three touchdowns and one interception.
Jackson got off to a shaky start as two early interceptions by Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu (one returned for a touchdown) loomed large for much of the game.
The Chiefs fully displayed their abundance of riches at the skill positions as Mahomes’ first two touchdown passes went to less-heralded players Demarcus Robinson (a 33-yarder) and Byron Pringle (a 40-yarder). Those two scoring plays sandwiched a touchdown run by backup running back Darrel Williams.
Not until the third quarter did Mahomes connect with one of his leading pass-catchers, finding Travis Kelce for a short dump-off that the tight end took 46 yards, breaking four tackles along the way to find pay dirt. That play put Kansas City up 35-24 midway through the third quarter. But Baltimore soon cut into the Chiefs’ lead again.
Ravens cornerback Tavon Young intercepted Mahomes – the quarterback’s first career interception in the month of September– at the 44. The Ravens went 56 yards in five plays, finding the end zone on a 2-yard Jackson run. But Jackson’s pass for the two-point conversion failed.
After one more Ravens defensive stand, Baltimore took the lead on Jackson’s second touchdown run.
Although 3:14 seemed like too much time for Mahomes and Co. to operate, the Baltimore defense delivered, setting up Jackson to run out the clock and carry Baltimore to the team’s first win of the season.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Mike Jones on Twitter @ByMikeJones.