Record Setting Day

Opening Day 2009

By Jesse Jones

On a day where the Ravens only beat the woeful Chiefs, who were without starting QB Matt Cassel, by 14 (38-24), there were still a lot of overlooked positives:

1. The offense put up 501 yards, the most in franchise history.  Joe Flacco put up a career highs in yards (307) and touchdowns (3).
2. Todd Heap was back to the pro-bowl form Ravens fans are used to (5 catches for 74 yards and a TD).
3. McGahee scored 2 touchdowns and displayed toughness that he was lacking last season.
4. Mark Clayton showed more signs of explosiveness.  He hasn’t been consistent throughout his career, but there have been times where has has looked exceptional, such as last year at the Bengals, and today when he burnt a conerback for a 31 yard touchdown reception and over 70 total yards.
5. The offensive line gave Flacco all the time in the world, and allowed the three-headed monster to rush for around 200 yards.
6. The defense gave up only 188 yards.  You can’t really blame them for all 24 points, because one of the TD’s was off of a punt block, and another TD was a result of a Flacco INT, where the D took over at their own 5.

But at the end of the day, the team needs to step it up in order to go back to where they ended last year, and hopefully beyond.

The Ravens travel to San Diego next weekend.