The Baltimore Ravens were able to defeat the Houston Texans in their season opener this weekend, 25-9. It was an ugly game throughout most of the afternoon as Baltimore was unable to get anything going consistently on offense.
Lamar Jackson completed 17-of-22 pass attempts for 169 yards and zero touchdowns, throwing one interception and getting sacked four times. Life was difficult for the Ravens offensively as offensive tackle Ronnie Staley and running back J.K. Dobbins both left the game with injuries.
Dobbins’ season is over after being diagnosed with a torn Achilles. He could be joined on the sidelines for a long time by safety Marcus Williams, who may have suffered a torn pectoral. Just as the case has been for the last few years, the Ravens’ depth is going to be tested early and often.
However, one difference this year compared to last year defensively is that Baltimore has linebacker Roquan Smith to lean on. Smith signed a record-setting extension with the Ravens this offseason and wasted little time in proving his worth.
According to ESPN’s Ravens reporter, Jamison Hensley, Smith racked up 15 tackles on the afternoon against the Texans. There are some outlets that have tallied 16 tackles for the star linebacker.
Regardless of what the official number is, Smith has set a Ravens franchise record. As shared by Hensley, that is the most tackles in a season opener by a single player in franchise history. The previous high was 14 by Ray Lewis, who recorded that total in three different season openers.
Smith also recorded a sack and two tackles for loss in the game as he continues to show why he is the premier inside linebacker in the NFL. He makes up arguably the best linebacker duo in the NFL along with Patrick Queen, who will be motivated to produce after the Ravens declined the fifth-year option on his rookie contract.
