The scoreboard might not have exactly reflected it, but there were individual moments Sunday which could make one think the Ravens are ready to rebound.
With solid showings from a number of offensive stars returning from injury, the Ravens held on for a 13-7 win over the Bills in the opener.
They also kept the pressure on Buffalo’s offense throughout, limiting the Bills to 160 yards.
But for Baltimore, it was the return of a set of offensive playmakers which could make them a contender in the AFC.
Joe Flacco, coming back from a torn ACL, threw for 258 yards and a touchdown. His day included a pretty 35-yard completion to Breshad Perriman (recovering from a knee injury which kept him off the field as a rookie) and a 27-yard completion to tight end Dennis Pitta (who has missed two seasons with hip problems). Running back Justin Forsett (coming back from a broken arm) coupled with Terrance West for a stable running complement.
But the exclamation mark was a 66-yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace, who is simply recovering from four years of being Mike Wallace.
While the stat sheet might not reflect it against a solid Bills defense, it was a good opening day for Flacco, who wasn’t mobile to begin with and isn’t now.
But combined with a defense which played to their reputation, the Ravens turned in a solid debut.