BALTIMORE – Lamar Jackson is such a dynamic athlete that Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury knew some self-inflicted errors would be needed to slow the Ravens quarterback down.
They didn't happen often on Sunday.
Jackson was impressive both with his legs and his arm, completing 24-of-37 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns while adding 120 rushing yards at 7.5 yards per carry to lead Baltimore to a 23-17 win.
Jackson had a perfect passer rating in Baltimore's season opener in Miami, and while he wasn't that good against the Cardinals, his improved accuracy made life tough on the defense.
"Y'all watched Lamar make great throws all day from the pocket," Kingsbury said. "He's improved dramatically there. You've got to tip your hat to him. He's staying in there and throwing it. He can beat you that way, and beat you with his legs. He's going to be hard to handle for anybody."
Jackson helped seal the win by throwing a 41-yard strike to Marquise Brown on third-and-11 when the Cardinals needed a stop to get the ball back. Cornerback Tramaine Brock had nice coverage on the play but Jackson sat in the pocket and delivered a perfectly placed ball.
"It was an excellent play," linebacker Haason Reddick said. "They made one more play than we did, and that's how it is. This is the NFL. Everybody can make plays. It's just about who is going to make the play, so, yes, hat's off to him. That was a great play and he's a great quarterback."
The Cardinals had a couple of chances at interceptions on tipped passes. The biggest one came late in the fourth quarter when cornerback Byron Murphy deflected a ball into the air and safety Budda Baker dove for the ball but couldn't get there in time.
Jackson didn't make many mistakes, and linebacker Jordan Hicks said the Ravens had an answer to the different ways the Cardinals tried to make him uncomfortable.
"When we took one thing away, they did another," Hicks said. "When we took that thing away, they did the other. It's part of the chess match. Obviously there were some plays we wish we had back, but we've just got to keep grinding."
Jackson was ultra-effective on read-option keepers, often turning the corner and picking up big yardage. And then when he didn't run, the threat of it made life difficult on those in coverage.
"He's a special runner," Reddick said. "Anytime you've got a guy like that, you try to be conscious of everything he can do. That way you can be in the best position possible if he does break contain."
Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs was with the Ravens last year when Jackson was a rookie, when Jackson was clearly more dangerous running the ball. Now he sees a more well-rounded player that is a true dual threat.
"He's a phenomenal athlete, and it's good to see him grow," Suggs said.
Images from the Cardinals' Week 2 game in Baltimore
OLB Cassius Marsh gets a sack.
Cardinals outside linebacker Terrell Suggs warms up before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Baltimore.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws to a receiver in the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Baltimore.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws to a receiver in the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Baltimore.
Defensive tackle Corey Peters tried to corral Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
OLB Terrell Suggs breaks down the huddle
Cardinals wide receiver Damiere Byrd rushes the ball in the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Baltimore.
QB Kyler Murray warms up before the game.
QB Kyler Murray scrambles with the ball.
Ravens tight end Nick Boyle, left, is tackled by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy (33) and outside linebacker Haason Reddick as he rushes the ball in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Baltimore.
CB Byron Murphy before the game.
RB David Johnson carries the ball.
Cardinals outside linebacker Terrell Suggs warms up before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Baltimore.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson runs with the ball.
Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, left, celebrates his touchdown with teammate Willie Snead in the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Baltimore.
WR KeeSean Johnson hauls in a 31-yard catch.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Damiere Byrd (14) dives as he rushes the ball in the first half.
Head coach Kliff Kingsbury, right, speaks with quarterback Kyler Murray in the first half of Sunday.
Ravens running back Justice Hill rushes the ball against the Cardinals.
Cardinals wide receiver KeeSean Johnson, right, catches a pass in front of Ravens cornerback Brandon Carr.
Cardinals wide receiver Damiere Byrd, right, rushes against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Anthony Averett, from left, inside linebacker Patrick Onwuasor and defensive lineman Patrick Ricard.
Ravens running back Justice Hill, left, dives but is unable to score a touchdown as he is tackled by Cardinals middle linebacker Jordan Hicks.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver KeeSean Johnson, left, tries to break free from Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Carr after making a catch.
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Cyrus Jones, right, rushes against Arizona Cardinals long snapper Aaron Brewer.
Baltimore Ravens running back Mark Ingram, left, rushes past Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Jordan Hicks.
Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury watches the second half against the Baltimore Ravens.
Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk rushes the ball in the second half against the Ravens.
Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, left, tackles Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson as Jackson rushes the ball.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, embraces Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Terrell Suggs after Suggs tackled Jackson on a play in the second half.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, right, catches a pass in front of Baltimore Ravens strong safety Tony Jefferson in the second half.
Cardinals tight end Charles Clay (85) rushes against Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board.
Baltimore Ravens defenders tackle Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) in the second half.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) scores a touchdown in the second half to make the score 20-15.
Kyler Murray sits on the Cardinals sideline in the second half.
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald rushes the ball in the second half against the Ravens.
Cardinals wide receiver KeeSean Johnson scores a two-point conversion in the second half to make the score 20-17 in the fourth quarter.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, rushes past Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker in the second half.
Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury, left, walks off the field after speaking with Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, right, after the game. Baltimore won 23-17.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, right, shakes hands with Cardinals defensive back Chris Jones after the game. Baltimore won 23-17.
