Week 1 of the 2019 NFL season had its share of close games, but one game that was decided early on was Baltimore’s 59-10 spanking of the Dolphins. Lamar Jackson set records and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown showed out in his debut, but my personal highlight of the contest was seeing Mark Ingram absolutely FEAST in the Ravens lead role. Ingram actually didn’t lead the team in carries — his 14 were three behind Gus Edwards’ 17 — but Ingram got the start and the bulk of the first half carries before the game was decided. He put up 76 yards and 2 TDs in the first half alone, finishing the game with 107 yards and 2 scores on an insane 7.6 yards per carry. Edwards’ presence will linger throughout the season and the Ravens offense won’t always be firing like it was this week, but Ingram proved right away that the league’s No. 3 offense in terms of rushing percentage last year belongs to him.
Ingram took the opening snap from scrimmage 49 yards downfield and didn’t look back from there. He wasn’t needed much in the second half as the Ravens were running away with the game by then, but he still had a huge day that should further solidify his spot atop the Ravens’ depth chart. Gus Edwards and Justice Hill may both limit Ingram’s ceiling over the course of the season, but finally free from Alvin Kamara and in an offense that emphasizes the run over everything, Ingram appears ready to assume the top spot and keep it for good.
If you were able to get Ingram as your RB3/Flex option, you’re in great shape. Due to OC Greg Roman’s run-heavy scheme, The Wolf had him ranked as his RB23 in his preseason rankings and said he could be one of 2019’s “cheapest projected workhorses” at his late 3rd/early 4th round ADP. After 1 game, it’s looking like he may have been right.
