NY Jets vs. Baltimore Ravens: 3 key matchups to watch for in Week 1

The last time the NY Jets won a game against the Baltimore Ravens was October 23rd, 2016. Joe Flacco was the opposing quarterback. This time, he will be in green and white, opposing the team he won a Super Bowl with.

The Ravens are 9-2 against the Jets all time. Over the years, New York has not matched up well against Baltimore, and there's been a significant disparity in talent level between the two franchises. But perhaps things are started to change for New York. 

Not surprising considering that Jets general manager Joe Douglas cut his teeth in the NFL, spending time under the learning tree of the legendary Ozzie Newsome. The Jets are trying to build a talented roster through the draft, the same way Baltimore has for decades.

"Built Not Bought" is a phrase current Jets head coach Robert Saleh recently used to describe the team's roster. Over the last three drafts, the Jets have five first-round selections.

Among the 11 players selected by New York during the 2020 and 2021 drafts, all have had an immediate impact on the team, starting a total of 122 games over the last two seasons. Many of those promising young players will be matched up against Baltimore's impressive recent draft classes on Sunday.

The Ravens have been a measuring stick team for the last two decades. Sunday's season opener will show how the unproven Jets stack up against one of the league's most elite rosters.

Here are three matchups to key in on and watch for this Sunday.