Here’s what the Baltimore Sun sports activities workers needed to say instantly after the Ravens’ 27-13 win over the New Orleans Saints in Monday night time’s Week 9 sport at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans:
Jonas Shaffer, reporter: For most of this season, the Ravens hadn’t accomplished something exceptionally effectively on protection besides power turnovers. On Monday, with their depleted offense and quarterback Lamar Jackson operating hot-and-cold, they wanted all the assistance they may get from coordinator Mike Macdonald’s unit. The group delivered, led by the ageless Justin Houston. A 3-game profitable streak will really feel good again in Baltimore. A 3-game profitable streak heading right into a bye? Even higher.
Childs Walker, reporter: The Ravens have discovered their profitable formulation, with a protection that’s producing constant stress — Justin Houston, good lord — and an offense that’s grinding opponents down within the second half.
They may have put the sport away even earlier if not for a couple of sloppy possessions within the Saints’ half of the sphere, however they’ve put themselves in wonderful place to earn a excessive playoff seed come January. Quarterback Lamar Jackson misfired on a couple of potential massive strikes however performed a mature sport, shopping for time along with his ft and taking straightforward throws towards a Saints protection that blitzed extra continuously than anticipated. Roquan Smith wasted no time exhibiting he’s the very best hunt-and-stick center linebacker the Ravens have had since Ray Lewis.
Remember, they did this with out their second most necessary offensive participant, Mark Andrews, and their strongest runner, Gus Edwards, on the highway towards an opponent that gave the impression to be discovering its kind. Now, they’ve 13 days to relaxation and heal. This crew may win loads of video games over the past eight weeks towards a largely underwhelming slate of opponents.
Hayes Gardner, reporter: Without key items, the Ravens appeared unflappable on the highway.
Roquan Smith was a welcomed addition for the protection, which didn’t permit a landing till late, and the offense unfold the ball round in a 27-13 win — a cushty one, at that, which has been a rarity for Baltimore this season. Lamar Jackson wasn’t good, and he missed on a few passes, however his legs saved the Ravens’ offense shifting all sport.
Entering the bye week, it’s straightforward to want the Ravens had seven or eight and even 9 wins, however a 6-3 document places them in lots good place as they start the second half.
C.J. Doon, editor: After all of the ups and downs this season, the Ravens ought to really feel fairly good heading into their bye week. With Baltimore down its prime receiver, star tight finish and prime two operating backs, Monday night time felt like a basic lure sport, however a solid-if-unspectacular Lamar Jackson and a stellar efficiency from the protection was greater than sufficient to choose up a 3rd straight win. The commerce for linebacker Roquan Smith paid quick dividends, Justin Houston appeared like a reputable game-wrecker and vast receiver DeSean Jackson even flashed at instances in his first sport as a Raven. Given the mushy slate of opponents forward, the Ravens have an actual shot to choose up the highest seed within the AFC, particularly if Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s arm damage is critical. This was a workmanlike win the Ravens needed to have.
Tim Schwartz, editor: The Ravens appeared like a Super Bowl contender Monday night time. Without Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews, quarterback Lamar Jackson accomplished passes to 10 receivers and the protection put a beating on Andy Dalton and the Saints. Even in restricted motion, linebacker Roquan Smith appeared to be well worth the excessive worth they paid to accumulate him, and Justin Houston is precisely who Ravens followers although Odafe Oweh can be this 12 months. For him to be this dominant at age 33 is unimaginable. The bye week comes at a very good time for Baltimore, which is poised to return out of the opposite aspect wholesome and able to make a critical run for the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com