The Ravens are nonetheless looking for their identification on each offense and protection, however a defining second of the 2022 season will come Sunday after they face the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium.
It’s a personality sport.
Every week in the past, the Ravens (3-3) dominated the New York Giants for practically 4 quarters, however they had been penalized 10 instances for 74 yards and dedicated two turnovers within the final six minutes in a 24-20 loss.
The defeat was embarrassing and humiliating, particularly because the Ravens had been crushed by much-maligned quarterback Daniel Jones.
“Our attitude … we’re pissed off about losing — everyone is,” Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson stated. “Our fans are pissed off and all of us are pissed off, but at the same time, we can’t dwell on it. We’ve got to move on here and get focused on the Browns. And the young guys, they’re dialed in, as well. Everybody is focusing up. We’re just ready to go out there and put on a show, because we’re so mad — real talk.”
Every season has moments like this, when a group both exhibits grit and perseverance after a troublesome loss or the gamers shrink and curl into the fetal place. The Ravens want to point out some resolve.
They are taking part in at dwelling, the place two weeks in the past they ended a five-game shedding streak at M&T Bank Stadium. They are taking part in an AFC North opponent, a group inbuilt their very own likeness with the league’s No. 1 speeding assault. The Browns (2-4) additionally path the Ravens by a sport within the division race.
“I think the only frustrations I sense is that we know how good we can be, and we know that a lot of these issues are self-inflicted,” Pro Bowl left deal with Ronnie Stanley stated. “When you are your own biggest enemy, I think that’s really something that can frustrate anyone. We know how much talent we have on this team, and we’re going to pull it together. That’s kind of the frustration everyone has.”
This is an efficient time for such a check. After going through the Browns, the Ravens have a brief week of preparation with mainly someday of observe earlier than travelling to Tampa Bay on Thursday night time.
But after assembly the Buccaneers (3-3), the Ravens play on the New Orleans Saints (2-5) on “Monday Night Football,” have a bye week after which face a run of shedding groups together with the Carolina Panthers (1-5), Jacksonville Jaguars (2-4), Denver Broncos (2-4) and Pittsburgh Steelers (2-4). A win towards Cleveland would give the Ravens some confidence earlier than taking over future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady, after which possibly they will halt their present sample of win-loss, win-loss, win-loss … which places them close to .500 on the finish of the season.
That might or will not be ok to get into the postseason, however the Ravens don’t need to sweat it. It all begins with a sport towards the Browns at a time when the Ravens are searching for their very own identification.
In the earlier three seasons below offensive coordinator Greg Roman, the Ravens had been often called a operating group, however they haven’t been as dominant on the bottom this yr. All groups try for steadiness, however the good ones have a go-to power in a time of want.
Are the Ravens a operating group (157 carries) or a passing one (181 makes an attempt)? They signed speedy veteran receiver DeSean Jackson this week, which is amusing as a result of the Ravens have a historical past of bringing in receivers previous their prime. If Lamar Jackson had been extra correct within the final three video games, Devin Duvernay would have three extra landing catches and fellow wideout Tylan Wallace and tight finish Mark Andrews would every have one, and there could be no want for the previous Philadelphia Eagles star.
On protection, the Ravens are having an identical identification disaster. Under former defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale, the Ravens had been stress oriented, which left their cornerbacks uncovered in one-on-one matchups. In crunch time, Martindale would blitz from wherever on the sphere.
It’s totally different with first-year defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. He is mixing and matching however doesn’t appear to have a significant power, particularly with so many accidents within the secondary. It’s laborious to inform if the Ravens are taking part in extra zone or extra man-to-man protection. They appear confused at instances, which is why they’ve allowed three fourth-quarter comebacks this season, together with 4 touchdowns in a Week 2 meltdown towards the Miami Dolphins.
The Ravens are ready to maneuver on and face Cleveland operating again Nick Chubb, who leads the league in speeding with 649 yards and has seven touchdowns on 110 carries.
“The thing about Nick Chubb is his downhill [style] is just a combination of explosiveness and power,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh stated. “You’re not going to throw an arm in there, you’re not going to throw a shoulder in there, an elbow or something like that, and knock him down. You have to bring everything you’ve got. You have to wrap him up, and then everyone else has to come too, because he’s going to be running and bringing it 100 miles an hour with a lot of power.”
The Browns even have a robust offensive line and are extraordinarily athletic on the defensive entrance with ends Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney. But Cleveland has misplaced three straight since beginning 2-1, and quarterback Jacoby Brissett has been inconsistent. That’s often a giant deal, besides the Ravens misplaced to Jones final week.
But that’s all irrelevant to the Ravens now. They need to win. They must win.
Their character is at stake.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com