Most groups within the NFL start their critical playoff run in December, however the Ravens ought to begin Monday once they play the Saints in New Orleans.
Of the Ravens’ last 9 opponents, six have shedding data. Among them are the 2-6 Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons, each 4-4, are the very best of the bunch and so they’ll face simply two franchise-caliber quarterbacks within the Bengals’ Joe Burrow and the Denver Broncos’ Russell Wilson.
The Ravens (5-3) have their very own issues after three fourth-quarter meltdowns in losses to the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and New York Giants, however this schedule ought to be pleasant sufficient for them to win 10 or 11 video games and presumably the AFC North.
But earlier than the second half of 2022 begins, The Baltimore Sun provides out its position-by-position grades for the Ravens by way of the primary eight video games.
Quarterback
It’s been an up-and-down season to date for Lamar Jackson. At occasions, he’s carried out just like the NFL’s Most Valuable Player. At different occasions, he’s made poor choices and thrown inaccurate passes which have led to losses. Forget his stats — 148-for-235 (63%) for 1,635 yards, 15 touchdowns and 6 interceptions and 75 carries for 553 yards and two touchdowns — the group’s formulation for achievement is to permit Jackson to try someplace between 15 to 35 passes a recreation. When Jackson struggles to throw, the Ravens ought to simply give him the inexperienced gentle to run and take the ball out of his palms. Grade: B-
Running backs
The Ravens seem to have discovered their id once more with Gus Edwards (27 carries, 131 yards, two touchdowns) again within the beginning lineup after lacking the primary six video games recovering from a torn ACL he suffered final preseason. The Ravens missed his energy and that physique lean; he seldom will get stopped for losses. But with Edwards and J.Okay. Dobbins (35 carries, 121 yards, one landing), there are nonetheless questions on how lengthy they may final. Dobbins is out for at the very least one other month with recurring knee issues and Edwards suffered a hamstring harm in Thursday evening’s win towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, although coach John Harbaugh mentioned it’s thought-about delicate and he has an opportunity to play Monday evening towards the Saints. Kenyan Drake (49 carries, 251 yards, one landing) is a strong alternative and Justice Hill (27 carries, 179 yards) offers pace and a burst on the sting, however this offense wants a stud at working again. Right now, the Ravens have two in Edwards and Dobbins, neither of whom are utterly wholesome. Grade: B-
Offensive line
It’s no coincidence the offensive line has improved, particularly with run blocking, since Pro Bowl left deal with Ronnie Stanley returned towards the Bengals on Oct. 9. Stanley has performed at a excessive degree regardless of lacking 31 video games since his unique ankle harm in November 2020, and his presence provides this group a lift of confidence. Left guard Ben Powers is having the very best season of his four-year profession. Right deal with Morgan Moses excels at run blocking and proper guard Kevin Zeitler has carried out higher than any of his linemates. Rookie heart Tyler Linderbaum struggled with a giant nostril guard taking part in over high of him on Thursday, however he will get into the second degree and cuts off linebackers. The Ravens, although, nonetheless must improve in go safety, one thing that wasn’t a problem earlier within the season. Grade: B
Receivers
The Ravens have gotten solely common manufacturing out of this group however can get extra with extra creativity from offensive coordinator Greg Roman and accuracy from Jackson. Reigning All-Pro tight finish Mark Andrews (42 catches, 488 yards, 5 touchdowns) is Jackson’s go-to receiver and has had one other robust yr, however the Ravens want to include speedy Devin Duvernay (24 catches, 313 yards, three touchdowns) extra as each a receiver and working again. Second-year participant Rashod Bateman could be more practical if he might keep wholesome — he’s out for just a few weeks after aggravating a foot harm final week towards Tampa Bay — and tight finish Isaiah Likely and Demarcus Robinson have turn into choices for Jackson. Jackson, although, must be higher at studying the skin of the sector so Robinson can turn into extra of a downfield weapon, and Roman has to discover ways to use extra rubs and mixture and clearing routes as a substitute of simply permitting Jackson to throw 30 occasions in a half like he did towards Tampa Bay. Grade: C
Defensive line
This group has been dominant, which is a bit shocking as a result of the Ravens misplaced nostril guard Michael Pierce with a torn biceps in Week 3. But his alternative, rookie Travis Jones, has performed fairly nicely with 9 tackles, together with a sack. The large factor for Jones was moving into taking part in form. Justin Madubuike is having the very best season of his three-year profession with 22 tackles and three 1/2 sacks, and he has slowed quite a lot of working performs together with his fast penetration off the snap. End Calais Campbell has been strong and occasionally dominant with 21 tackles and three sacks. The query is how lengthy can Campbell, 36, maintain up taking part in so many snaps? Tackle Broderick Washington performed nicely through the preseason and has carried that over into the common season with 18 tackles, and veteran Brent Urban has been capable of give the entire starters some aid at varied factors. The Ravens have been strong towards the run and have improved versus the go in comparison with the earlier three seasons. Grade: B
Linebackers
Inside linebacker Patrick Queen leads the Ravens in tackles with 53 to go along with 3 1/2 sacks however he appears to be more practical when the Ravens enable him to run straight forward to crash a niche or on some kind of blitz. The identical may be mentioned about Malik Harrison, who has 27 tackles. Neither are shock-and-shed linebackers from a earlier period despite the fact that Harrison is 6-3 and 259 kilos. The defensive position does a great job of holding off opposing linemen, however the Ravens don’t have the right guys to wash up but, although that may change with the acquisition of star inside linebacker Roquan Smith. The exterior linebacker play has been strong and at occasions spectacular in go rushes. Justin Houston, taking part in on a restricted foundation, has six sacks and Odafe Oweh has one however 27 tackles. The exterior linebackers, although, battle to carry the sting, particularly Jason Pierre-Paul. This group will get a lift when Tyus Bowser and David Ojabo get again on the sector as soon as they absolutely get better from torn Achilles tendons. Bowser would possibly play towards the Saints. Grade: C+
Secondary
The Ravens must get a go rush as a result of the secondary is extraordinarily susceptible, particularly with security Marcus Williams out for an prolonged time with a wrist harm. Starting cornerback Marcus Peters contributes rather a lot however opposing groups are focusing on him as a result of he seems to have misplaced a step. Marlon Humphrey performs nicely on the within, however an absence of ball expertise and pace makes him a legal responsibility exterior. Between Humphrey and Peters, although, they’re crafty sufficient to cover some deficiencies and each play laborious. Safety Chuck Clark has performed nicely and is second on the group in tackles with 51. Geno Stone, who has stepped in admirably for Williams, has been strong and tackles nicely. Kyle Hamilton, the group’s high draft selection, has struggled at occasions however appears to play higher close to the road of scrimmage than on the again finish. Rookie Demarion “Pepe” Williams has performed nicely because the No. 3 cornerback and the Ravens have gotten extra out of him than backup cornerback Brandon Stephens. Grade: C
Special groups
The Ravens have maybe the very best kicking recreation within the NFL. Kicker Justin Tucker has transformed on 16 of 18 subject objective makes an attempt and each misses had been from past 50 yards. Tucker, although, is 5 of seven on subject targets from 50-plus, and has hit on one from 58 yards. Rookie Jordan Stout has averaged 48.9 yards on 25 punts to date, placing 9 contained in the 20-yard line. Duvernay doubles as each the punt and kickoff returner, averaging 31.9 yards per kickoff and 15.1 on punt returns. He additionally returned the opening kickoff towards Miami 103 yards for a landing. Grade: A
Coaching
This group is a piece in progress. Harbaugh has been affected person whereas attempting to work injured gamers again onto the sector, extra so than in earlier years. Defensively, the Ravens have struggled to maintain offenses out of the top zone within the fourth quarter. The 4 fourth-quarter touchdowns allowed to Miami was a humiliation. Until two weeks in the past, it was laborious to inform if the Ravens had been a working or passing group. It stays to be seen how a lot potential this group has, but it surely’s definitely greater than they’ve proven. Grade: B-
Week 9
Ravens at Saints
Monday, 8:15 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM
Line: Ravens by 3
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Source: www.bostonherald.com