The Ravens have gained 4 straight video games and 5 of their previous six, however the second half of the season can be harder.
Their streak contains massive wins towards prime NFC groups — Detroit (38-6) and Seattle (37-3) — however the Ravens (7-2) now should face division foes Cleveland and Cincinnati in back-to-back weeks, tackle the Chargers and Rams, then shut out the common season at Jacksonville and San Francisco earlier than internet hosting Miami and Pittsburgh.
These can be totally different Browns (5-3) and Bengals (5-3) groups than those the Ravens beat earlier this season. Cleveland performed with out beginning quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has missed a lot of the season with a shoulder damage however returned final week, and Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow lacked mobility due to an injured calf. He’s been again to his ordinary self amid a four-game profitable streak.
But that’s wanting into the long run. Before the second half of 2023 begins, The Baltimore Sun provides out its position-by-position grades for the Ravens by way of the primary 9 video games.
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson has accomplished 181 of 253 passes for 1,954 yards and 9 touchdowns. He has a passer score of 100.8 and a league-best completion charge of 71.5%. He appears to have picked up the brand new offense, and his decision-making and passes contained in the pink zone have improved considerably this season in contrast with the previous 5. He nonetheless throws behind receivers too usually, however the win over Seattle was the primary time he didn’t need to placed on a Superman cape for the Ravens to win. He was a clock supervisor, and that confirmed the progress of this offense. Grade: A-
Running backs
The Ravens have the No. 1 speeding assault within the NFL, averaging 160.3 yards per sport, and have been steadily pounding Gus Edwards (478 yards on 110 carries) inside to pair with the burst of Justice Hill (251 yards on 58 carries). Of course, Jackson (a quarter mile on 84 carries) makes the speeding sport go, however will probably be fascinating to see how the Ravens can work rookie Keaton Mitchell into the rotation after he rushed for 138 yards on 9 carries towards the Seahawks on Sunday. It can be laborious to do, nevertheless it’s a superb drawback to have. Mitchell provides the offense one other speedy choice moreover Jackson. Grade: B
Receivers
Jackson has accomplished a good job step by step getting all his receivers some touches. The Ravens nonetheless want extra consistency from Odell Beckham Jr. (19 catches for 218 yards) and Rashod Bateman (17 catches for 180 yards) however have gotten sturdy efforts all season from rookie Zay Flowers (45 catches for 472 yards) and veteran tight finish Mark Andrews (41 catches for 477 yards). Nelson Agholor (28 catches for 224 yards) hasn’t been featured a lot however nonetheless performs a complementary function. Keep a watch on No. 2 tight finish Isaiah Likely, who had his finest sport of the season Sunday. He might turn out to be an integral a part of this offense late within the season, particularly when the climate adjustments and the Ravens need to go together with extra of a two-tight-end look. Grade: C+
Offensive line
The foremost cause the Ravens have the league’s prime speeding offense is that they’ll transfer defensive strains off the ball. That wasn’t the case in latest weeks, particularly contained in the pink zone, however that’s now not an issue. The center of this group has been dominant with middle Tyler Linderbaum, proper guard Kevin Zeitler and left guard John Simpson. Linderbaum has carried out at a Pro Bowl degree along with his quickness and skill to make blocks into the second degree. Right deal with Morgan Moses excels at run blocking however has issues with pace rushers. Left deal with Ronnie Stanley has struggled with each pace and energy rushers, and it seems his surgically repaired ankle now not permits him to plant and push off. Overall, the run blocking has been good, however the move safety wants to enhance. Grade: B
Defensive line
The Ravens are ranked No. 8 in speeding protection, permitting 91.9 yards per sport, and it’s laborious for opponents to run inside towards finish Justin Madubuike and nostril deal with Michael Pierce. Because of his pace and quickness off the ball, Madubuike (30 tackles) has been in a position to disrupt the working sport, and he leads the staff in sacks with 7 1/2. Pierce (20 tackles) has been a power inside occupying two blockers, however he has additionally been in a position to work off these blocks and make tackles. Pierce has additionally knocked down two passes. End Broderick Washington (11 tackles, three quarterback hits) doesn’t get a number of recognition however performed nicely on the finish of final season and has continued to get higher each sport. The Ravens have proven depth having the ability to put finish Brent Urban and deal with Travis Jones into the sport with none important drop-off. Grade: A
Linebackers
Middle linebacker Roquan Smith and weak aspect linebacker Patrick Queen are top-of-the-line inside tandems within the NFL. Queen has proven a capability to make tackles within the open discipline this season and continues to be productive as a move rusher (75 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks). Smith has been sensational as a pacesetter on and off the sphere and leads the staff in tackles with 87. The Ravens thought younger outdoors linebackers Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo had been going to be their prime move rushers in 2023, nevertheless it’s been Kyle Van Noy (10 tackles, 5 sacks, six quarterback pressures) and Jadeveon Clowney (19 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks, 11 quarterback hits) main the group. Both have performed essential roles within the improvement of a few of the youthful gamers. The Ravens have an awesome combine right here. Grade: A
Secondary
Despite a number of accidents, the secondary has been sturdy a lot of the season because the Ravens rank No. 2 in move protection, permitting 170.7 yards per sport. Geno Stone has been the largest shock at security and has been in a position to cowl a number of floor on the again finish. He leads the league in interceptions with six regardless of beginning the season on the bench behind Marcus Williams. Second-year security Kyle Hamilton has performed at a Pro Bowl degree and is fourth on the staff in tackles with 45. His versatility has allowed him to line up towards receivers outdoors and within the slot, and he’s been a powerful move rusher on the surface. Brandon Stephens has easily made the transition from security to cornerback and has been stable in run help with 46 tackles, however he must be extra cautious taking part in so bodily and holding receivers. Marlon Humphrey missed a number of video games early and has been slowed by damage, however he’ll get higher with extra time on the sphere. This unit has been the largest shock of the season. Grade: A-
Special groups
Justin Tucker has transformed 16 of 19 discipline aim makes an attempt with the three misses coming from past 50 yards. He stays the perfect kicker within the NFL. Jordan Stout has been glorious, averaging 48.5 yards on 37 punts, together with a protracted of 67. Devin Duvernay has been efficient as a kickoff returner, averaging 20.5 yards, however continues to be indecisive on punt returns. However, he appears to have gotten over the issue in latest video games. The Ravens are going to want some massive performs from him within the ultimate month of the season, and they should get stronger on the inside to attempt to block kicks. Grade: B-
Coaching
Coach John Harbaugh appears to have gotten over being aggressive on a regular basis and is extra comfy letting the sport dictate his selections. Mike Macdonald’s protection has been nothing wanting spectacular and the Ravens do a superb job of disguising their fronts. As anticipated, offensive coordinator Todd Monken struggled to arrange the offense early within the season, and whereas it has improved since, the unit nonetheless must be extra constant. That consistency, together with Jackson’s play, can be wanted within the postseason. Harbaugh made a superb resolution to herald Chuck Smith as a pass-rushing specialist and assistant, however that transfer ought to have been made years in the past. The move rush has been an issue for a very long time. Grade: B+
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Source: www.bostonherald.com