With a win Sunday, Baltimore will remain in sole possession of 1st place in the AFC North. The Browns play at the Bengals and the Steelers host the Bears. Regardless of how those games play out, if the Ravens win, they’ll stay atop the division at the halfway point of the season. That’s especially important, because after this Sunday Baltimore only has one home game in the next five weeks.
To do that, they’ll need to improve in a few key areas. Here’s how I think they can do that.
(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)
Get off blocks
If you watched the Bengals game, you know it was a tale of two halves. After trailing 13-10 at the half, Baltimore allowed 28 points in quarters three and four. Previously, the Ravens hadn’t allowed 28 points in a half since Week 14 of last year.
Much of that lead was gained on the ground. Cincinnati ran for 111 yards—the third team in four games to top the 100-yard rushing mark against the Ravens.
Baltimore certainly has the personnel to stop the run. We know that. The key will be to execute the gameplan and consistently play with urgency. Otherwise, Minnesota will seek to do just what Cincinnati did two weeks ago. Playing against stud rookie left tackle Christian Darrisaw will be a big challenge for Baltimore’s front as well.
No deep shots
Any team that faces an offense with Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen at wide receiver needs to be alert to the deep shot on every play. Those two players are as dynamic a receiving duo as there is in this league. Going against the Ravens secondary for them presents an unusually enticing prospect, as Baltimore’s pass defense is allowing 296.1 yards per game. That’s the worst mark in franchise history, by far.
For reference, if this current rate of pass defense continues for the duration of the season, the Ravens would allow 5,033 passing yards (and they still have the Bengals, Packers and Rams on the schedule).
Jefferson and Thielen both have 43 receptions on the year and are on pace to average near 1,200 receiving yards each. It’s a balanced, dynamic passing attack that can beat you in multiple ways, so your coverage schemes need to be on point.
Ravens 0-line vs. Vikings pass rush
It was announced on Monday that Vikings star defensive end Danielle Hunter will miss the duration of the 2021 season with a torn pectoral muscle. That’s a big loss for Minnesota, though one can argue they’re still a potent pass rush as they currently rank 2nd in the NFL in sacks with 24.
Conversely, the Ravens offensive line has allowed 21 sacks thus far, ranking tied for 23rd in that department. Baltimore should have Ben Cleveland back in the fold, which will help a lot.
The key to this matchup may be delayed rushes from linebackers, considering how savvy a defensive mind Minnesota Head Coach Mike Zimmer is. Lamar Jackson, as usual, will have his work cut out for him.
Vegas
Vegas Insider is favoring the Ravens by 5.5 points this Sunday, and the over/under is set at 49.5. Baltimore is 3-3 all-time against the Vikings, and 2-3-1 against the spread versus the Vikings. It should be a tough game, close throughout, that I do think the Ravens will win.
Prediction: Ravens 35, Vikings 30
Born in Baltimore, Mike had long been drawn to sports of all kinds. Growing up watching Cal Ripken play ever day gave him a great example for which to attack every endeavor he undertakes.
When the Ravens came to town, though, that’s when Mike found his passion. Since that time, he’s tried to gain every bit of knowledge he could. Now as a high school coach, Mike is able to take his film study and appreciation of the game to a new level.
To engage with Mike on social media, follow him on Twitter @MikeFastNFL.