Ravens Beat Chicago; Trip To Miami Thursday Night

The Baltimore Ravens returned from their bye week, and earned a 30-16 win over the Chicago Bears with Tyler Huntley at QB.

With the win, the Ravens improved to 2-5 and now will head to Miami to face the Dolphins Thursday night.

Quick Hits: 

1) Credit to Huntley and the Ravens offense.  Huntley doesn’t have much arm-strength, but he was decisive and made quick reads. The ball got out of his hands, and he did push down the field when there was opportunity. He also made a difference in the second half with his legs. Nobody is Lamar, but the offense certainly looked more comfortable with him than Cooper Rush.

2) Keaton Mitchell had 43 yards on 4 carries, including a long of 25. He also had two Kick Returns for 66 yards.  His speed and elusiveness is going to force the Ravens to find him more touches.

3) Derrick Henry didn’t have a huge day (21 carries, 71 yards, 2 TD’s), but the running attack as a whole looked better with Patrick Ricard back and adding some additional blocking ability out of the FB position.

4) Huntley and Zay Flowers were on the same page, connecting on 7 of 9 attempts.

5) The Ravens clearly had to win today. They wouldn’t have been mathematically eliminated at 1-6, but that would have seemed like an insurmountable hole. If they go take care of business in Miami, they can wake up Friday morning at 3-5.  There is a favorable schedule coming. 11-6 or 10-7 still seems plausible, and 10 or 11 wins should put the AFC North in play.

6) Chicago entered today having won their last four. De’Andre Swift had gone over 100 yards rushing each of the last two weeks. Swift had a solid 4.1 yard per carry attempt today, but only 45 total yards as he was limited to 11 attempts. The Bears dominated the 1st Quarter with 13 and 11 play drives, but the Ravens were able to hold Chicago to Field Goals vs. Touchdowns. It wasn’t some dominating defensive performance from the Ravens today; but the Bears had averaged 27 points per game in that four game winning streak.  The Ravens had 6 tackles for loss (two from Teddye Buchanan). Roquan Smith was moving well.  Thought Kyle Van Noy was making more impact than the boxscore shows. Mike Green had his first career sack. Nate Wiggins had the 4th Quarter pick, which helped the Ravens extend their lead to 10.  It was a good showing from this group.  Seemed like the defensive playbook was slimmed down, and there were most consistent base sets. More times where the defense was in position to just react vs. think and react.  If things were simplified and that helped, that’s great. Of course it’s logical that the defense looked more cohesive given the return of several starters.

7) I didn’t understand Lamar Jackson’s decision to not play today. My feeling was with him practicing three days in a row – and this having been a must win game – that the 2x League MVP needed to be out there. Especially when there was talk that he was likely to be back for the Thursday Night game in Miami.  My thought process being that if he was close enough health wise to practice three straight days, and close enough to be expected to play Thursday; that he needed to try and go today. The Ravens were able to get the win today without him, and that’s a credit to the Ravens who took the field. It would have been really easy for players to mentally fold when it came out yesterday that Jackson wasn’t playing, and when Chicago started the game marching the field. Again, credit to those players for locking in, and finding a way to win today.

8) For the record, I’m a huge Jackson fan, and I’m not down on him for not suiting up. I’m not completely sure where he is physically, and I don’t know what the total decision making process was. For all I know, he won’t be out there Thursday night either. With Huntley playing well today, maybe they keep Jackson out another game, and he gets the ‘mini-bye’ to get that additional rest?  I did think it was good seeing Jackson out on the sidelines, actively engaged. I think Jackson is a winner, and I’m pretty convinced that winning is what drives him. I think he’s a great guy, and I like his demeanor and leadership. On the other-hand, I think there is at-least anecdotal evidence to suggest Jackson doesn’t like taking the field if he doesn’t feel close to 100%.  To be fair to Jackson, my conjecture there might be complete bull. There is a line of thinking he wasn’t right health wise to start this season, but he still giving it a try. Whatever my thoughts are on on my couch, or behind my computer; I do think we have to ultimately give players the benefit of the doubt. They are the ones who have to be the arbiters between playing hurt, and being injured.

9) Like the players who lined up today, I think Head Coach John Harbaugh and his Coordinators (OC Todd Monken, and DC Zach Orr) all get credit today. The offensive approach made sense to me. We talked about the defense above. And again, the players who suited up, showed up with pride.  They weren’t throwing in the towel.  Something to build from.

10) In texts to my colleague Jamie Sieck this week, I did say I don’t think Harbaugh will be back in ’26.  Seems to me that every scenario points to this being the last season with him at the helm. If the Ravens rebound here, and go on an extended run which ends with Harbaugh holding the Lombardi for the second time – then he walks into the sunset.  If the Ravens rebound enough to get back to the playoffs, but are bounced early, there will be a lot of people screaming for a change. If today was an aberration, and the Ravens completely fall a part; that also seems like a scenario primed for turnover.

11) Or maybe I have that wrong, and the Ravens will be inclined to run it back no matter what.

12) Charlie Kolar had his third career TD today. Also had a bit hit on special teams. Today was Isaiah Likely’s fourth game of the year, and he’s got 26 yards for the season so far. I’d like to get him going Thursday night.

13) The next three games are at Miami, at Minnesota, and at Cleveland. The opportunity to get to 5-5 is there. The Dolphins come first.  Miami ended a three game losing streak today, with a 34-10 demolishing of the Falcons in Atlanta. Tua Tagovailoa was 20 of 26, with 4 TD’s, and sacked just once. Miami lost Tyreek Hill to injury for the season earlier this year, but they still have Jaylen Waddle who had 5 catches for 99 yards today. RB De’Von Achane is averaging 5 yards per carry for the year, and also has 37 receptions. The defense features Minkah Fitzpatrick, Bradley Chubb, Jordyn Brooks, and Jaelan Phillips.  Also former Raven Matt Judon, and former Terps – Jordan Phillips, and Dante Trader. It’s not a team with zero talent, It is a game that if you knew Jackson was playing, you’d fully expect to win. If Huntley is starting, the Ravens should be a slight favorite. Heading into this weekend, the Dolphins were 30th overall in DVOA (28th offense, 31st defense), while the Ravens were 25th (18th offense, 27th defense). Looks like the Ravens are a 7.5 point favorite, and ESPN’s Match-up Predictor is giving the Ravens a 63.9% chance of winning; so maybe Vegas is expecting Jackson to play.