The Baltimore Ravens improved to 5-2, with a 41-31 win at Tampa Bay.
The Bottomline
For the second straight week, the Ravens beat a current NFC Divisional leader.
The Ravens aren’t perfect, but they’re clearly as good as anyone.
Detroit is an excellent team, with strong physicality.
Kansas City is the 2x defending Super Bowl champ – and they beat the Ravens in the AFC Championship last year, and Week 1 this year.
If you think either of those teams is better than the Ravens, that’s fine.
This is the NFL, so even if the Ravens are the best, there are numerous teams which could beat them on any given Sunday (or Monday, or Thursday).
After 7 weeks of play though, I think it’s relatively clear that it’s not about who’s on the other sideline and who the Ravens are facing.
.
This season is going to come down to the Ravens not beating themselves.
They’ve got to improve their discipline.
The Defense needs better results.
They brought back Dean Pees to assist Zach Orr; I have to think the play will improve.
There’s too much defensive talent for the defense to remain a sieve.
There were a number of sloppy moments and penalties for the Ravens tonight.
Despite that, and despite spotting the Bucs a 10 point lead; the Ravens got the road win against a quality team.
What Happened Today? What Are The Takeaways?
Tampa Bay ran out to 10-0 lead, with back-to-back 70+ yard drives.
The Ravens responded with 17-0 2nd Quarter, going to half-time with the lead.
I liked that the Ravens faced a little immediate adversity.
You want to see how a team responds when things aren’t going their way.
Down 10, the Ravens answered with a 6 play, 70 yard drive, finishing with a Mark Andrews TD.
The Buccaneers seemed poised to answer the Ravens first score, but Baker Mayfield was picked in the end zone by Marlon Humphrey.
Four plays, and 80 yards later, the Ravens took the lead at 14-10, and never looked back.
The Ravens effectively ended the game with a 17-0 3rd Quarter.
Other Notes?
- Lamar Jackson threw 5 more TD’s tonight, and he is tracking towards MVP #3.
- Late in the 1st half, the ESPN telecast was wondering where Derrick Henry was, as he had only had 4 carries. Henry finished with 16 carries, 169 yards on the ground; and he also had a receiving TD.
- Big game for Rashod Bateman, as he finished with 121 yards and a score.
- Humphrey had two picks tonight, the first coming in the end zone. After the second, he left with a knee injury. Hopefully he is okay.
- Tampa Bay had greater success running the ball than you would have anticipated.
- The Ravens had 9 penalties.
- Baltimore went up over 500 yards of total offense, and averaged 9.4 yards per play.
- Three sacks for the Ravens tonight – Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, and Ar’Darius Washington. Could have been a fourth (Tavius Robinson), but a penalty waived it off.
- Justice Hill continues to make a difference anytime he touches the ball. Also contributed tonight in the Kick Return game.
- Justin Tucker made his two kicks tonight, including down the middle from 52. He seems to be past whatever was going on earlier in the year.
- After getting his first TD of the year last week, Mark Andrews had 2 more tonight.
- Tampa Bay was 10 of 16 on 3rd down, and they nearly had 500 yards of offense.
- I liked bringing in Yannik Ngakoue. I’d like to see the Ravens reunite with Jadveon Clowney. Clowney is with the Panthers. The cost to obtain can’t be much of anything.
- Before the season, my expectation would have been that the Ravens would prioritize adding a OL at the Trade Deadline. I think the Ravens have to look at bringing in another Corner. Again, I like the parts in the Ravens Secondary. I think talent wise, it’s a strong group. But additional CB depth is never a bad thing.
Next Up? A Trip To Cleveland
The Ravens will be on the road again Sunday against the Browns in Cleveland.
The 1-6 Browns will have the extra day of rest and preparation, but will it matter?
With Deshaun Watson suffering an Achillies injury, will the Ravens be facing Dorian Thompson-Robinson or Jameis Winston?
Nick Chubb returned to the Browns Sunday.
The Browns entered the year with aspirations of getting back to the playoffs.
That’s not going to happen.
I do think without Watson under Center, and with the Browns knowing their season is ‘done’, that they are likely to play looser the rest of the way.
They were supposed to have a quality defense.
If they can get Chubb going on the ground, maybe they’ll be able to play complimentary football and looked improved over the second half of the season.
Thompson-Robinson and Winston both played yesterday. Thompson-Robinson receiving more snaps.
I feel like Winston could be play similar to what the Browns got from Flacco last year. Joe was just attacking down the field, and taking chances.
Winston has always been a gunslinger.
If the Browns have some pride, they’ll show up for a division game.
Still, teams that are down are always looking for an excuse to fold.
If you let them hang around, they become more motivated.
If you hit them in the mouth right away, a lot of times those teams will just quit.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.