Some Ravens Thoughts With Three Games Left

After dropping a 27-24 OT thriller in Kansas City; the Baltimore Ravens are 7-6 with three games remaining in their regular season.

The Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, and Miami Dolphins all won; so there are four AFC teams posting that same 7-6 record. However, Baltimore holds the tie-breaker, and currently the 6th spot in the AFC Playoff race. With Pittsburgh also losing yesterday (in Oakland); the AFC North title is within reach.

(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)

Some Thoughts: 

1)  I went into yesterday thinking the Ravens had more than a puncher’s chance, and that it would be a 4th Quarter game. I also thought KC was rightfully favored being a quality team at home. While the end result was disappointing, it was an enjoyable watch. The most interested I’ve been in a Ravens game in years.

2) The Ravens have a two decade history of quality defenses. 2018 is no exception. By any metric, this 2018 defense is among the best going. However, if you can’t get stops with the game on the line you aren’t a unit to be remembered. More to the point, if this Baltimore defense is one of the NFL’s best; that says something about defense in the NFL in 2018. The rules are too far tilted to offenses.

3) The NFL has to do something about the officiating. After every play, players and fans alike are looking for flags. My suggestion would be for the NFL to encourage their refs to hold back throwing the yellow. Have a game where the flags only come out for the egregious. It’s a game built around ferocity and physicality. I have no illusions of the game going back to what it was, but people aren’t watching to see refs decide games weekly.

4) It seems likely that Flacco will be active this week. Does he start? Picture a scale with Flacco on one side and Jackson on the other. How things balance out, depends on how much weight you give the variables.

5) No matter who is under Center, the Ravens have to remain committed to running the ball. I do think the RPO offense creates better running opportunities for the RB’s, than they would experience with Joe starting.

6) While I would prefer a bellcow at RB; I like the trio of Edwards, Dixon, and Montgomery. The fact that these guys all have fresh legs here in December is a nice bonus. You like Edwards because there is no flash, just straight ahead downhill running. You like Montgomery because of his versatility. Dixon looks like the best of the three to me though. He’s got some burst, and ability to make guys miss. He’s also gaining yards after contact.

7) Was hoping Tim Williams would take a leap this year; instead he can’t get on the field. Him and Tyus Bowser have been very underwhelming over their first two years in the league.

8) Eric Weddle is a 2x 1st Team All-Pro, and a 5x Pro Bowler (including 3 of the last 4 seasons). I know he gets credit for providing direction in the Secondary, and I’m sure there are other benefits the veteran provides that go relatively unnoticed; but his coverage skills at this point is an issue. He seems to get torched with regularity. In ’16 and ’17 he had 10 total picks. To me, a lot of those picks came with him gambling for the big play. He was still getting torched at times in coverage, but he was also coming up with the occasional home run. Without the picks on the ledger this year, he looks overly exposed.

9) Thought the offensive line looked better yesterday with Hurst healthy and at LG, but the pass blocking wasn’t great overall. Particularly in the interior of the line, where Skura was once again pushed around.

10) It was mentioned at our board – and everywhere else – immediately. How the did the Ravens have Mosley in a situation where he was the one responsible for covering Tyreek Hill down the field?

11) Tampa Bay and Cleveland are capable of beating the Ravens in Baltimore; but you don’t expect to lose either of those games at home. If you do, you don’t belong in the playoffs. If the Ravens want to be part of the post-season, they need to earn their way there by winning out. Sandwiched between the Bucs and Browns is the December 22nd Saturday night game at LA vs. the Chargers. LAC improved to 10-3 yesterday with their win over Cincinnati, and they will next face the Chiefs in Kansas City Thursday. The Chargers are good, but so what? If you are going to get to the post-season, or do any damage once there;  you eventually have to beat someone good. Though you can’t even worry about the Chargers until you take care of the Bucs first.

12) What are the crowds going to look like against the Bucs and Browns? Every seat filled, or lots of purple showing?

13) Last week Jackson was kicked in the head by a teammate.  Yesterday he was hurt on a passing play. Injuries happen.  It’s football. His propensity for running and potentially being susceptible for more hits had nothing to do with the injuries which have occurred though.Yes, over time, if he takes more hits running… then it might become an issue. And yes, he has to prove he can be durable (one of the attributes which made Flacco valuable imo). Still Jackson’s value to the Ravens will be the initial contract.  You might not even want him back after that.  Let him provide some production at minimal cost, which will allow you to build a deep team around him. That’s his value.

14) If the Ravens reach the playoffs, nobody is going to be excited about facing Baltimore. A quality defense (even if not generational), a capable running game, and plus special teams? That’s a team which can be a hard out in January. A Division Title would certainly increase their prospects for a January run though.

15) A month ago, there seemed to be a growing consensus that Harbaugh was on his way out. Do we think that is the case now? I tend to think he’ll be back. Will be interesting to see what DeCosta does. Definitely a time of transition for the Ravens. Newsome to DeCosta. Flacco to Jackson. Is Harbaugh part of what comes next, or do the Ravens move on regardless of how things end here in ’18?