The Baltimore Ravens continued to dig out of their 1-5 start, with a 27-19 win at Minnesota.
With this win, the Ravens are now 4-5, and have an opportunity to reach .500 next Sunday in Cleveland – for the first time since they beat the Browns in Week 2.
Quick Hits
1) Heading into this weekend, the Ravens were up to 12th in overall DVOA (12th offense, 21st defense, 10th special teams). Minnesota was 22nd (28th offense, 15th defense, 6th special teams). The Ravens entered this game favored, and I expected a win. After the Ravens went 3 and out on their initial offensive series, and Minnesota quickly scored; I’d be lying if I said wasn’t having any concerns. It wasn’t that the Vikings seemed like some unbeatable juggernaut; or that 7-0 was an insurmountable deficit – it’s just that the Ravens don’t have much margin for error. The Ravens could have lost today, and still won the AFC North; so I don’t know if calling today a ‘must win’ is completely accurate. Whatever you term it though, had they lost, they would have been back to 3 games under .500. With the win, the good vibes continue to build, and it’s that much easier to breathe for the Ravens and their fans alike.
2) “I think we’re starting to hit our stride,” two-time Pro Bowl safety Kyle Hamilton said. “It’s not a surprise to us. I think we’re playing to our potential now, and that’s got to be sustained.” “We still have a lot of work to do, a lot of games left, but we’re enjoying the process of getting better, and I don’t think we’re taking what we’re doing lightly,” linebacker Kyle Van Noy said. Winning cures everything. When you lose, and you as a team are failing to meet expectations; fingers start getting pointed, and everyone is unhappy. You string together a few positive weeks, and everything looks better.
3) Excellent job by the Ravens of only being penalized 5 times in a stadium known for it’s crowd noise. Minnesota somehow wound up being penalized 13 times in their own stadium.
4) JJ McCarthy missed last year, and this was his 4th game this year. So, he doesn’t have a lot of experience. And he showed a few positives today, but overall the Ravens get credit for picking him twice, and now allowing McCarthy’s best WR’s (Justin Jefferson, and Jordan Addison) to take over the game. Jalen Nailor did have 124 yards and a score, and kudos to him. That’s fine, and if you are the Ravens you take that. You didn’t allow this game to become the Justin Jefferson Show, and that’s a win.
5) Rookie Malaki Starks had a pick for the second straight week.
6) New addition Dre’Mont Jones didn’t record a sack, but he did have 2 QB hits, and was able to get some pressure. That helped.
7) Travis Jones had the Ravens lone sack, and Marlon Humphrey had Baltimore’s second pick when Jefferson fell on an attempt down field.
8) Down 10-3, and facing 4th and 2 at the Minnesota 10 yard line with 1:11 left in the 1st half; I thought Coach Harbaugh was going to go for it. After lining up, the Ravens took the timeout, and elected to kick the FG to make it a 4 point game. I was pleased by the decision there to take the points.
9) The Ravens were able to get the ball back 30 seconds later, and managed to 63 yards over 4 plays to set up Tyler Loop’s 3rd FG of the half.
10) Derrik Henry was held under 4 yards per carry, as he finished with 75 yards on 20 attempts. Keaton Mitchell had 31 yards on 4 carries, including a long of 22.
11) Zay Flowers looked ridiculously fast on turf, and had 75 yards on 4 grabs.
12) 6 catches, 54 yards, and a TD for the Ravens 3 TE’s. Patrick Ricard had several big blocks, including the one that sprung Mitchell’s 22 yarder.
13) The Punt Return coverage was good today, as the Ravens held Myles Price to 5 yards on 3 punts.
14) Baltimore went up 27-13, after they finished a 11 play, 67 yard, 6+ minute drive with 10:40 left in the 4th and converted the 2 point conversion. Prior to the 2 yard TD pass to Mark Andrews, the previous 7 plays on that drive were all runs. A strong drive for the two score lead.
Up Next:
The Ravens play on the road for the third straight week, as they travel to Cleveland. The Ravens beat Joe Flacco and the Browns in Week 2, but Flacco is now in a Bengals uniform. Rookie Dillon Gabriel will be back under center for Cleveland. The Browns fell to 2-7 on the year, and 0-5 on the road with a 27-20 loss in New York vs. the Jets today. ESPN’s Match-Up Predictor is giving the Ravens a 79.8% chance of winning. FanDuel has the Ravens as an 8.5 point favorite.
There won’t be anyone picking Cleveland or expecting a Browns upset. It’s on the Ravens to make sure they Cleveland with a 5-5 overall record next week. Despite being heavy favorites, always have to remember it’s a week to week league. Who had Buffalo getting thumped in Miami today? Cleveland isn’t good, but’s a road divisional game, and the growing momentum would come to a screeching halt if the Ravens don’t take care of business.
Certainly would like to see the Ravens defense continue to build confidence against another young QB.
Would also like to see Henry put up a big day.
Beyond a win, you’d like to knockout Cleveland early enough that you can pull some starters early.
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.