The Ravens have flown to new heights. Here are a number of standout stats

The Ravens are now 6-2 following the team’s 31-24 victory against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

Two wins came early for Baltimore with a 25-9 victory over the Texans on Sept. 10 and a 27-24 win against their AFC North rivals in the Bengals in the following week. Baltimore lost a nail biter on Sept. 24 – falling to the Colts 22-19 in overtime. The Ravens ran over the Browns on Oct. 1 with a 28-3 win, followed by a loss to their vaunted rival Steelers, 17-10. Baltimore has since won three consecutive games – 24-16 against the Titans, defeating the Lions 38-6 and its aforementioned win over Arizona. 

It all begins with some key statistics, namely Baltimore’s DVOA. According to Aaron Schatz, who is the chief analytics officer of FTN Network, Baltimore leads the NFL in the stat – 41.1%. It is the second highest DVOA all-time through eight games after the 2001 Philadelphia Eagles, when they were 5-3 on the season. In fact, Baltimore is the best 6-2 team ever in DVOA, according to Schatz.

Pro Football Focus and The 33rd Team’s Marcus Mosher created a chart that displays the amount of big plays each team has on the year. This includes rushing plays over 10 yards and receptions over 20 yards. Baltimore sits at 63, trailing only the Miami Dolphins who have 67 this season.

Baltimore has a top-10 scoring offense and defense, a top-3 rushing offense in yards and touchdowns, the team has limited its passing turnovers sitting in bottom-10 in interceptions thrown and sits in the top-3 on defense in interceptions.

Here are some of the Ravens stats that stand out through eight games of the season.

Individual Statistics

Offense 

There’s the catalyst to Baltimore’s offense. His name is Lamar Jackson, who has continued to show improvement as a passer this season. Jackson is third in completion percentage (70.5%), has the third highest PFF grade among quarterbacks (88.0), is fifth in yards per attempt (7.8), is seventh in passer rating (101.0) and only has three interceptions on the season – ranking second. He’s eighth in rushing touchdowns with five on the season, tied with teammate Gus Edwards, Josh Allen, Zack Moss and De’Von Achane and sixth in yards per carry (5.1). 

Speaking of Edwards, he’s 15th in rushing yards this season (426) and 19th in yards per carry (4.1). Edwards has boosted his production in the passing game with seven receptions for 107 yards and 17.8 yards per reception – his longest coming against the Lions on a 70-yard catch and run.

Tight end Mark Andrews is third in touchdown receptions on the year (6), tied with the likes of wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Courtland Sutton. The next closest tight ends in the category are ranked 12th with four touchdowns – Travis Kelce and Donald Parham. Andrews is sixth among tight ends in receiving yards with 397 and holds the sixth spot with a PFF grade of 75.5 in his position group.

Zay Flowers has the fourth most receiving yards of all rookies this season with 461. Flowers has a 70.1 PFF grade.

While the offensive line is a unit, rather than an individual – its doing its job in the passing game, allowing pressures on just 15.5% of dropbacks by Jackson – ranking third in the NFL. Jackson has been hit the second least in the league with just 13 hits against him and the team has the sixth fewest quarterback hurries with 11 on the year.

Defense

Brandon Stephens is fifth in the NFL in pass deflections with eight. The defensive back additionally has two interceptions and touts a 70.1 PFF grade. 

Defensive tackle Justin Madubuike is eighth in sacks this season with 6.5 through eight games. The 2020 third round selection now has his highest sack total of his career, eclipsing his 2022 mark of 5.5. Madubuike is up for a new contract this offseason.

Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy weren’t the most heralded signings, but they’ve proven to be two of the most important additions to Baltimore’s defense this season. Clowney is third on the team in sacks with 3.5 and second in quarterback hits with 11. Van Noy has three sacks and four quarterback hits. Van Noy has played in just five games, after signing with Baltimore’s practice squad on Sept. 27 and being elevated to the active roster on Sept. 30.

Linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen are fourth and 15th in the league in tackles with 82 and 69 respectively. Queen has 3.5 sacks on the season, holding a 72.3 PFF grade in a contract season. Smith’s grade of 87.6 is the sixth highest among linebackers this season and the fourth best coverage grade (90.1).

Geno Stone is the NFL leader in interceptions with five. Stone entered the season as the presumptive backup to Marcus Williams and Kyle Hamilton at both safety positions, but has since solidified his spot as a key cog to Baltimore’s back end of the defense with a pectoral and hamstring injury shelving Williams. Stone also becomes a free agent in 2024. Stone is the seventh-rated safety on PFF with a grade of 85.9.

Team Statistics

Interceptions

The Ravens have the seventh most interceptions in the league with eight. Stone has five, Stephens has two and Kyle Hamilton has the other.

Passing Touchdowns Allowed

The Ravens have allowed just six passing touchdowns this season, ranking second in the NFL.

Passing Yards Allowed

Baltimore has allowed 1,413 passing yards in 2023, which is good for third in the league. 

Points Allowed Per Drive

Baltimore allows 2.15 points per drive – the best mark in the NFL.

Point Differential

Baltimore has outscored its opponents by 81 on the season for second in the National Football League, trailing the Buffalo Bills (+86). 

Rushing Touchdowns

Baltimore is second in rushing touchdowns with three on the season.

Rushing Touchdowns Allowed

2023 has been kind to the Ravens in this department, ranking third in rushing touchdowns allowed (3).

Rushing Yards

The team holds the third most rushing yards with 1,145 on the ground in 2023.

Rushing Yards Allowed

Baltimore has allowed 799 rushing yards, ranking 12th in the NFL.

Sacks

The Ravens lead the NFL in sacks. Five players have three or more sacks.

Scoring Defense

121 points allowed ranks first in the NFL for Baltimore. The Ravens allow only 15.13 points per game.

Scoring Offense

The Ravens have the seventh-ranked scoring offense with 202 points scored this season. Baltimore scores 25.3 points per game.

Yards Allowed (Defense)

Baltimore is second in yards allowed at 2,212 on the season. 

Yards Gained (Offense)

Baltimore has gained 2,806 yards on offense this season, ranking 11th in the NFL.

* Correction

 

I'm not sure this article is clear, the Ravens are the best *6-2* team ever, but not the second-best team ever through 8 games.

There are a number of 8-0 and 7-1 teams that were better than this year's Ravens starting w/the usuals: 07 Pats, 91 Skins, 85 Bears, 96 Packers, etc. https://t.co/n2pqmKXc9X

— Aaron Schatz 🏈 (@ASchatzNFL) November 2, 2023