Last Sunday the Ravens welcomed another NFC Division leader into Baltimore in what was expected to be a one of the best games on the slate for Week Nine.
And for a second time John Harbaugh’s team sent the opposition reeling in a dominant display on both sides of the football and left fans and analysts wondering if the Baltimore Ravens are the best team in the NFL.
Baltimore used a bruising rushing attack, an efficient passing game, and a lockdown defense to crush the Seattle Seahawks 37-3. It was one of those almost perfect games that fans only dream of where literally everything goes right. A look inside the numbers shows just how lopsided this game was. The Ravens offense gained 515 total yards with almost 300 of those running the football.
Todd Monken’s offense continues to evolve on a weekly basis but it’s clear that this team is still built to run the ball down the defense’s throats. Seattle, who came into the game as a top ten defense against the run looked almost helpless trying to stop the Ravens rush attack. The Gus Bus was loaded up as Edwards scored twice on the afternoon, but the biggest story was the emergence of rookie Keaton Mitchell. He showed vision, burst and an ability to run through contact. He also gives Baltimore yet another option in the backfield that teams must account for in the game plan.
Mitchell was, in a word, explosive. That’s also how it best to describe this offense. They are second in the league in Big Plays through nine weeks and first in explosive runs (10+ yds.). When you have Lamar Jackson under center the next play can always be a big gain but adding a small speedy runner like Mitchell helps add another valuable piece to this dynamic group.
1) Veterans Day – Two reasons why the Ravens defense are one of the league’s best are the veteran players that were added this year – Kyle Van Noy and Jadaveon Clowney. Van Noy has five sacks (two last week) in six games this season and he has added experience and production to a group that at the season’s start were relying on youth to put pressure on the quarterback. He’s been a bit of a journeyman much of his career playing for five teams during his ten year stint but more importantly he’s won two Super Bowls.
Clowney may not have as many sacks but he’s been excellent turning up the heat on the opposing signal caller. His pressure rate is excellent for his position. A late addition like Van Noy he’s not concerned with stats though and seems hyper focused on getting his first championship. Just another tip of the cap to Eric DeCosta for assembling such a talented defense full of playmakers all while signing Lamar Jackson to a record breaking contract.
2) Defensive Struggle – The main storyline this week is about two of the best defenses in the league going at it for the second time in an important divisional game. Just pick any defensive stat from Sacks to Points give up per game and you’ll find Baltimore and Cleveland among the league’s best. So, the main question will be more about what will the offenses do against such strong opposition.
The first time during Week 4 in Cleveland the Ravens took the first meeting 28-3. Baltimore took advantage of an over aggressive defense and opened gaps for Lamar Jackson to throw and run to a comfortable victory. So what adjustments will be made this time around?
Another major difference will be Deshaun Watson is healthy and scheduled to start and in this one and Cleveland is hoping for a much better offensive performance than they got last time around.
3) Who to Watch? – Myles Garrett is on my mind every play. He’s one of the league’s best players and he can change momentum in the blink of an eye. Ronnie Stanley has had success against him in the past but the left tackle hasn’t been playing his best this season so it’s a matchup that bears a second look.
Keaton Mitchell seems like an obvious choice here after his breakout game against Seattle. However, he is nursing a hamstring injury and was a limited participant during Thursday’s practice so we will see if he can increase his legend.
The Ravens secondary has been simply fantastic this season and it will be important for the whole group to perform at a high level again as they deal with Amari Cooper and David Njoku. Without Nick Chubb I think the Browns will lean more heavily on Watson and look to move the ball through the air. Let’s hope they are up to the task.
Happy Football everyone! Enjoy Week Ten and Go Ravens!
Matt has lived in Maryland his entire life and is a graduate of Calvert Hall and Towson University. has always been an avid Baltimore sports fan. Since 2007, he has been writing and talking about Baltimore sports, especially the Ravens. His work has appeared on Ravens Gab, Russell Street Report, and he currently co-hosts a podcast “The Blitz- A Ravens podcast” with Brent Harris.