If Lamar Jackson is Clark Kent, then the halftime locker room is his phone booth. He became Superman, again, and willed the Ravens to a 34-31 victory in overtime over the Vikings. A games that was getting out of hand quickly out of the gate.
Here are five thoughts on the Ravens win, bringing them to 6-2.
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1. I’m convinced this season rests on Lamar Jackson.
That is truly unfair. In a team game to basically put it all on one guy. But as currently constructed, however far the Ravens go, will be dependent on Jackson’s ability to carry the team that day, coupled with receivers who will do their part and catch the ball. If it means not going that far, then it isn’t all on him either.
Jackson is running for his life behind a putrid offensive line. Rarely a clean pocket to step up and throw from. The running backs offer zero threat to the opposing defenses allowing them to key in on Jackson more.
Ray Lewis used to tell the offense “you give us seven points, we’ll win the game”. These days Lamar Jackson is assuming that he’ll need to engineer 30 or more points to have shot.
There will be days that the offensive line pulls their weight. Maybe the defense holds the opposition under 20 points. The running backs take some of the load off of Jackson. But to expect all those flawed position groups to put it together at one time is asking a lot. It basically happened in the Chargers game. So once in eight tries.
Today, Jackson accounted for 386 of the Ravens 500 offensive yards. Devonta Freeman and Le’Veon Bell did combine for 127 yards on the ground. Most of that came toward the end of the game when the Vikings defense was into its 40th minute and 80 something plays on the day. Exhausted.
Do what it takes to get to the postseason. Maybe Lamar Jackson dons the Superman cape for four straight games.
2. Ugly showing early after the time off.
The Ravens seemingly picked up where they left off during the Bengals game. Self-inflicted wounds, like Mark Andrews dropping a perfectly thrown TD pass. The inability to limit the big plays. On the Vikings first drive of five plays, three went for over 10 yards, including a 50-yard strike for a Justin Jefferson TD. Teams have picked on Anthony Averett a lot this year. But the Bengals truly showed that the Marlon Humphry/Chuck Clark side of the field was the way to go, and the Vikings went there early. Humphrey cheated his coverage and Clark didn’t keep Jefferson in front.
The third play of the Vikings second drive saw Dalvin Cook bust off a 66-yard run. Thanks largely again to a Chuck Clark looking like he was on roller skates out there. Instead of making a tackle he kept back peddling, unable to contain himself. The drive ended in a touchdown that didn’t need to be as Chris Board committed an egregious, unnecessary pass interference on 4th and goal from the 2. Fresh set of down, two plays later Kirk Cousins lept in.
At least the Ravens special teams is great…until they open the second half with a kickoff return for a TD, putting them in a 24-10 hole.
3. Patrick Ricard! Use this guy more!
Coming out of the half with the offense struggling (Jackson 8/17 passing at the time), the Ravens major adjustment on the first drive was swing passes to Patrick Ricard. It was a similar adjustment they made coming out of the half in the Titans playoff game a year ago. He runs these routes, and defenders don’t really take him seriously. The opportunity for big plays is there with some of the weapons.
But you gotta just take what defenses give you. If that means a fullback open in the flat who can gain 5-10 yards after catch each time, take it and say thank you. It acts as an extension of the running game which can be non-existent. Once teams must be honest about covering the fullback, it can only up your other weapons as well.
Great halftime adjustment. 3 catches, 35 yards and a TD. Use him more often.
4. Hats off to the run defense, limiting Dalvin Cook.
Cook rushed for 85 yards on his first three carries of the game.
He gained 25 yards on the ground on his next 14 rushes. 1.8 yards per carry.
Whatever adjustment was made, it was the right one. Tyus Bowser had his name called the most I think all year making some stops on the edge. Josh Bynes played him perfectly on the goal line to keep him from scoring. There were five tackles for loss by the Ravens defense. None stands out more than Patrick Queen tackling him for a loss of eight on the first down of a three and out. A three and out bookended by two Ravens TD drives. The first of which lasted 18 plays and 10 minutes 17 seconds. Their longest time of possession on a drive in 20 years. The defense couldn’t be more rested and came out strong.
I had a good feeling when on 3rd and 18, Cousins threw a five-yard pass to a tight end in the flat. Didn’t even try to get to 4th and manageable. Ultra conservative, which has been the main complaint by Vikings fans this season.
5. On the short week maybe we see some injured players come back for Miami.
Rashod Bateman was the only player on the injury report who suited up today. Notching five catches for 52 yards.
This week we’ll keep an eye on the status of Mark Andrews and Justin Madebuike who left todays game. Sammy Watkins and Brandon Williams who were inactive, with questionable tags. Patrick Mekari and Latavius Murray who sat out with doubtful tags. And if Nick Boyle will be ready to roll. He needs to be added to the 53-man roster by Wednesday anyway.
One player not returning is DeShon Elliott, who reportedly suffered a torn bicep and pectoral requiring surgery. Unfortunately his third season ending injury in four years.
The Dolphins are 2-7 after beating the Texans but will be without Tua Tagoviloa with a fractured finger. So maybe the Ravens can afford to rest the guys for another two weeks essentially. Then again, the Bills, the darlings of the AFC, lost to Jacksonville today, 9-6. Yes, Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, the entire gang was present.
Ravens fans. It could always be worse than what we saw today. Although our blood pressure might say otherwise.
Ravens Analyst
Mike was born on the Eastern Shore, raised in Finksburg, and currently resides in Parkville. In 2009, Mike graduated from the Broadcasting Institute of Maryland. Mike became a Baltimore City Fire Fighter in late 2010. Mike has appeared as a guest on Q1370, and FOX45. Now a Sr. Ravens Analyst for BSL, he can be reached at mike.randall@baltimoresportsandlife.com.