Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks. Football is also in high demand at this time. The Ravens have ten reasons to be grateful, which are as follows:
The standings of the AFC
With six games remaining, the Ravens (8-3) are positioned as the top seed.
Why can’t we just hand Baltimore a first-round bye and begin the playoffs this weekend? No, it’s not possible. The Ravens have a more difficult remaining schedule than many of their opponents, including the Chiefs (7-3), who are only half a game behind, so if they want to hold onto their top seed, they will need to play outstanding football.
Nonetheless, the Ravens should be commended for winning the AFC North, the most competitive division in the NFL, and for holding the top spot at Thanksgiving. For the Ravens, winning the division and guaranteeing at least one home playoff game (and perhaps a first-round bye) would be monumental, and they’ve set themselves up to do just that.
The Contract with Lamar Jackson
Recall February, when the organization was under a cloud due to Jackson’s unclear status. He’s signed a new five-year contract eight months later and is enjoying one of his best seasons to date. Jackson has improved his throwing accuracy to a new level and has a career-high completion percentage of 69.5 in his first year in offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s scheme.
Jackson, a dynamic player who is still young at age 26, is determined to win another Super Bowl for Baltimore. There are a lot of teams in the league with questionable quarterback situations, and winning a Super Bowl is very tough unless you have a lock on the starting job. It makes sense that the Ravens are grateful to have Jackson.
The Rush of Passage
Who would have guessed, prior to the season, that the Ravens, with David Ojabo starting in just three games and Tyus Bowser not playing at all, would lead the NFL in sacks at Thanksgiving?
Kudos to general manager Eric DeCosta for bringing in veteran linemen Jadeveon Clowney (6.5 sacks) and Kyle Van Noy (6.0), who were available as free agents at the start of August. With 9.5 sacks, Justin Madubuike is having an incredible season. Mike Macdonald, the defensive coordinator, is coming up with inventive schemes that are feeding the pass rushers. When facing the Ravens, any quarterback knows he will be hit, often. Even the most skilled quarterbacks may find that uncomfortable.
Ravens’ Unwavering Concentration
You can criticize the Ravens for blowing leads in the fourth quarter, but you can’t criticize their effort or focus. They were ahead going into the fourth quarter of every game. They have never treated an opponent with respect. They are unfazed by tough losses and injuries. That speaks highly of the coaches and players. Observing the Ravens, one sees a team that is prepared to play each week. It is a great loss to lose Mark Andrews, maybe until the following season. Nothing, though, has compromised this team’s resolve. That indicates a team that is trying to win a championship.
Depth
After losing J.K. Dobbins for the season in Week 1, the Ravens have now lost Andrews to injury. Marcus Williams has missed six games, Marlon Humphrey five, Ronnie Stanley four, and now Andrews is out. Strong performances from players who have easily assumed key roles, like Patrick Mekari, Geno Stone, and Brandon Stephens, have helped the Ravens overcome those absences. Although every team talks about having the “next man up” mentality, there are situations in which the next man performs poorly. The Ravens are winning because their roster is talented from head to toe.
Zay Flowers
The wide receiver selected in the first round by the Ravens leads them in receiving yards (588), catches (53), and targets (72). With just ten games under his belt, Flowers is still getting to know the ins and outs of the wide receiver position, but his joystick quickness has given the offense more big-play potential. Flowers has the potential to become a star and is already a formidable cover for opponents.
The Coach Is Getting On
With 10 rushing touchdowns, Gus Edwards ranks second in the NFL and has become a major asset as Baltimore’s lead back. Although the Ravens have the best rushing attack in the NFL and are ranked No. 4 in red zone efficiency, Edwards plays a significant role in the team’s success. With Jackson’s running ability, Keaton Mitchell, and Edwards’ full recovery from a serious knee injury sustained in 2021, the Ravens have a versatile ground game that may grow even more significant in the final stages of the season.
The Return of Big Plays
The Ravens have bolstered their offense with some impactful home run hitters in Flowers, Mitchell, and Odell Beckham Jr. The Ravens are as good at running the ball as anybody, but they can also move quickly, and if Jackson and his wide receivers can start making more deep ball connections, there could be more big plays.
The Protective
The Ravens lead the NFL in third down defense, red zone defense, and rushing yards allowed. They are also giving up the fewest points (19.1 per game) among all teams. We should be grateful for the dynamic inside linebacker tandem of Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen, with Smith likely to be a pillar of the defense for many years to come. Even though it’s challenging to stop one of the NFL’s best offenses for the duration of a game, the Ravens have a strong defense.
The Week of Bye Is Nearing
The Ravens are scheduled to play in Los Angeles on Sunday after having already played in London and Phoenix. Their last game was on Nov. 16, when they defeated the Bengals on “Thursday Night Football.” They will, however, have a bye in Week 13. Following Sunday’s game, Baltimore will have a much-needed break that will aid in players’ recovery for the remaining home games.
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