Ravens Nest: The Ravens have steadied the running back position

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Alex Collins to remain Ravens' featured back despite others returning — ESPN.com

Asked whether Collins will remain the featured back, Mornhinweg said, "Yeah, he's done good job, hasn't he? He's gotten better every week. He's getting better at the details as well, so we can utilize him in more ways. Certainly, he'll be a featured guy."

Marty Mornhinweg: Ravens offense needs to ‘be aggressive in a real smart way’ — The Baltimore Sun

Through nine games, the unit ranks last in the NFL in yards per play at 4.4 and is near the bottom in several other important categories. The offense could welcome back running backs Terrance West (left calf) and Danny Woodhead (left hamstring) after an extended absence for Sunday’s road game against the Green Bay Packers, but would their presence be enough to light a spark?

Discussion of the offense’s shortcomings intensified after former tight end Dennis Pitta questioned the unit’s conservative philosophy, which might stem from Mornhinweg.

“Right now, Joe has one read and then he’s got to check it down if it’s not there," Pitta told WBAL Radio on Nov. 8. “That’s really the offense they have set up for him. It’s difficult to play quarterback under those circumstances.”

RAVENS HAVE YET ANOTHER TALENTED CORNERBACK THAT WILL BE A 'BIG PART' OF DEFENSE — BaltimoreRavens.com

But there’s yet another cornerback that Head Coach John Harbaugh praised Wednesday and said will be a “big part” of the defense moving forward.

Maurice Canady played in his first game of the season in Tennessee and had a strong performance.

He logged just nine snaps against the Titans, but that was four more than Lardarius Webband nine more than rookie Jaylen Hill. It seems Canady may be the primary nickel corner moving forward.

“We are counting on him,” Harbaugh said. “He is a very smart player, a very aware player to go with his talent.”

AFC North: The worst division in football? — Baltimore Beatdown

Cleveland remains the final winless team this season, which certainly drags the division down, but they have been perennial doormats. Pittsburgh has not generated the explosive offense they were thought capable of, but their seven wins are tied for second most in the league. The struggles of the Ravens and Bengals is most surprising, the middle teams are a combined four games under .500 currently.