Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde: Ravens edition

Who are the Baltimore Ravens?

After today’s shutout victory, they record their third shutout on the season. For a team with such a stout defense, you’d believe their record sits above .500; maybe even lead their division. Instead, they sit right at .500, ten games into their 2017 campaign.

Two completely different sides of the ball reflect the win/loss columns, which encapsulate this teams season: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde.

At times, they’re a ravenous monster. They put up a herculean effort, shutting out Andy Dalton at home. They rack up a 40-0 beatdown against the Miami Dolphins. In Green Bay, they leave the field with zero points allowed.

But just as many times as they’ve claimed victory, they’ve suffered defeat. The Minnesota Vikings slapped around the Ravens offense, and scored touchdowns on the Ravens defense. Pittsburgh marched into M&T Bank Stadium and applied a thorough butt-kicking. In London, the Jaguars were wondering whether or not the Ravens even showed up to the game.

Once more, this begs the question, ‘Who are the Baltimore Ravens?’

They’re a top five defense, maybe top three, with a lethargic offense. At no point can this team create a full, team-effort. When the offense can score, the defense crumbles. When the defense stands strong (far more frequently than the former), the offense can’t get out of their own way. It’s the quarterback, the play-calling, the blocking, the receivers, the penalties, all of it. It’s frustrating and confusing, and for that, the Ravens will only go as far as the offense allows. A chain is only as strong as the weakest link, and that link, is the Ravens offense.