:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65526384/usa_today_13547317.0.jpg)
The Baltimore Ravens had their most impressive win of the season on Sunday defeating the Seattle Seahawks 30-16. The defense showed up in a big way scoring two defensive touchdowns, and Lamar Jackson continued to make incredible plays in the pouring rain. As a result, the Ravens have been on the rise in this week's power rankings.
ESPN placed the Ravens at number 6 in their latest power rankings and stated that they were “right there with the Patriots as the class of the AFC”.
The Ravens have a stranglehold on the AFC North with a 2½-game lead over the Browns and the Steelers. Baltimore also has the look of a team that can make noise in the postseason, especially after beating the Seahawks on the road. Lamar Jackson is the ultimate equalizer because of his ability to scramble and make tacklers look foolish in the open field. The biggest question mark is the defense, which has been inconsistent and has a tendency to give up big plays. The Ravens are right there with the Patriots as the class of the AFC. -- Jamison Hensley
CBS Sports also ranked the Ravens 6th overall and praised their defense.
The defense was back against the Seahawks. That’s been their calling card for years and it enabled them to win a big road game.
Sports Illustrated was not as high on the Ravens as they came in at number 9. They did still write “the AFC North is Baltimore's to lose”.
Lamar Jackson ran all over the Seahawks on a gross day in the Pacific Northwest and Marcus Peters debuted by taking Russell Wilson’s first pick of the year to the house for a key score. The AFC North is Baltimore’s to lose as they hit the bye.
Yahoo bumped the Ravens up to number 8 and applauded the coaching staff's trust in Jackson to go for it on 4th and 2.
On a fourth-and-2 in a tie game, the Ravens went for it. Lamar Jackson ran for an 8-yard touchdown. That came in the third quarter, and the Ravens never gave up the lead. That call says everything you need to know about the staff’s trust in Jackson and the offense.
NFL.com moved the Ravens to number 10. Curiously, they were only 17th last week. They cited Jackson's transformation into a star as the key to Baltimore's success.
It’s time to come up with a proper nickname for Lamar Jackson, who is doing things on a football field that no one else can -- and it’s happening on a weekly basis. Lamargic? The LaMarvelous One? Let’s workshop it. On Sunday against the Seahawks, Jackson took a snap on fourth-and-2 from the Seattle 8-yard line, danced to his right, then shot through an opening like an evolutionary Michael Vick for the crucial go-ahead touchdown. Moments earlier, Ravens coach John Harbaugh called his field-goal unit back to the sideline and opened the door for his very special young quarterback to do something very special. “Do you want to go for that?” Harbaugh asked his QB. ”Hell yeah, coach, let’s go for it!” Jackson quickly replied. “Let’s go.” Jackson has transformed into a star in his second pro season, and the Ravens are one of the most dangerous teams in the AFC because of it.
The rest of the AFC North was well behind the Ravens in the power rankings this week. None of the other three teams had an average position under 20. Three rankings liked the Steelers over the Browns, while the other two had them switched. Every power ranking had the Bengals listed at either 30 or 31. Heading into their bye week, it is evident that the Ravens are well above the rest of the division. More importantly, they are starting to be recognized as a real contender in the AFC.