Ravens News 11/7: Midseason predictions, thorn in our side and more

Offensive Line Scoring vs. Patriots 11/3/19 - Ken McKusick

Skura: Matt had a plus game that continued a consistent season.

Scoring: 62 plays, 56 blocks, 3 missed, 1/2 penetration, 1 pressure, 1/3 QH, 52 points (.84 per play). That’s a B with adjustment at center.

It will be interesting to see how the Ravens approach an extension for Skura this offseason. Entering his RFA year, Matt stands to make a little over $3 million if tendered. However, his may be a case where the Ravens can afford to risk a moderately-priced, multi-year contract where Skura accepts a little less to avoid the risk of playing for his NFL career in 2020.

Week 10 NFL Power Rankings - PFF

4. BALTIMORE RAVENS

Last Week: 6th

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens jump from fourth to sixth following the team’s upset win over the Patriots in Week 9. The Jackson-led is unconventional, but it’s undoubtedly working. Baltimore enters Week 10 ranked first in EPA per play, fifth in yards per play and second in scoring drive percentage. Running backs don’t matter, but Jackson sure does.

NFL Midseason Predictions 2019: Playoff Picks, Super Bowl Champ, Awards Winners - Kalyn Kahler

MVP: Deshaun Watson, QB, Texans

OPOY: Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens

DPOY: Stephon Gilmore, CB, Patriots

AFC

1. Patriots

2. Ravens

3. Texans

4. Chiefs

5. Colts

6. Raiders

SUPER BOWL LIV: 49ers over Ravens

Find Out What Taylor And Finley Had To Say About The Ravens, Pass Rushing Depth And Matchups

ZAC TAYLOR

Head coach

Is preparing for Baltimore’s offense similar to preparing for a college offense?

“It’s not easy. They do a great job. They obviously spent a lot of time in the offseason understanding how they wanted to attack teams this year, and it’s shown. Their personnel fits their scheme really well and they’ve had a lot of success. All the coordinators had a lot of success at Buffalo and at San Francisco doing these similar things with quarterbacks. Again, it’s a great challenge for our whole team.”

RYAN FINLEY

Quarterback

When you’re watching film of Baltimore, have you seen a team that blitzes that often?

“Not really. That’s just what they do. It’s a fun challenge. We have plenty of tape to watch of them. Obviously this is the second time we’ve played them, so we have the first game to watch. That’s in their DNA, and it’s something we definitely have to be ready for.”

Do you feel that Baltimore is a good “measuring stick” opponent for your first game?

“The Ravens are just the next team on our schedule, and we need to take them seriously. They are very good against the run, and their offense is very explosive, so we need to worry about us and execute our stuff. They’re our next opponent, and that’s why they’re the most important one.”

‘Thorn in Our Side’: Ravens Preparing for Return of A.J. Green

“We know A.J.’s a thorn in our side,” cornerback Jimmy Smith said. “Makes tremendous plays. For sure, he’s gunning to come back. Can’t wait. We’re going to do our best to keep him contained and this offense contained.”

Asked how much Green’s return would affect Sunday’s matchup, Harbaugh said “it’s huge.”

“That’s a great receiving corps,” he said. “Tyler Boyd is a No. 1 anyway. And then you put A.J. Green on top of that, you have two top players. A.J. Green is one of the best in football. I think we’ve made the argument before that he’s the best in football.”

“We’re going to have our hands full,” Smith said. “The strength of their offense is their receivers and the strength of our defense right now is our secondary, so that’s going to be a good matchup.”