Ravens News 11/9: High-Powered Attack and more

Ravens Flashing High-Powered Attack - Todd Karpovich

The Ravens amassed 500 yards of offense against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9.

It was also the fourth time in eight games the Ravens have scored 30 or more points.

Baltimore’s offense is ranked second in the NFL with 427.9 yards per game behind the Dallas Cowboys (434.3 ypg).

The offense runs through quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is ranked ninth in the NFL with 2,209 yards passing with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Jackson is also ranked sixth among all players with 600 yards rushing with another two scores.

Hollywood Brown is having a breakout season with 662 yards receiving with six touchdowns.

The Ravens are one of the NFL’s most dangerous teams at the midpoint of the season.

“I don’t think we’re ever really out of a game, but you hate to be in those situations,” Brown said. “You kind of want to start fast so you don’t have to do that. But if you’re in that situation in the game, I’m confident that we can get it done.”

Twelve Ravens thoughts following Week 9 win over Minnesota - Luke Jones

Despite the clamoring during the bye week to upgrade a graybeard backfield, Devonta Freeman and Le’Veon Bell combined for 127 rushing yards at 5.3 yards per carry. Pro Football Focus credited Freeman with 40 yards after contact while Sunday’s win was easily the best Bell has looked as a Raven.

Credit Jackson and Greg Roman for unlocking plenty of success with passes to the flat. With only one catch since Week 1, Patrick Ricard was the unlikely star receiver on the third-quarter touchdown drive after the Ravens were on the ropes from the return touchdown to begin the second half.

Josh Bynes, Tyus Bowser, and Patrick Queen combined for 20 tackles — seven credited as defensive stops by PFF — and two pass breakups. The Ravens linebackers played quite well after the defense-wide poor start.

Defensive Notes Week 9 Vikings @ Ravens - Ken McKusick

THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE

The Ravens dominated this game in terms of time of possession (46:04 to 23:40), offensive plays run (89-51 excluding the fake punt), and first downs (36-13).

The 36 first downs exceeded the previous franchise record by 4. In the long history of the NFL, there have been only 8 instances of 37 or more first downs in a single game (all 37-40).

DEFENSIVE MVPS

Josh Bynes

Justin Madubuike

Tyus Bowser

Honorable mention to Calais Campbell, Justin Ellis, Justin Houston, Anthony Averett, DeShon Elliott, and Marlon Humphrey

The loss of DeShon Elliott is another gut punch to the Ravens defense. He had been a steadying presence on the back end and contributed significantly to the pass rush. The Ravens will probably use Geno Stone on the back end for the dime package the rest of the season with Stephens taking over Elliott’s FS role. Ar’Darius Washington should be active and provide flexibility as the 4th safety and backup SCB.

2021-22 NFL Free Agency: Top 50 NFL Free Agent Rankings - Brad Spielberger

32. DI CALAIS CAMPBELL, BALTIMORE RAVENS

The ageless wonder Calais Campbell is in the midst of another very strong season now at 35 years of age, with his 84.0 grade well above any of the other pending free agent interior defenders. He’s a better run defender at this stage in his career than he is a pass rusher, but he can still win his one-on-one matchup and get upfield in a hurry now and then. Much like Campbell’s longtime former teammate, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Campbell will likely continue to play on strong one-year deals until he decides to hang up the cleats.

Strengths:

-Wins on the interior and on the edge

-Length and quickness

Weaknesses:

-Gets moved by double teams in the run game

-Age

Contract Projection: One year, $8 million fully guaranteed

Bottom Line:

While Campbell is going to be 36 at the start of the 2022 season, he has enough left in the tank to provide a three-down presence to any defensive front.

Ravens are touchdown favorites vs. host Dolphins in ‘Thursday Night Football’ matchup - Jonas Shaffer

After opening as 6 ½-point favorites last week, the Ravens are now favored by 7 ½ by several bookmakers. With their overtime win Sunday over the Minnesota Vikings, the Ravens (6-2) have won six of their past seven games and trail only the Tennessee Titans in the AFC in winning percentage.

The Dolphins (2-7), meanwhile, are coming off their first victory since Week 1, a 17-9 victory over the Houston Texans. Miami was without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who missed the game with a finger injury on his throwing hand. Tagovailoa was limited in practice last week, and coach Brian Flores said Sunday that he’s “day-to-day.”

The Dolphins have been double-digit underdogs twice this season, but if the line holds, the Ravens would be the biggest road favorite to play in Miami this season. They’re 1-2 against the spread on the road this season and 2-1 overall. With quarterback Lamar Jackson starting, the Ravens are 9-0 in short-week games. The Dolphins, meanwhile, are 1-3 against the spread at home this season, with one push.