Ravens Power Rankings Roundup Week 3: Big-time leap after ‘gutsy win’ vs. Chiefs

The Baltimore Ravens (1-1) regrouped after their Week 1 loss with a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs (1-1), who many considered to be a Super Bowl favorite.

The Baltimore Sun

No. 6 (+3)

“It’s not hyperbole to say that the Ravens’ win over the Chiefs on Sunday night might have saved their season. Only 8% of NFL teams since 1990 have made the playoffs after starting 0-2, and the Ravens are dealing with a league-high 15 players on injured reserve. But behind a dominant rushing attack and an opportunistic defense, Baltimore showed it can still reach the heights of its 14-2 season in 2019 behind Jackson and coach John Harbaugh. That’s a scary thought for the rest of the AFC, especially as the Ravens get healthier.” — C.J. Doon

NFL.com

No. 3 (+4)

Lamar Jackson reminded the football world on Sunday night there’s nobody quite like him, and his utter uniqueness is what makes the Ravens capable of beating anyone. The former MVP willed his short-handed team to a thrilling 36-35 comeback win over the defending conference champion Chiefs, who were shut out 12-0 in the game’s final quarter. Jackson seemed to do it all, but he did have some help: The defensive hero was rookie first-round pick Odafe Oweh, whose forced fumble and recovery late in the fourth quarter halted a seemingly preordained game-winning drive by Kansas City and set the stage for Baltimore’s gutsy fourth-and-1 conversion to seal the game. The Ravens are in business. — Dan Hanzus

ESPN

No. 9 (+1)

The Ravens added wide receivers in the draft (27th overall pick Rashod Bateman) and in free agency (Sammy Watkins), but Brown has become a legitimate No. 1 target. Teams have crowded the middle to take away tight end Mark Andrews as an option, and Lamar Jackson has responded by getting the ball more to the outside and into the arms of Brown. His 182 yards receiving ranks 10th in the NFL — more than DeAndre Hopkins and Stefon Diggs. Perhaps Brown’s production shouldn’t be a surprise. Dating back to Week 12 of last season, Brown has caught eight touchdown passes in his past eight games. No one in the NFL has more. — Jamison Hensley

CBS Sports

No. 9 (+2)

That was an impressive victory over the Chiefs, a team that had their number in recent years. The offense looked great, but the defense needs to be better. — Pete Prisco

Pro Football Talk

No. 3 (+8)

After one of the most deflating losses of the Harbaugh/Lamar era, the Ravens get their signature win. — Mike Florio

Bleeding Green Nation

No. 6 (+7)

Gutty win by the Ravens in a tough spot. Coming off a road game on short rest, dealing with a bunch of injuries, playing the mighty Chiefs … conditions weren’t exactly ripe for victory. Especially after Lamar Jackson threw a pick-six on Baltimore’s first drive. But the Ravens hung tough and John Harbaugh’s aggressiveness gave his team an edge to squeak out a very big victory. Jackson finally got the “can’t beat Mahomes” monkey off his back. Well done. — Brandon Lee Gowton

New York Post

No. 8 (+8)

Nothing is more important than a symbiotic coach-quarterback relationship. John Harbaugh asking for Lamar Jackson’s input (and then trusting him with the ball) on the decision to go for a fourth-and-1 to put away the Chiefs spoke volumes about a bright future as Jackson awaits his big contract extension. The defense needs to improve. — Ryan Dunleavy

Bleacher Report

No. 5 (+4)

Heading into Sunday night, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson faced a daunting task. If he didn’t beat the Kansas City Chiefs for the first time in his career, the Ravens would fall into the dreaded 0-2 hole after a soul-crushing overtime loss the week before in Las Vegas. Fortunately for the Ravens, Jackson is a superstar.