Grading Baltimore @ Cleveland. The new touchback rule is decreasing, not increasing, the number of touchbacks. An unlikely Raven is the STPOW. The Ravens are off to their best start in seven years, thanks in large part to some key free agents.
PFF has high marks for Eric Weddle and Rick Wagner, among others this week, though neither of them took home their “game ball.”
Ravens, Others Exploiting New Kickoff Rule in Way NFL Didn’t Intend
I wondered about this back when this rule change was introduced. If you trust your coverage team, why wouldn’t you have your kicker boot it high and try to cover, rather than just conceding five extra yards? The number of kickoff returns league-wide is up 7% this year so far, which is the opposite effect that the rule change was supposed to have.
Lawrence Guy Named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week
That was Lawrence’s fourth blocked kick in the NFL.
Ravens Off to Best Start in Seven Years, Despite Winning Ugly
It certainly doesn’t feel like it’s been since way back in 2009 that this squad started 2-0. After two ugly wins though, it doesn’t *feel* like an undefeated team right now either.
Video: Biggest Returns on Free Agent Spending
NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah names the Ravens as one of the teams whose free agent acquisitions are making a difference so far.
