Every time that I see the Ravens take a hit that looks like it’ll knock them down for good, they keep getting back up. They feel different than any other Ravens squad I’ve ever watched, and every single game has felt within reach despite insane odds. They’ve taken adversity and learned to thrive in it, and, while it may not be good for the cardiac health of their fans, it’s become the lifeblood and identity of this year’s Ravens squad. Going into Week 10, they no longer fear a comeback situation.
In the immortal words of LL Cool J, “Don’t call it a comeback!”
The #Ravens have three double-digit second-half comebacks this season.
Never over with Lamar. pic.twitter.com/0HHaBRtnIR
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 8, 2021
In Sunday’s game that had plenty of moments when a win threatened to slip away, it was clear that Baltimore’s players and coaches never checked out. I won’t lie – after the kick return TD to open the second half, I thought it was out of reach. Then, just like in the Colts game, something clicked, and it seemed like they turned into a different team. The defense clamped down on the run (the last Vikings drive in regulation notwithstanding). The power run game seemed to confound Minnesota’s defense down the stretch, and they simply didn’t have an answer for #8.
Having cheered for this team for a long time, I can remember Ravens rosters that would have grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory in those situations. More recently, I can remember a recycled narrative that Lamar Jackson couldn’t engineer a comeback since his game-play was so reliant on playing with a lead.
Safe to say that narrative is dead now, yeah?
Lamar Jackson will out-pass your QB and out-run your RB.
There’s no one like him 🏆 @brgridiron
(h/t @ChuckModi1) pic.twitter.com/7n5DzSX8OH
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 8, 2021
There were plenty of imperfect moments, including a pair of interceptions that could have been VERY costly. Still, there’s no denying that Lamar’s poise in the pocket has improved from last season, and the passing threat is the real deal. Despite any number of prognosticators and trolls alike telling us that Lamar would be figured out sooner or later, this is what the rest of the league feared. He’s begun to round out the passing game, his rushing attack is absolutely deadly, and, even with a patchwork O-line, he’s taking over games.
Lamar Jackson gained 72 rushing yards on 12 scrambles (+16 RYOE), the only game in the NGS era where a QB had double-digit scramble runs.
Jackson leads the NFL with 1,443 rushing yards on scrambles in his career (+525 RYOE, 1st).#BALvsMIN | #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/xQNYkf65sD
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) November 7, 2021
Oh, and stop me if you’ve heard this before: he broke another record in the course of the comeback:
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson sets NFL quarterback record with 12th-career 100-yard rushing game https://t.co/gavfSffAOH
— The Ravens Wire (@TheRavensWire) November 8, 2021
The dude is a Create-a-Player in Madden, I’m almost sure of it. Still, it was a team effort, and the offense was taking the opportunities granted to them. And BOY, did they get their opportunities.
The @Ravens outsnapped the Vikings 89-52 on Sunday. It was the second most offensive snaps in a RS game, trailing only the 4th-and-29 game in 2012 (91 snaps) which also went to OT in SD.
They had 92 snaps in the divisional playoff loss to Ten after 2019 season.#RavensFlock
— Ken McKusick (@FilmstudyRavens) November 8, 2021
From the fourth quarter through the end of OT, Baltimore had possession of the ball for 13 minutes and 38 seconds, while Minnesota only posted 5 minutes and 25 seconds of possession. During that stretch, Le’Veon Bell showed poise and patience, recording a late touchdown and the run that would ultimately put the Ravens in field goal range in overtime. The contributions of the reliable power run game have the Ravens looking more like themselves again on offense.
Despite being ravaged by injuries at RB and along the OL, the Ravens lead the league in rushing yards per game (161.6).
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) November 8, 2021
However, a new element to the Ravens offense that I mentioned briefly earlier is a huge reason why the run game has a little more room: this receiving group is no joke.
What a catch by Devin Duvernay! pic.twitter.com/swEpnmHBdw
— USA TODAY NFL (@usatodaynfl) November 7, 2021
#Ravens WR @Primetime_jet is putting together a Pro Bowl caliber 2021 season:
8 games
6 TD
46 receptions
682 receiving yards (248 yards after catch)No. 5 is on pace to finish with 92 receptions, 1,364 receiving yards and 12 TD over a 17-game span.
Hollywood, indeed. pic.twitter.com/ZFfoGfBMPV
— Bobby Trosset (@bobbywbal) November 8, 2021
As much as I gripe and moan about the heartburn this team gives me, their “never say die” attitude has made every game fun to watch this season, and I’m excited to see how far we can carry this. More than that, I’m excited for the future. Not only is the offense evolving right before our eyes, but this is what they look like with about a third of the team hurt.
The Ravens are 3-1 this season when trailing by double digits in the 2nd half.
The rest of the NFL is 8-93 in those games.
— Paul Hembekides (@PaulHembo) November 8, 2021
With a healthy roster and the lessons they’ve learned this year, they’re putting the league on notice.
