We’re getting real close to live football in Baltimore, as we now are just 10 days away from the Ravens’ first preseason matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles on August 12th.
Looking at how the pundits view the team, I hope you trust Sports Illustrated:
Sports Illustrated ranks the Ravens as the fifth-best team going into the 2023 season in their latest power rankings. pic.twitter.com/oDlQxGH2f4
— Ravens Nation LIVE (@LIVERavenNation) August 1, 2023
If the team is going to be a true contender, though, it must be able to eliminate the late-game collapses entirely. Last year, that really did end up being the primary issue:
in the final 20 seconds of each half the Ravens defense allowed 40 points to be scored last year
that's the most of any defense in the last 5 years
and it lost them 3 games
up 35-14 on MIA
up 20-3 on BUF
up 19-10 on JAXlost all 3 in the final seconds pic.twitter.com/jmZIZGpk41
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 1, 2023
All three of those losses were against teams that ended up being successful and are likely to be again this year. Each was gut-wrenching, but I do think the defense will be better equipped to close things out this season.
One reason for the improvement could simply be experience for young stars like Kyle Hamilton. In 2023, secondary coach Chris Hewitt is expecting big things from the former Notre Dame product:
Ravens secondary coach Chris Hewitt on safety Kyle Hamilton: “I expect him to be a Pro Bowl-type player.” pic.twitter.com/AMHVMwzbSu
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) August 1, 2023
Alongside a healthy Marcus Williams, having the deep coverage will prevent chunk plays, and in tandem, should prevent comebacks.
The other option, of course, is to continue scoring. It never hurts to have weapons, and this year it continues to look like Baltimore has a number of them. I feel like a broken record, but we again have to start with rookie wideout Zay Flowers:
Zay Flowers DOMINATED Ravens DBs In Sparkling Practice
The hype surrounding first-round WR Zay Flowers was warranted today as he shined in Ravens training camp.It didn't matter if Zay Flowers was going against fellow rookies, newly-minted starters or established veterans, the… pic.twitter.com/1gEZeXsshN
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) August 2, 2023
Flowers, Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman are all poised to take the offense to a new level, but an overlooked standout has been former Patriot Nelson Agholor. For some fans, the WR has always been a Raven:
Nelson Agholor has always been a Raven pic.twitter.com/HjebSNFIJY
— Lamar & Order: RPO (@moneymarlo44) August 1, 2023
Jokes aside, Agholor has had a tough career but has flashed before. With Baltimore, it seems he could be finding his footing:
Nelly feels at home in Baltimore: pic.twitter.com/5s5VwNcHYr
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 1, 2023
Part of that easy transition could be down to the quarterback, with whoom Agholor seems to be developing a nice relationship:
Ravens WR Nelson Agholor on Lamar Jackson: “When you play with him, you start to get inside his understanding of the game. The type of conversation we have has been very impressive. He’s in his 6th year but he leads and has conversations like a very, very seasoned guy.” pic.twitter.com/1ieUmutWGq
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) August 1, 2023
Garrett Downing went into more detail about these statements in Tuesday’s Final Drive:
"He leads and has conversations like a very, very seasoned guy." pic.twitter.com/9ieQ599Fu8
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 1, 2023
If this partnership continues to flourish, though, it will be interesting to see how much of an impact Agholor has throughout the season. He made an impact on Tuesday, making the play of the day from camp:
With the offseason he‘a been having, Nelson Agholor as the Ravens’ fifth option at wide receiver isn’t bad at all pic.twitter.com/QN0LWHNeJo
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) August 1, 2023
Agholor is confident in the team’s ability, and he does feel something special is cooking in Charm City:
"I'm a part of something special… Truly have some fun playing football." pic.twitter.com/mQadPZwMXL
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 1, 2023
On the marketing side, the Ravens’ media team continues to be at the top of their own game, with a superlatives video dropping Tuesday. It’s a bit of a watch, but trust me, it’s worth your time getting to know the team before the season begins:
Change the world? Write a bestselling book? Break a world record? 🌎📚🤯 pic.twitter.com/12ARdcxXEk
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 1, 2023
To segue into the last piece of today’s Out to Lunch, they should’ve asked ‘most likely to let a fan score against them.’ In the video below, DaKidGowie asks the flip of that question to fans at the last stadium practice, and it’s a riot:
#RavensFlock , I’m back with another question from Training Camp!
For $1M, which Baltimore Ravens player would you go HEAD UP against? 🤔😂 pic.twitter.com/tTh9N0k7qL
— GOWIE (@DaKidGowie) August 1, 2023
I think I’d have to go with the 5’8” Keaton Mitchell. Who could you take one-on-one?
One Response
It’s a good article. I’d like to add some points. First if the defense is going to be as good as I think then there may not be as many red zone opportunities for opponents. I can see an improved pass rush and collapsed pockets. I see Mac with more schemes and utilizing the talent to minimizing long gains. I can seem more three-and-outs with this D. I think this D can be a special group and with the increased pressure, turnovers, intensity and focus leading to less late collapses.
But in the end I am feeling very upbeat about Todd, Lamar, and this offense. Unlike in the past, the up tempo offense, the spreading of the field, and the talent on this offense is scary. So if the D should happen to give up a lead this offense should be able to strike fast and get points.
As I see it, it goes both ways. With the O and D playing good ball, the opposition will be the ones struggling to keep up. An up-tempo offense and opportunistic D spells headaches and nightmares for the opposition this season.
There’s just a different vibe about this team. No worries.