Flock Nation should be feeling great this Wednesday, as we’re halfway through the work week and one day closer to the Ravens potentially taking a commanding lead over the AFC North. More on that matchup with the Steelers later, but to put things in perspective, here’s where Baltimore stacks up against the rest of the division:
Heading into Week 5, #Ravens have a 92.9% chance of making the playoffs, per ESPN Analytics.
Here are the projections to win the AFC North …
Ravens 82.1%
Browns 11%
Steelers 5.2%
Bengals 1.7%Only 49ers (84.9%) have a better chance of winning their division than the Ravens.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 3, 2023
If you told me prior to Week 1 that we’d be in this situation, I wouldn’t have bought it. At the same time, the Ravens should be one of the few remaining 4-0 teams, so there’s still much John Harbaugh and company must work on.
Heading into this past weekend, one thing I thought the Ravens offense could do better was involve stud TE Mark Andrews. It’s not like Lamar’s favorite target underperformed for the first three games, but he didn’t always seem as integral to the attack as I thought he should be. Either way, he had a huge impact in Cleveland, especially when helping Baltimore extend an 18-point lead. The play is highlighted on the Pat McAfee show here:
Pat McAfee, A.J. Hawk and crew gush over Ravens on the @PatMcAfeeShow pic.twitter.com/JeU5stjixs
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) October 3, 2023
It was a ridiculous pitch and catch, so it’s no wonder it was the league’s most improbable catch of the week.
Lamar Jackson's 7-yard touchdown pass to Mark Andrews was the NFL's most improbable completion of Week 4.
Catch all the numbers behind @Lj_era8's most improbable completions from the @Ravens' 28-3 win over the Browns! 📽️#BALvsCLE | #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/zSIBDQQn78
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) October 3, 2023
Sunday’s defensive performance might leave many feeling the unit needs little help, but that sentiment wasn’t totally shared by GM Eric DeCosta, who brought in CB Tre Swilling on Tuesday.
The #Ravens are signing CB Tre Swilling to their practice squad, per his agents @davidcanter @nessmugrabi @iangrutman. The son of NFL legend Pat Swilling played in 2 games for San Francisco this season.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 3, 2023
The former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket isn’t the most experienced, but has a history with next week’s opponent George Pickens. Judging from the clip below, I wouldn’t mind seeing the two going at it this week:
New Ravens CB Tre Swilling vs. Steelers WR George Pickens in college💥 🥊pic.twitter.com/FDUMbqI1Fb
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) October 3, 2023
It’s always a physical battle in Pittsburgh, and the rivalry has actually been one that the Ravens have struggled in of late. Jackson has not looked particularly strong, while the Steelers have had a few late game pushes to win at the wire. All the same, there’s a lot going differently this year.
The Steelers have looked abysmal on offense, with many calling for OC Matt Canada’s job. This week, they’ll be without starting QB Kenny Pickett, who will be replaced by Mitch Trubisky.
Now with Trubisky possibly set to start you see…”this will be the 3rd straight backup the Ravens get to face”. Why? To discredit us of course. Ohh well! No one gave a damn when Lamar was out. No one cares about all our injuries either. We shall fly under the radar once again!
— Spencer Alexander (@SpencerAlexan10) October 3, 2023
In some ways, I’d rather play the struggling Pickett, but the Ravens should be able to pull a win out behind star DC Mike Macdonald:
The Ravens cheering for Mike Macdonald with a Finding Nemo reference😂 pic.twitter.com/0sofngIh0s
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) October 3, 2023
Despite a number of injuries in the secondary, Macdonald’s unit has played incredibly well, and there’s a few guys worth shouting out. First, Jadeveon Clowney continues to deserve his flowers:
Jadeveon Clowney is on a record-breaking pace this season 🤯
🧪 @PFF_Gordon pic.twitter.com/ZRW3zeauSz
— PFF BAL Ravens (@PFF_Ravens) October 3, 2023
The veteran was always going to be a value add given his contract, but I don’t think many saw this impact coming.
Similarly, Roquan Smith has gotten recognition, but I’m not sure it’s been enough. The linebacker is not only playing out of his mind himself, but continues to bring Patrick Queen’s up a notch:
Roquan Smith in coverage as the primary target this season:
16 targets
11 receptions allowed
65 yards allowed
6 stops
3 forced incompletions
85.6 PFF coverage grade (1st among Ravens players)— PFF BAL Ravens (@PFF_Ravens) October 3, 2023
Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen through the first four games:
79 tackles
3.5 sacks
7 TFL's
4 PD'sOn pace for. . . 336 tackles – 15 sacks – 30 TFL's – 17 PD's
Birds of prey pic.twitter.com/8x7ChKDope
— Spencer Schultz (@ravens4dummies) October 3, 2023
Last and certainly not least, how about Brandon Stephens? With perhaps the play of the day last week he had a bit of a breakout, but Stephens is such a valuable player for the Ravens. His versatility was always a positive, but it seems he’s really putting it together this season:
Most coverage snaps without allowing a TD among all CBs:
Brandon Stephens – 189
| @Ravens | pic.twitter.com/3gl8pkgXjF
— PFF BAL Ravens (@PFF_Ravens) October 3, 2023
In a rivalry matchup entirely dominated by defense, look out for those three on Sunday afternoon. It’s going to be fun!
The best rivalry in all of sports returns this Sunday😈 #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/ako2QbbzBS
— 𝙕𝙖𝙘𝙝🦦® (@NewEraZach) October 3, 2023
