Owners of a 3-1 mark, with a 2-0 record in the division, the Ravens are kind of sitting pretty right now.
In fact, if they can walk away from Pittsburgh with a win this Sunday, you could officially consider them sitting in the catbird seat. That would be three division wins, all on the road, while each of the other teams in the division have a minimum of two losses on the season, and are behind the Ravens in just about every tie-breaking scenario. In the immortal words of Mel Brooks, “It’s good to be the kind.”
Of course, if Ravens’ fans know one stone-cold fact, it’s that injuries can, and have, determined how these divisional races play out. On that front, despite seemingly losing a roster’s-worth of players each week this season, the Ravens appear to be getting healthier.
Ravens injury report – Wednesday
DID NOT PRACTICE
OT Morgan Moses
OLB Odafe Oweh
S Daryl WorleyLIMITED
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
CB Marlon Humphrey
RB Justice HillFULL
WR Rashod Bateman
OT Ronnie Stanley
S Marcus Williams
RB Keaton Mitchell— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 4, 2023
Having Rashod Bateman and Ronnie Stanley practice fully heading into Steelers week is a good sign, as having answers against the Pittsburgh pass-rush, both in terms of blocking and targets who can separate quickly, is a huge part of solving their puzzle.
Getting back Marcus Williams would allow that Ravens defense to take advantage of the hybrid skill-set of Kyle Hamilton even more. Williams and Geno Stone can play the top of that umbrella very well, which is a good thing to have facing off the contested-catch skills of George Pickens. And Hamilton can wreak havoc against the Steelers’ run game and possibly crater the pocket off the edge like he was able to do against the Colts.
While the Steelers-Ravens rivalry appears to have lost some of its luster nationally (see a 1 p.m. kickoff), it appears that the players still recognize it for what it is.
#Ravens QB Lamar Jackson on playing the Steelers: “Out of the Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals, this one is like, the atmosphere is different. It’s more intense, more aggressive.” pic.twitter.com/y4gBaGa7RN
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 4, 2023
It sounds trite, but throw away the records when these teams play. Both franchises like to play gritty, hard-nosed styles that often lead to close games. They’re both experts at “muddying up the waters” and throwing opposing teams off their games.
While many Ravens fans will be watching this one Sunday with an eye on the Orioles playoff game starting right after, don’t be surprised if you miss the first inning because you’re engrossed in a tight game.
It happens nearly every time these two foes square off, doesn’t it?
The Steelers are oddly ranked in the middle of the pack on defense this season — PFF has them as the 18th-ranked unit, they are 15th in Defensive DVOA, they are allowing 4.7 yards per carry (tied for fourth-worst in the NFL) and they are giving up 7.1 yards per pass (ranked sixth-worst in the league). Much of the attention this season has been placed on the offensive woes by the Steelers, but the defense has been surprisingly generous, as well.
Enter the Bus.
.@GodsGiftGus13 joins The Lounge to talk about Baltimore's run game, why he feels this will be a career year and much more!
🎧: https://t.co/phHaPUz0dT pic.twitter.com/6XPOvLbH22
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 5, 2023
A hungry and healthy Bus is a good Bus.
Also of note around the Twitterverse:
.@obj back on the practice field ‼️ pic.twitter.com/M9u2ihqb9D
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 4, 2023
"This was my No. 1 choice. You always want a chance to play and a chance to win. I get a chance to compete with a really good team." @KVN_03 https://t.co/yJYCHrocW3
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 4, 2023
About a quarter of the way into the season, @SethWalder has a new prediction for the Ravens:
Tyler Linderbaum will be named to his first Pro Bowl.
Here are the rest of his predictions:https://t.co/V2DtHdhg2Y
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 4, 2023
What's different for Lamar Jackson in Todd Monken's offense?
Getting rid of ball quicker.
Jackson's average time before throwing was 3.0 seconds last season, which ranked 31st in the NFL.
Now, he's averaging 2.66 seconds, 9th-fastest pace in the league.https://t.co/5LZZdhDotA
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 4, 2023
