Good Morning #RavensFlock, and a happy Victory Purple Friday to you! I’m filling in for Jared today, as he had the pleasure of being in attendance at M&T Bank Stadium last night for the Ravens’ 34-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Which is, of course, the topic of the day, so let’s get right to it.
First off, the bad news. Mark Andrews was tackled by human-injuring-machine Logan Wilson on the Ravens’ opening drive, and went down writhing in pain. Though he walked (limped) off under his own power, he didn’t return and after the game, Coach Harbaugh revealed that his injury is *probably* season-ending. That’s a total bummer, and his teammates were visibly upset as he laid there on the turf. After the game, they expressed their feelings.
Isaiah Likely said he will dedicate the rest of the season to Andrews. The second-year TE now becomes a big piece for the Ravens going forward.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) November 17, 2023
.@Lj_era8 on @Mandrews_81: pic.twitter.com/QjQsAo4a3v
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 17, 2023
Andrews will certainly be missed in the offense. Later in the game, it looked as though backup Charlie Kolar wasn’t aware he was supposed to be the hot read on a Bengals blitz. We’ll keep an eye on Kolar and Isaiah Likely having increased roles, but the Ravens wideouts will have more on their plates as well.
The good news? Those wideouts appear to be hitting on all cylinders the way we’ve rarely, if ever, seen from a WR corps in Baltimore.
the ravens receivers have been the best players on the field tonight
— Steven Ruiz (@theStevenRuiz) November 17, 2023
.@Ravens @Lj_era8 @obj is getting healthier and his speed and quickness is returning and with that this offense is ready to explode #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/3FInMrsm3m
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 17, 2023
Odell Beckham eclipsed the century mark before exiting the game after being tackled hard by, of course, Wilson. The news on OBJ appeared to be positive, fortunately.
Let’s now to to the Ravens’ “Dub Cam.”
Good morning to the Flock and the Flock only 😈 pic.twitter.com/QDMpZAnOoj
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 17, 2023
First off: very fun. Secondly, stay until the end. Patrick Queen says that Roquan Smith isn’t in a good mood, and Smith immediately, with fire in his eyes, reminds Queen that “WE DIDN’T FINISH THE WAY WE NEEDED TO FINISH” before ending with a smirk and a “Bye Cincinnati.” Smith was obviously upset that the defense allowed a garbage-time touchdown after having the opportunity to get off the field on fourth down earlier in the drive.
Roquan Smith stays, to quote Ray Lewis, “pissed off for greatness,” and you just love to see it. Something else you love to see:
The Ro Effect remains undeniable.
Credit goes all around on the defense, of course, including to DC Mike MacDonald.
.@ravens defense keeps the QB guessing what the coverage is right up until the snap….Meanwhile the pass rush is coming from everywhere @clownejd #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/FDhRdtayTm
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 17, 2023
And to Kyle Hamilton.
Kyle Hamilton is obnoxiously good
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) November 17, 2023
And to Odafe Oweh.
Odafe Oweh now ranks 15th in PFF pass-rushing grade among edge defenders this season and 4th in pressure rate.
Macdonald's scheme, rightly, getting a lot of praise but the 2021 first round pick has also taken a huge step forward.
— Gordon McGuinness (@PFF_Gordon) November 17, 2023
And Justin Madubuike (Happy Birthday!) …
Justin Madubuike this season:
9.5 sacks
36 QB pressuresJustin Madubuike in his first three seasons combined:
8.5 sacks
54 QB pressures— PFF BAL Ravens (@PFF_Ravens) November 17, 2023
And now for a stat that’s always more fun after they, yanno, win the damn game:
The Ravens have trailed for a total of 32 minutes and 15 seconds this season.
Only the 1998 Broncos have trailed for less time through 11 games since the 1970 Merger.
That team would go on to win the Super Bowl.
h/t @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/5CeW7ZEoaN
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 17, 2023
The Ravens now have a much-needed mini-bye before playing the Chargers in LA next Sunday night. Then they get their ACTUAL bye week.
Let the rest, self-scouting, and stretch-run improvements begin!
As for our striped friends, they may be adding insult to injury…
The NFL is investigating why the Bengals did not list QB Joe Burrow on their injury report when the team posted a picture of him wearing a device on his wrist Wednesday night and he appeared to be hampered by the injury early in the Thursday night game that he later left, the… pic.twitter.com/xba8URiWri
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 17, 2023
Naughty naughty…
Enjoy your weekend of stress-free football, Ravens Flock. We’ve earned it.
