Coming out of a Week 12 win in Los Angeles, the Ravens have finally hit their BYE Week. It’s always a little slower in Charm City when the BYE comes, but it gives a great chance to reflect on the season.
While there have been ups, downs and inconsistencies (and some of each on Sunday night), the Ravens do stand at 9-3, atop the AFC North. For many, we would have taken that all day:
For all of who MIGHT have major concerns about being 9-3 at the break, I would just say, we weren’t thinking 9-3 back in March. We didn’t even know if the starting QB was playing this year. Then several dominos fell & this looks like a SB contender. Enjoy the top view. #Ravens pic.twitter.com/MH7OtMaAMi
— Dev Panchwagh (@devpanchwagh) November 28, 2023
Back in March, the Ravens had yet to lock up Lamar Jackson, had questions at WR, had clear holes at CB and the Offensive Line, and had uncertainty about whether their young pass rush would generate enough pressure. Since, we’ve seen players like Brandon Stephens step up, rookies like Zay Flowers make a quick adjustment to NFL life, and seen veteran signings like Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy bolster the NFL’s best rushing unit.
Altogether, Dev is right, the Ravens are a certain Super Bowl contender.
As a result, John Harbaugh gave his team a well-deserved week off. After 12 consecutive games, a trip across the pond and more recently across the country, I agree with the decision.
It seems the players did too:
When Harbs gives the team the week off… pandemonium 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/HQnqOSJuzR
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 28, 2023
As another piece of praise for the Head Coach, we have to give him credit for bringing in an elite coaching staff. Even the less-discussed positional coaches are making waves:
Credit to John Harbaugh and the Ravens. Bringing in Keith Williams and Chuck Smith, who both had more recently been private coaches, has enabled so much growth in those two rooms. https://t.co/JgmQkobKGI
— Spencer Schultz (@ravens4dummies) November 28, 2023
More specifically, the coordinators have done well. Todd Monken has raised some eyebrows at times, but Mike Macdonald in particular continues to impress. The evidence comes in the form of the pass rush, Kyle Hamilton’s development, and the ILB play. Starting with Hamilton, you’re hearing his name called a lot:
𝗞𝘆𝗹𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 2022:
🔹 62 total tackles
🔹 5 passes deflected
🔹 2 sacks
🔹 1 forced fumble𝗞𝘆𝗹𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 12 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 2023:
🔹 62 total tackles
🔹 9 passes deflected
🔹 3 sacks
🔹 2 interceptions
🔹 1 forced fumble pic.twitter.com/Mw5WLG1TSL— Ravens Nation LIVE (@LIVERavenNation) November 28, 2023
“Who’s the best safety in the NFL?” pic.twitter.com/80Gq8jlzDg
— The Ravens Realm (@RealmRavens) November 29, 2023
Similarly, it’s hard to ignore how well Patrick Queen and Roquan Smith are playing off each other:
NEVER SPLIT THEM UP. 👑 pic.twitter.com/RSn3yQC30U
— Ravens Nation LIVE (@LIVERavenNation) November 29, 2023
I understand that positional value indicates Queen should be walking this offseason, but I do see the argument for keeping these two together. If the Ravens are able to pull it off on a team-friendly deal, they’d have the league’s best LB duo (or close to it) for years.
Coming out of the BYE, though, Smith knows what the Ravens have to do – win out.
The Ravens control their own destiny. pic.twitter.com/yLBazJxQ31
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) November 28, 2023
The AFC playoff picture is tight for Wild Cards, but maintaining the top seed will be difficult in its own right. Kansas City has a fairly straightforward end to the season, but the Ravens don’t:
These are the Ravens’ five remaining games coming out of their bye week
How will they fare? How many wins? How many losses? pic.twitter.com/0BLfuAB7A2
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) November 28, 2023
I personally feel the Ravens will go 3-2 to finish the 2023 campaign, but I think they’ll need to go at least 4-1 to lock up home field advantage. How do you think things will shake out?
While you’re working through the remaining schedule, you’d be smart to get your Pro Bowl votes in, as well! There are a number of deserving Ravens:
It's time to vote your Ravens to the Pro Bowl❗
Voting counts ONLY at the link ➡️ https://t.co/59k3CMsXc0 pic.twitter.com/Fq2unJ6Aev
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 28, 2023
One Response
With healthy players and smart coaching, the Ravens go 5 – 0.