For today’s Out to Lunch, we’re checking in with an update after a pretty crazy BYE Week for the Ravens! Here’s where things stand now:
Checking back in after the bye 😎 pic.twitter.com/u6yNmhte9q
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 5, 2023
If you took a hiatus from the NFL over the last week, Baltimore had a number of results go their way this weekend, with Cincinnati being the only winner out of the AFC North (though even that helped Baltimore out). On top of it all, the Green Bay Packers upset Kansas City to give the Ravens a lead over many AFC front-runner.
Heck, even watching the Bengals win wasn’t all bad. I think we’ve all had the same thought at some point after Sunday Night Football wrapped:
Ravens fans watching the Bengals win but knowing a Jaguars loss helps them in the race for the No. 1 seed in the AFC pic.twitter.com/fpLejLVJVO
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) December 5, 2023
Without a doubt, the Ravens are sitting pretty heading into their Week 14 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. Because of that, many – including Stephen A. Smith – have the Ravens near the top of their NFL power rankings:
.@stephenasmith's top 5 NFL teams 👀
1️⃣ 49ers
2️⃣ Cowboys
3️⃣ Ravens
4️⃣ Eagles
5️⃣ Dolphins pic.twitter.com/T8YdUhJkar— First Take (@FirstTake) December 5, 2023
It can’t be all positive though, right? The problem is, the Ravens will face a number of Super Bowl contenders down the stretch this season. To clinch the top seed, they’ll have to exit the BYE playing tremendous football:
The Ravens will play six of the seven teams currently in playoff position before the season ends.
They won’t play the Chiefs or Bills.
It’s highly likely Baltimore’s first playoff game will be a rematch.
— Spencer Schultz (@ravens4dummies) December 5, 2023
One of those teams is the Miami Dolphins, who are fresh off trouncing a reeling Commanders team. As Cameron Wolfe writes, the matchup leading up to New Years Eve may end up being a season-defining game for both sides:
9-3 Miami Dolphins woke up this morning holding the AFC’s No.1 seed.
Dolphins and 9-3 Ravens control their own destiny for top seed because they play each other Week 17 — New Year’s Eve in Baltimore — in a mega game that could decide who gets a bye & home field advantage.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) December 5, 2023
Throw teams like Jacksonville and San Francisco into that mix and you’ve got one tough end to the year. But, there are a few reasons to be optimistic.
First, Baltimore has a quarterback having one of his best seasons in Lamar Jackson. It remains to be seen if Jackson will take home his second MVP award, but I don’t think anyone would bat an eye if he did:
Lamar Jackson enters Week 13 top five in completion percentage and yards per attempt. Not too shabby.
— Spencer Schultz (@ravens4dummies) December 5, 2023
𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧: Updated QB Power Rankings, via @KurtBenkert
(Recent play is factored into the rankings)
1. #Cowboys Dak Prescott
2. #Texans CJ Stroud
3. #49ers Brock purdy
4. #Dolphins Tua Tagovailoa
5. #Ravens Lamar Jackson
6. #Packers Jordan Love
7. #Chiefs Patrick Mahomes
8.… pic.twitter.com/89fwTqouQC— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) December 5, 2023
Second, Jackson is throwing to a budding receiving group. We’ve discussed Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham before, but Rashod Bateman deserves some credit, as well. After a shaky start to the year – and his career, to be fair – Bateman has impressed me of late. He’s creating separation, making tough catches when he doesn’t, and seems due for a breakout game:
Rashod Bateman has made some difficult catches in 2023, most notably his diving snag in front of Riq Woolen in the Ravens Wk 9 win over the Seahawks, and a leaping grab on a 3rd Down Slant against the Chargers. #Ravens #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/nCcejUALnT
— All 22 Films (@All_22_NFL_Cuts) December 5, 2023
Third, on top of a revamped passing attack, the Ravens have the league’s top running game. Boasting the Gus Bus was already fun, but adding the explosive UDFA Keaton Mitchell to the mix has taken things to the next level:
The Ravens Rushing Attack Leads the NFL In:
– Rush play percentage (51.55%)
– Rushing yards per game (160.3)
– Rushing touchdowns per game (1.9)
– Rushing touchdowns (22) pic.twitter.com/vryoIarMXS— Ravens Nation LIVE (@LIVERavenNation) December 5, 2023
Lastly, Baltimore may have the league’s best defense, as well. I will yet again mention the duo of Patrick Queen and Roquan Smith. The two have been game-wreckers all season, and they continue to get their flowers for it:
Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen This Season:
🔹 228 tackles
🔹 5 sacks
🔹 2 forced fumbles pic.twitter.com/jiktWLnvQX— Ravens Nation LIVE (@LIVERavenNation) December 5, 2023
The highest-graded Ravens defensive players this season 😤 pic.twitter.com/0OQ0IrB8BJ
— PFF BAL Ravens (@PFF_Ravens) December 5, 2023
As if that’s not enough to convince you of their impact, Smith is making a real one in his community, as well. Head Coach John Harbaugh announced that the ILB will be Baltimore’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nominee at practice on Tuesday:
Go inside the team huddle when Coach Harbaugh announced Ro would be our Walter Payton MOY nominee 💜#WPMOYChallenge Roquan Smith | @Nationwide pic.twitter.com/6P9Cr28CnY
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 5, 2023
For many, this is the most esteemed honor in the NFL. Congrats to Roquan!
One Response
Let’s hope the Ravens play their best because that’s what it’s going to take!