In the grand scheme of things, Sunday’s game might not have had huge stakes for where the Ravens can eventually end up this season, but it sure felt like a lot rested on the outcome. They were able to put together what was an incredibly exciting comeback performance…
Anyone else’s EKG look like this right now? https://t.co/e574e5CVgc pic.twitter.com/WTZNrMp9bW
— KMack Sports (@KMackSports) October 6, 2024
…to avoid sitting at 2-3 with a loss in their first divisional game. When it looked like a win was out of reach, things felt pretty bleak as we looked forward. Fortunately, the guys delivered on the plays when they had to have it, and in the process, a few players who had caught a lot of flak got to enjoy some time in the sun. Here’s out chance to recognize those guys and give them the props they deserve.
Justin Tucker
The discourse around Justin Tucker to this point in the season has been wild to me. Yes, it had been an uncharacteristically rough start for him…
Justin Tucker delivers a 56-yard field goal to tie the game at 38 with 1:35 left in the game.
Since the start of last season, Tucker had been 1-of-7 on attempts longer than 50 yards. But, with the game on the line, Tucker puts it through the uprights.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 6, 2024
…but if you’d just been following from around NFL social media, you would swear that Tuck’s leg had fallen off the face of the earth. Justin Tucker’s complete profile of work places him in the pantheon of the greatest kickers in the history of the game. Not only does he own the record for the longest field goal in the history of the sport, he’s also the highest individual scorer in the history of the franchise. He has the highest field goal percentage of any kicker ever. To mark him washed after a four-game start with struggles from beyond 50 yards shows stark recency bias, even for the goldfish-brained memories of the 24-hour NFL news cycle.
Kicking from beyond 50 yards is no joke. I remember a time in NFL history that a 50+ yarder was basically a crapshoot, and we’re lucky enough to have a kicker who made them so regularly that they seemed like a cakewalk. Now that he’s showing signs of being human, a lot of people were quick to bury him, and I’m so glad he got the chance to enjoy two great moments on Sunday, one for the tie, and one for the win.
JUSTIN TUCKER TIES IT WITH 1:35 LEFT.
WHAT A GAME.
📺: #BALvsCIN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/LTxhpdAGjN— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024
JUSTIN TUCKER FOR THE WIN.
RAVENS TOP THE BENGALS 41-38 IN OT.
📺: #BALvsCIN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/CKwZz25eY7— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024
I have a feeling that only Justin Tucker knows what the source of the struggles is, and he’s not telling. It could just be wear and tear over the course of years, or maybe it’s the amount of prep work that he had to commit in the offseason to the modified kickoff rules. Whatever the case, you can see the relief from JT as he talked about it after the game, and I’m hoping that getting the monkey off his back will be the catalyst for getting back to normal.
Justin Tucker on today's performance:
"You either have the choice to rise to the occasion or to fold up like a cheap suit, and I didn't wanna do that. … Being able to come through like that is particularly satisfying given that I've let a couple get away."
via @Ravens pic.twitter.com/M31BBhMAjq
— Bobby Trosset (@bobbybaltim0re) October 7, 2024
Harbs on @jtuck9’s reaction to his 56-yard kick: pic.twitter.com/BiNF6Fx5DC
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 7, 2024
Rashod Bateman
Since his arrival in Baltimore, Rashod Bateman has faced tons of scrutiny. Some of what he’s dealt with has been as a result of the woes that preceded him in Baltimore with highly-drafted receivers, but his health and a perceived lack of cohesion with Lamar Jackson hasn’t helped matters. I’ll admit, having analyzed his college film pre-draft, my expectations were sky-high, and I firmly believe we still haven’t seen the best of what Bate can do.
All of that having been said, he’s had to listen to tons of criticism, and Sunday’s win had to feel good for him.
Sheeeesh @R_bateman2 🔥
Tune in on CBS! pic.twitter.com/UZY2m6aM28
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 6, 2024
BATE SIGNAL ACTIVATED 🚨
TOUCHDOWN, @R_bateman2❗
Tune in on CBS! pic.twitter.com/KTEAt1X3Hh
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 6, 2024
Imo Bateman is an elite separator because he does his work early. His release package has always been elite if the CB is in trail he’s at the mercy of the WR. On time throw and it pays off pic.twitter.com/QswLaMZfHK
— Dolph (@zzGodSpeed) October 7, 2024
His stat line isn’t going to jump out to you much (4 catches, 58 yards, 1 TD), but Bate made plays when the Ravens had to have them, and he deserves credit for coming up in big spots.
Tavius Robinson
Tavius Robinson’s circumstance is a little bit different, because I don’t hear a lot of people coming after him for bad performances, but it’s more about Tavius getting his chance to shine with limited opportunities. Being a second-year guy, Robinson has several viable players ahead of him on the depth chart, including established veterans and guys like Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo who are still trying to reach their best. I got the chance to ask Coach Chuck Smith about Robinson’s development in the offseason, and he gave a great answer that shows the hope they have for his potential.
“I can’t say enough about @taviusrobinson.” Coach Smith pic.twitter.com/g3MciCLFgK
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 12, 2024
On Sunday, even with only 24 snaps on the day, Robinson made the most of them, including a drive-killing sack.
.@Taviusrobinson SACK 😤
Back in action Sunday at 1 p.m. on CBS! pic.twitter.com/GFC4F0bc12
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 7, 2024
It’s great to see Tavius coming into his own, especially given that there were some questions about him being a bit of a project coming into the league, but the optimistic part of his emergence for me is looking beyond this year. The big-time veteran EDGEs have shown up a few years in a row for the defense in guys like Justin Houston, Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy, but seeing a young EDGE develop in-house makes you feel great for the future.
We never know how much these moments can mean for the individual players, but with the emotional weight of the season so far, I can take a guess. Here’s hoping that morale boost can help the guys keep this win streak rolling.
One Response
Ok, the only compliment I’m gonna pay Bateman is this; when I looked at his footwork on his routes, I said wow, this guy runs routes like Jerry Rice.
He needs to stay healthy for me to get on board. Because if he’s not available he’s not doing himself or us any good. I hope he continues to have a good healthy season. I’m not even worried about stats for him right now, I just want him to complete one full season healthy.