OTL: Play Sheet in Drawers = Coach in his Bag

We have an exciting Sunday on the horizon, Ravens fans. This is easily the best the Commanders have felt in at least ten years, and they are going to march high and mighty into the Bank.

For the first time in a while, we, as fans, must take the Commanders seriously. This game won’t be a walk in the park, and the Ravens will need to be as close to full strength as possible and on their games.

On that front, there was some positive movement at practice yesterday.

LT Ronnie Stanley (toe), WR Rashod Bateman (groin) and CB Marlon Humphrey (ankle) all returned to practice today.
Only three Ravens who were missing: LB Malik Harrison (groin), OL Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, DT Broderick Washington (knee).
Maulet also still not practicing.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) October 10, 2024

John Harbaugh, earlier in the week, described the injuries as typical post-game bumps and bruises. In most cases, it seems that he wasn’t just blowing smoke this time at least.

One of the things that will help the Ravens on Sunday and going forward is just how versatile they can be on offense.

Todd Monken: “in order to be elite, you have to be versatile enough to win games in a variety of modes and methods.” pic.twitter.com/0iaAYg7X9W

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) October 10, 2024

After the Bills and Cowboys games, many fans and personalities said that the Ravens’ identity is running the ball and returning to a Greg Roman-style offense. However, last week showed just how different Todd Monken is from Roman. The Ravens do not win that game in Cincy without Monken’s modern understanding of a passing offense. Yes, they have the run game when they need it, but when it gets clogged up, they have a passing game that works, and they can crank it up for shootouts if necessary.

Now, proper balance is getting both the run and pass working simultaneously, but the reality is that it isn’t realistic to be hitting on all cylinders every week. The other team gets paid too.

That’s why versatility is vital: opponents don’t know which version of the Ravens will show up. Teams have to pick one component of the Ravens to try to stop: either be like Cincy and focus on Derrick Henry, and get diced up when Lamar Jackson enters MVP mode, or try to stop Lamar and watch Henry destroy their hopes and dreams.

If they can truly win by passing OR running, that’s a scary proposition for NFL defenses. Also scary for those squads? When Uncle Todd has his play sheet in his pants. He started doing it a few weeks ago, and as our Cole Jackson and others have noticed, good things have been happening since.

BREAKING NEWS: The Louvre has recently released a new exhibit called "The Todd"

Jackson 5 incoming.#RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/xouCQUfmz4

— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) October 10, 2024

Moving on from Monken, one of the most underrated aspects of last week’s game was Justin Tucker hitting the 56-yard field goal:

Chris Horton on Justin Tucker’s long game-tying FG: “He smashed that ball. That’s the guy we know.”

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) October 10, 2024

Tucker’s confidence being back is huge; we need the GOAT version of him. The numbers don’t lie. He has been very unreliable from 50-plus these last couple of years, and that’s a big disadvantage in today’s game.

Tucker drilled that kick like he was in his prime.

Last Sunday was a huge step forward. Now, he just has to build on it.

This is the most anticipated match-up so far this season, with the Commanders and Jayden Daniels coming in hot. All eyes will be on M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday. Here’s hoping for a repeat of the last home game, the crushing of Buffalo.