The third quarter transformed what had been a weird first half into a clear vision for the Ravens in their 28-6 win over Miami on Thursday night.
In case anyone had forgotten, they always have a chance with a healthy Lamar Jackson, who threw four touchdown passes in his first game in more than a month. The sensational two-time MVP quarterback didn’t run much in his return from a hamstring injury, but his 13-yard scramble on third-and-7 to open the second half was the game’s turning point. Not only did it prevent what would have been Baltimore’s fourth consecutive three-and-out, but the run sparked the Ravens to back-to-back touchdown drives that turned a one-score game into a laugher.
Sandwiched between those scores was an improving defense forcing a Miami three-and-out after a first half that included plenty of bending between the 20s countered by key plays in high-leverage situations. The mistake-prone Dolphins certainly showed why they’re 2-7 and already on their way to wholesale changes, but holding any opponent to 0-for-3 inside the red zone and 2-for-12 on third down while forcing three turnovers is saying something when so many were ready to fire defensive coordinator Zach Orr just a couple weeks ago.
With two wins in five days to transform a nightmare 1-5 start into a 3-5 team with good vibes and a clear path to playoff contention with the next four games coming against opponents under .500, the Ravens certainly announced to the rest of the AFC that they’re alive and well. Now, general manager Eric DeCosta is on the clock to determine how serious a contender Baltimore can be with the trade deadline looming at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Given the overall mediocrity of the AFC North, it isn’t difficult picturing John Harbaugh’s team winning the division and qualifying for the playoffs for the seventh time in eight years with relatively good health the rest of the way. But that’s not the ultimate goal for this organization, and their flaws threaten designs of winning multiple games in January and getting to a Super Bowl.
The offensive line remains one of the shakiest pass-protection units in the NFL, according to multiple public rankings, and Thursday’s final rushing numbers didn’t reflect just how much difficulty the group continued to have opening running lanes for Derrick Henry until late in the third quarter when the Dolphins trailed by three scores and had already all but quit.
Many playoff contenders would like to improve their offensive lines, of course, but is there an upgrade to be made such as rescuing ex-Raven Kevin Zeitler — whom Pro Football Focus grades better in his age-35 season than Daniel Faalele and Andrew Vorhees — from the woeful Tennessee Titans?
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The early-October acquisition of safety Alohi Gilman has raised the floor of a defense that’s played markedly better since moving Kyle Hamilton closer to the line of scrimmage and pivoting to extensive three-safety looks. But that also required trading Odafe Oweh and further weakening an outside linebacker group that was already struggling to pressure the quarterback. The defensive line also remains dangerously short on depth and impact after the loss of two-time Pro Bowl selection Nnamdi Madubuike and starter Broderick Washington to long-term injuries.
The Ravens figure to add veteran Carl Lawson from the practice squad to the outside linebacker mix as early as next week and still hope to see more from talented second-round rookie Mike Green as the season continues. But making at least one impact addition at outside linebacker or on the defensive line feels like a must if the Ravens don’t want to be picked apart by high-quality quarterbacks and offenses in December and January like they were in September and early October.
Might the Ravens even look at Miami’s front seven for possible help?
The truth is this past offseason wasn’t a particularly strong one for DeCosta, who mostly tried to run it back with a roster that was a win away from the AFC title game last January. Two of his most notable offseason signings — quarterback Cooper Rush and cornerback Jaire Alexander — have been a waste of $8 million to this point as the former lost his backup job to Tyler Huntley after two poor starts in Jackson’s place and Alexander has played in just two games despite being healthy since Week 2. Both lines and outside linebacker were position groups of discussion in the offseason with little being done to address them beyond a few Day 2 and 3 draft picks.
With just over $14 million in salary cap space and plenty of capital in next year’s draft, DeCosta still has every chance to make amends and help the 2025 Ravens’ chances the rest of the way. The addition of Gilman was a good start, but more is required if we’re to view Baltimore as much more than the favorite to win a weak division.
Jackson’s return instantly put the Ravens on better footing and in a better state of mind on Thursday night, but their deficiencies are too clear not to address in some meaningful way over the next few days.
