With the Ravens aiming to get back on track in a Week 11 meeting with Chicago on Sunday, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. The MVP race remains wide open, but Lamar Jackson has averaged 6.5 yards per pass attempt and thrown five interceptions in four games since his magical comeback against Indianapolis. He must improve his 52.2 passer rating and 5.7 yards per pass attempt on third down to stay in that race.
2. Though Jackson missing practices with a non-COVID illness typically wouldn’t be a big deal, Baltimore is coming off its worst offensive performance in a few years. That’s not to say Jackson and the Ravens won’t be ready, but him being out there helps their mojo, if nothing else.
3. Baltimore could welcome back Patrick Mekari, Latavius Murray, and Nick Boyle on Sunday, but the Bears didn’t appear to benefit too much from their bye with the availability of Khalil Mack, Allen Robinson, and Akiem Hicks still in doubt. Chicago isn’t talented enough to overcome such absences multiple weeks.
4. Adjusting against Cover 0 blitzes and simulated pressures was a popular topic this week after Miami overwhelmed the Ravens, but the Bears own the league’s second-lowest blitz rate compared to the Dolphins’ second highest, per Pro Football Reference. Baltimore still must be prepared for blitzes, especially if Mack doesn’t play.
5. Chicago ranks 32nd with 20 completions of 20 or more yards while Baltimore has given up 40, third most in the league. Per Sharp Football, the Bears have a league-low one offensive touchdown from outside the red zone while the Ravens have surrendered a league-worst 12. Something has to give.
6. Despite those numbers, Justin Fields is showing growth and coming off the most impressive game of his young career as he threw for 291 yards and averaged just over 10 yards per pass attempt at Pittsburgh. His average depth of target is right behind Jackson, according to Next Gen Stats.
7. Fields has also thrown at least one interception in four straight games. If the Baltimore defense can’t coax the rookie into making a couple mistakes, you wonder when the takeaways are going to come. The Ravens haven’t forced a turnover since Week 7 or multiple turnovers since Week 2.
8. Though his thigh injury will be monitored entering the weekend, Marquise Brown is facing a defense ranking last in the league in efficiency against No. 1 wide receivers, per Football Outsiders. If the offensive line can give Jackson sufficient time in the pocket, Brown could have a huge day.
9. Wink Martindale says Justin Ellis has played like “a stud” in place of Brandon Williams, and the defense — other problems aside — hasn’t appeared to miss the 32-year-old run-stopping nose tackle these last two games. You’d like Williams to return from a shoulder injury sooner than later, of course.
10. Speaking of the defensive line, Baltimore couldn’t be more fortunate to have Calais Campbell with Williams having missed three games and Derek Wolfe lost for the season. The Ravens downplaying sacks has become white noise, but it’s fitting for Campbell, who’s been outstanding despite only registering a half-sack.
11. Jackson’s 12-0 record against the NFC being the second-longest streak of interconference wins to start a career ranks high on the list of arbitrary stats, especially with Bobby Hebert of all quarterbacks owning the record. Jackson’s 25-2 mark when starting against a team for the first time is more impressive.
12. You anticipate cold temperatures and wind at Soldier Field in November, but these teams played a game eight years ago that was delayed in the first quarter for nearly two hours because of heavy rain, extreme wind, and tornado warnings. You wouldn’t have believed it was a noon kickoff locally.
