With the Ravens aiming to come out of the bye week on a winning note in Sunday’s game against Minnesota, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. It’s no secret that Mike Zimmer is on the hot seat with the Vikings fitting the description of doing less with more as much as any team in the NFL at 3-4. The talent’s there for Minnesota to compete with anybody, but good teams find ways to win close games.
2. Sammy Watkins resumed practicing, but Baltimore hasn’t come out of the bye as healthy as hoped. In addition to Derek Wolfe’s expected absence, Brandon Williams not being healthy is concerning for a front that hasn’t faced much zone run-blocking this season. Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison are a formidable duo.
3. The Minnesota defense ranks fourth in Football Outsiders’ efficiency metric despite unimpressive yardage numbers and a No. 12 ranking in points allowed per game. The recent losses of top cornerback Patrick Peterson and star edge rusher Danielle Hunter really hurt moving forward, however.
4. Week 8 brought the latest prime-time loss for Kirk Cousins, who is otherwise having a strong season by multiple statistical measures. Pressuring him is critical as he averages 8.7 yards per pass attempt when kept clean and a disastrous 3.5 yards per attempt when under pressure, per Pro Football Focus.
5. The Vikings surrender 4.6 yards per carry and rank just 20th in run defense efficiency, which should help a ground game searching for more production from its tailbacks. With the calendar turning to November, the Ravens need to show they’ll be equipped for the harsher weather ahead.
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6. Lamar Jackson has been sacked 21 times, a pace that would shatter his career high of 29 last season. The offensive line does have its issues, but Jackson is holding the ball longer and pushing it downfield more than ever. Though you’d prefer fewer sacks, John Harbaugh offered appropriate perspective.
7. The Minnesota receiver duo of Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen is as strong as any in the league, so the secondary needs to have a short memory after stewing over the Cincinnati performance over the bye. DeShon Elliott said, “It’s over with. We expect better.” And the Ravens need better.
8. According to Pro Football Reference, Baltimore has allowed the most yards after the catch in the NFL with the next five teams behind them all having played eight games. Wink Martindale said, “If we get this defense tackling, watch out.” Sounds good, but it’s an enormous part of the game.
9. You want to start fast after the layoff, but the Ravens have scored on their opening drive only once all season while the Vikings have scored on their first drive in six straight games. Then again, Minnesota managed three measly field goals after that opening touchdown against Dallas last Sunday.
10. These teams last played in 2017 when current Raven Latavius Murray rushed for 113 yards for the Vikings in their 24-16 win. However, only two teams — Kansas City in 2018 and Tennessee in the 2019 postseason — have won their first game against Jackson as the starting quarterback.
11. With the Vikings losing four games by a combined 15 points, it’s worth noting they rank 30th in special teams efficiency with their field goal, punt, and punt return teams being particularly weak. Meanwhile, the Ravens have three one-score victories and rank first in special teams efficiency. It does matter.
812. I cherished the stories about the wristband and Colts “quarterback” Tom Matte, whom my generation will remember as a broadcast voice of the CFL Stallions and then the Ravens. He was a treasure and an invaluable bridge linking Baltimore’s football past to its future. He’ll certainly be missed.
