With the Ravens seeking a fifth straight win in their return home to take on the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. Lamar Jackson hasn’t rushed for 50 yards in a game since the opener and was asked if that’s what’s missing. “Not really because we have great running backs.” That’s fine with him less than 100% now, but it’s tough picturing Baltimore getting where it ultimately wants to go without that.
2. Asked about already taking as many sacks as he did all last season, Jackson quipped, “Damn, I have to talk to the offensive line about that. I’m going to holler at my guys about that.” His tone was playful, but what’s the saying about there being truth in every joke?
3. Much like how Minnesota and Cleveland played the Ravens, the Jets defense likes to blitz and play man coverage at high rates, per Sharp Football. The difference is New York being ineffective doing so even before trading Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. Still, this offensive line needs to be ready.
4. Tyrod Taylor played little as Joe Flacco’s backup more than a decade ago, but there was a 2013 meeting with the Jets in which Taylor played some Wildcat quarterback and Flacco called it “a high school offense.” Who would have guessed those two would be starting games 12 years later?
5. Taylor should give the Jets more passing ability even without top wide receiver Garrett Wilson, but Baltimore needs to be ready for the legs of Justin Fields being sprinkled into New York’s offensive plans. The Jets have nothing to lose, so why wouldn’t you get creative?
6. Last Sunday was arguably as consistent as Baltimore’s ground game has looked since the opener against Buffalo. The Jets rank 20th in yards per carry allowed and 14th in run defense DVOA, so you’d really like to see the Ravens build on what they did against the Browns.
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7. Kyle Hamilton disappeared as Baltimore’s secondary moved into individual work during Thursday’s practice. He was instead working with the linebacker group. Asked about managing Hamilton’s versatility, Zach Orr said, “I’m just like, ‘Hey Kyle, can you handle this?’ And he says, ‘Yes, I’m good.’ That’s all I need to hear.”
8. Brandon Stephens didn’t have a good contract year, but PFF has graded him 13th among qualified cornerbacks for the Jets this season. Second contract or not, a late third-round pick developing into a starting-caliber player amidst multiple position changes is a success. John Harbaugh said, “I’m very proud of him.”
9. While the Ravens have rebounded from their early-season takeaway woes, the Jets approach Thanksgiving still searching for their first interception of 2025. Just looking at how Jackson’s interceptions occurred last week as one example, how is this possible? Of course, much has to go wrong to be 2-8.
10. Marlon Humphrey returns as Keyon Martin is sidelined with a rib injury, which will take care of the slot corner spot in the dime defense. However, considering the way Chidobe Awuzie is playing outside, you wonder if Orr will limit Humphrey to try to protect that surgically-repaired finger another week.
11. With Jackson dealing with multiple leg issues recently and other stars banged up this week, the Ravens would sure love to be in position to rest some starters late in the game with a Thursday turnaround looming. Perhaps returning to M&T Bank Stadium will spark that elusive fast start.
12. Win the games you’re supposed to win. Buffalo has dropped multiple games a true Super Bowl contender should win and Kansas City is 5-5. Despite starting 1-5, the Ravens hosting the Bills or Chiefs in the wild-card round looks very possible now. But only if Baltimore continues handling its business.
Prediction: We saw the recipe for an upset last week with the Ravens committing three turnovers and a backbreaking special-teams penalty that led to 13 of Cleveland’s 16 points, but Harbaugh’s team rallied to stave off an upset in Cleveland. The difference this week is the Jets lacking a top-shelf defense that’s only gotten worse with its two best players being dealt at the trade deadline. While Taylor should raise the floor for New York’s passing game and Breece Hall appears well on his way to his first 1,000-yard rushing season, the Ravens have no business losing to this Jets team that looks like the schedule’s final layup on paper, especially with Joe Burrow’s Thanksgiving return for the Bengals looking more and more likely. Baltimore wins 30-10 to move above .500 for the first time all season.
