With the Ravens assessing a 5-2 start to the 2021 season in the midst of their Week 8 bye, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. In evaluating this team, I’m throwing out the ugly loss to Cincinnati and the blowout Chargers win, which leaves a 4-1 team that overcame real problems that were magnified against the Bengals. Every AFC contender has flaws. How each overcomes them — or not — will define the rest of the season.
2. Multiple outlets agree Baltimore played a relatively forgiving early schedule, especially considering Kansas City’s unexpected struggles. But business will really pick up after Thanksgiving with each of the final seven games coming against teams .500 or better. The Ravens need to come out strong after the bye.
3. With Lamar Jackson averaging a career-high 8.6 yards per attempt and 13.3 yards per completion, it’s no surprise he’s throwing seven more passes per game. His rushing attempts slightly increasing from last year is unsettling, however. Baltimore has to find a way to ease the burden on Jackson a bit.
4. The brutal collection of injuries can explain their other inefficiencies, but that’s no excuse for a Ravens defense to continue tackling as poorly as it has with both talented youngsters and established veterans guilty. As John Harbaugh said, “Until we get that fixed, we’ll be a very mediocre defense.” Yup.
5. Though Marcus Peters would never be confused for Ray Lewis as a tackler, this secondary misses his alpha-male personality and football intellect as much as his dynamic takeaway ability. We’ve seen too many mistakes from the rest of a secondary that’s supposed to be one of the Ravens’ greatest strengths.
6. We’ll continue debating what’s plaguing a running game that’s too reliant on Jackson’s legs, but I’d be surprised if we don’t see some sort of shakeup at running back. Whether that’s a trade acquisition or simply promoting Nate McCrary, you can’t keep giving so many touches to veterans lacking explosiveness.
7. Despite there being too much hype surrounding Justin Madubuike entering the season, I still thought we’d see more from the second-year defensive tackle, especially with Derek Wolfe missing the first two months with a back injury. Madubuike hasn’t been bad, but he hasn’t been a difference maker either.
8. For all the talk about Jackson’s career high in yards per completion, the Ravens’ yards after catch per reception (4.8) is nearly identical to last year’s average (4.9). It truly is all about the star quarterback pushing the ball downfield more than ever.
9. Though the offense has clearly outperformed the defense through the first seven games, the Ravens rank an unimpressive 24th in third-down offense and a surprising fourth in third-down defense. An uneven ground game has created too many third-and-longs while the defense is maddeningly inconsistent giving up the big plays.
10. A methodical pace makes sense with a historic rushing attack, but I’d still like to see the Ravens use more no-huddle offense and a quicker tempo to try to help the offensive line. Baltimore has picked up the pace compared to last year, but there’s potential to go even faster.
11. I’ve discussed the inside linebackers extensively, but Baltimore has activated five while going with just four defensive linemen and four outside linebackers for the last two games. That’s risky, which is why Patrick Queen needs to play on special teams if he’s not going to be an every-down linebacker.
12. If nothing else, the start to the season reinforces the need for the Ravens to attack the trenches in the 2022 draft. The defensive line is aging and expensive while the offensive line must consider Bradley Bozeman’s expiring contract as well as whether Ronnie Stanley will regain his pre-injury form.
