With the Ravens dropping their fourth straight game in a 41-21 blowout loss at Cincinnati on Sunday, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. Though Wink Martindale’s “gold jacket” comment was made in jest, observers will remember the 525-yard, four-touchdown performance if Joe Burrow winds up in Canton one day. The Bengals continue to chase consistency, but that’s a scary quarterback and collection of weapons for any defense to combat.
2. The late-game trio of Kevon Seymour, Daryl Worley, and Robert Jackson at cornerback officially put Baltimore in — and likely exceeded — 1996 and 2007 territory at the position. The problem is it’s not going to get dramatically better if Anthony Averett’s rib injury forces him to miss time.
3. The Ravens gave up a whopping 15 plays of 15 or more yards to continue their season-long problem. It certainly didn’t help that a pass rush already leaving something to be desired at full strength was without Justin Houston and Justin Madubuike. Calais Campbell played only eight snaps.
4. Josh Johnson threw for the most yards (304) in a first start for Baltimore since Eric Zeier (302) in 1997. It’s a reflection of his work ethic and abilities that a quarterback who last started in the XFL was such a positive and nowhere close to the Ravens’ biggest problem.
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5. Watching Tyler Huntley and now Johnson lead the offense with improved tempo these last couple weeks makes it impossible not to wonder why we weren’t seeing that with Lamar Jackson before the ankle injury. Though the opponents and other variables change weekly, it’s a fair question.
6. The touchdown following Tee Higgins’ 52-yard catch eliminated any lingering optimism late in the first half, but I didn’t quite understand the outrage over Worley’s holding call wiping out his interception. Grabbing the receiver’s facemask right in front of the back judge is always going to fetch a flag.
7. Since Lamar Jackson exited on the first play of the second quarter in Cleveland, Mark Andrews has caught 27 passes for 372 yards and four touchdowns in roughly 11 quarters. Putting up such numbers with No. 2 and 3 quarterbacks is insane. The Ravens outlined the history he’s making:
8. Despite no shortage of frustrations for this team down the stretch, the improvement of Patrick Queen has been a bright spot. He still has work to do to live up to his first-round billing, but he’s certainly calmed down early-season concerns about him being a bust.
9. Rashod Bateman made four catches on the opening drive, including his first NFL touchdown. However, he was targeted only once more after that and not again after the first quarter. His talent and potential are evident, so I’m not sure why he disappears for such stretches.
10. Though James Proche hasn’t played a ton in his second season, he looks the part of someone capable of being productive from the slot whenever given opportunities. His seven catches for 76 yards were career highs in just 28 offensive snaps.
11. Any whining about the Bengals running up the score is silly when John Harbaugh and the Ravens have been accused of piling on against hapless opponents in the past. At the very least, this adds to a budding rivalry that should be quite fun in the years to come.
12. Sunday was awful as Baltimore lost all wiggle room in its quest for a fourth straight trip to the playoffs, but still playing meaningful football over the final two weeks despite the absurd list of absences is a testament to the organization. Don’t forget that amidst some understandable frustration.
