With the Ravens moving into the AFC playoff field with a 27-13 win over the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. What a difference a day made as many fans were ready to give up on the playoffs after Miami’s win on Saturday. In poker terms, there were too many “outs” left in the deck for the Ravens not to be rewarded for staying on a winning course. One to go.
2. Baltimore thrived on third down, going an impressive 8-for-11 and 6-for-7 in the first half. All but one required four or fewer yards to move the chains and six required two or fewer yards, speaking to the overwhelming success on early downs. That’s what the best offenses can do.
3. Wink Martindale fired up blitzes to a heavy degree in the second half, sacking Daniel Jones six times and forcing him to settle for underneath throws the Ravens defense was willing to concede with a double-digit lead. The bend-but-don’t-break approach was perfectly fine with a banged-up secondary.
4. Another win brings great optimism, but injury concerns persist with Yannick Ngakoue (thigh), Patrick Mekari (back), and Willie Snead (ankle) exiting the game with injuries and Marlon Humphrey, DeShon Elliott, J.K. Dobbins, Patrick Ricard, and Devin Duvernay banged up at different points. That doesn’t include Marcus Peters and Jimmy Smith.
5. Gus Edwards isn’t flashy, but you had to marvel at the skills he showed with his catch and run on Lamar Jackson’s throw under pressure in the fourth quarter. He’s still growing as a player, which says plenty for someone who averaged 5.2 yards per carry as a rookie.
What. Just. Happened.
👏👏 @Lj_era8 to @GodsGiftGus13
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6. With Baltimore gaining at least 6.4 yards per play in each of the last four games, it’s time to bring back 2019’s advice for opponents to receive to begin the game and try to grab the early lead. New York won the toss and deferred, which didn’t work so well.
7. Chris Board collected two sacks and is seeing time as a linebacker, occasional edge rusher, and hybrid dime back in certain situations. The North Dakota State product was vying for a starting job in the 2019 preseason before some injuries derailed his momentum. He’s taking advantage of his opportunities now.
8. John Harbaugh didn’t sound overly concerned about the back tightness that forced Mekari out of Sunday’s game, but Matt Skura unfortunately reminded everyone of his struggles snapping the ball that contributed to him losing his starting job last month. That’s a situation worth monitoring with January rapidly approaching.
9. Harbaugh cited other game-day roster needs as the reason for deactivating regular punt returner James Proche, but Duvernay showed superior explosiveness on two returns for 36 yards. With the Ravens arguably placing too much emphasis on special teams at times, I’d like to see Duvernay return both punts and kickoffs.
10. Beyond Duvernay’s comfort level returning punts, Sunday was a forgettable day for special teams. A delay of game penalty wiping away a field goal was bad enough, but Justice Hill following three consecutive sacks from the Ravens defense with a roughing the kicker foul was particularly ugly.
11. The Ravens will be viewed as a January underdog if they handle their Week 17 business, but it’s worth noting they again own the NFL’s best point differential. Eight of their wins have come by 14 or more points. Meanwhile, Kansas City’s last seven victories have come by one score.
12. While Baltimore and Pittsburgh won critical games, Cleveland lost to a 1-13 opponent. Yes, the Browns can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Steelers, but I’ll still take this as a sign of order being restored in the AFC North as 2020 finally comes to an end.
