With the Ravens suffering a fourth straight defeat in a 17-3 final to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday afternoon, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. Both NFL Network and FOX cited the coaches’ challenge of adjusting the Lamar Jackson offense to Cooper Rush’s skill set as though that wasn’t obvious when Baltimore guaranteed Rush $4 million in March. The Ravens willingly did that, so no excuses. That said, Rush was awful in a winnable game.
2. I have to laugh at profound takes stating how valuable Jackson is and how bad Baltimore is without him, citing a 4-11 record without the two-time MVP quarterback since 2019. The same would be true in Kansas City without Patrick Mahomes and in Buffalo without Josh Allen. Thanks, Captain Obvious.
3. The pass rush still looks hopeless, but the defense at least rebounded with a more representative showing by holding the Rams to 3.2 yards per carry and Matthew Stafford under 200 passing yards. Los Angeles squandered multiple scoring chances, but the defense showed more fight and tackled better. Baby steps.
4. Alohi Gilman played 44 of 53 snaps as Baltimore transitioned to playing a three-safety nickel package for most of the game. Anything allowing Kyle Hamilton to play closer to the line of scrimmage is a positive development, but the Ravens need better from Malaki Starks for this to pay dividends.
5. John Harbaugh said Ronnie Stanley’s ankle is “structurally good,” but it’s now cost him significant action in three straight games. One hoped Stanley was finally past this last season, but his surgically-repaired ankle is becoming a concern when sizing up this team’s chances of overcoming a 1-5 start.
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6. The Ravens had been better limiting penalties earlier this season, but even that’s begun to turn, especially on the offensive line as a pair of holding calls stifled a promising opening drive. Many have clamored for changes at guard for weeks now, but I’ll believe it when I see it.
7. Sunday was just the latest example of this offense being inexcusably poor in goal-line and short-yardage situations with plenty of blame to go around. I haven’t liked Todd Monken’s calls and personnel usage, and the offensive line’s inability to move people is painfully evident. Pat Ricard has also been missed.
8. Aside from surrendering Kyren Williams’ 30-yard reception on fourth-and-2 — on a play that began with a curious two-man pass rush — on the opening drive of the second half, Trenton Simpson played one of his best games. I’d like to see what he looks like playing a little more Sam linebacker.
9. Only the Jets and Tennessee have lost more fumbles than the Ravens this season after Zay Flowers was responsible for two that were critical to putting Sunday’s game out of reach. The first was the result of trying to make a play, but the second was a simple concentration lapse.
10. Continuing to watch Ravens quarterbacks throw the ball away on fourth down in a desperation situation rather than try to make something happen reflects the overall lack of situational awareness on this team. Regardless of injury woes, Baltimore hasn’t played particularly smart football.
11. Seeing M&T Bank Stadium so empty in the second half these last two games was jarring, but it’s reality with a one-win football team. Derrick Henry said, “We all know it’s rough right now, and they want to see a good product out there. We haven’t been displaying that.”
12. For their 10th season in 2005, the Ravens started 2-7. In the 20th campaign in 2015, they began 1-6. They’re now 1-5 in their 30th season. Maybe it’s time to scrap celebrating the multiple-of-10 seasons and try to regroup with a 40th anniversary nod in 2036.
