With the Ravens falling 29-24 to Cleveland on Sunday to have their five-game winning streak snapped, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. Baltimore entered Week 8 ranked second in third-down conversion rate while the Browns were dead last. The Ravens went 2-for-12 on third and fourth downs while Cleveland was 8-for-15 on third down. They faced third-and-6 or worse eight times and weren’t nearly productive enough on early-down plays.
2. The offensive line took a substantial step back as Browns edge rushers Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith combined for a whopping 20 pressures. That unit had been on a role, but even Tyler Linderbaum wasn’t very good. Cleveland did a solid job taking away opportunities for outside runs.
3. Since registering six sacks and 14 pressures over the first four games, Kyle Van Noy has one sack and nine pressures. Odafe Oweh has six pressures and a sack since recording 12 pressures and 3 1/2 sacks over the first four weeks. The edge rush needs another “dude” badly.
4. Per PFF, the Ravens have the only two games all season with three dropped interceptions after previously doing it against Buffalo. They lead the league with eight while no other defense has dropped more than five. You must capitalize on such opportunities when you’re not very good overall.
5. On the flip side, Lamar Jackson wasn’t as careful with the football as we’ve seen this season, especially in the first half. He was charged with two “turnover-worthy plays” by PFF that easily could have been intercepted. Those were his first ones since Week 1, however.
6. There’s much blame to distribute for both coaches and players, but Marcus Williams is one of the NFL’s highest-paid safeties. Roquan Smith is the top-paid inside linebacker. Nnamdi Madubuike ranks third among defensive tackles. Other than Marlon Humphrey, the Ravens aren’t getting nearly enough from their highest-paid defensive players.
7. Kyle Hamilton was one of the few defensive bright spots before his inexplicable dropped interception. He was Baltimore’s best player in the first half with the strip-sack setting up a touchdown, eight tackles, another quarterback hit, and two pass breakups, but he had just two tackles after intermission.
8. Rashod Bateman appeared on his way to another big game after his early 28-yard catch and run. Instead, that was his lone reception of the day as he wasn’t targeted again until the second half and dropped two passes, including one on third-and-14. You hope he shakes those off quickly.
9. Asked about persistent difficulties getting lined up pre-snap, John Harbaugh acknowledged the defense must improve in that area while noting how such issues are common around the league. He’s not wrong, but most other defenses aren’t tied for last in touchdown passes allowed. That first Cedric Tillman score was embarrassing.
10. Harbaugh said Justin Tucker’s 50-yard miss “didn’t look like a great hit on the ball,” and he slipped on his earlier make, making you wonder if Tucker hurt himself. The return game again featured bad decisions and penalties. The special teams aren’t much better than the pass defense right now.
11. He doesn’t need to carry the ball every time by any means, but I’ll never understand deliberately taking Jackson out of the equation for any short-yardage play. The Ravens have also committed false starts on multiple “tush push” plays this season. I love creativity, but Todd Monken is overthinking these.
12. Zach Orr’s defense has allowed 17 touchdown passes and 2,331 passing yards in eight games. Baltimore surrendered 18 touchdown passes and 3,263 passing yards all of last season. The Ravens’ 26.1 points allowed per game is on pace to be their worst mark since the inaugural 1996 team (27.6). Woof.
