We have been ready for the Baltimore Ravens’ new-look passing assault to point out up this season, an assault that will function Lamar Jackson throwing it all around the discipline to a brand new group of pass-catchers who would mild up the scoreboard.
We lastly noticed it Sunday.
Jackson proved he can and can flourish in first-year coordinator Todd Monken’s system, one which was purported to show a greater downfield passing assault. However heading into Sunday’s spectacular blowout of the Detroit Lions, it appeared to be lacking one thing on a weekly foundation. Whether or not it was turnovers by Jackson or the various drops by the receivers, the consistency wasn’t there.
Nevertheless it was there in an enormous means in opposition to the Lions as Jackson was excellent. He threw for a season-best 357 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He ran 9 instances for 36 yards and a landing, however the speeding complete was his second lowest this season. Jackson accomplished 21 of his 27 passes and averaged 15.1 per try. That is particular stuff. The Ravens scored touchdowns on their first 4 possessions to blow open the sport early.
Jackson is actually now within the MVP dialog along with his play placing the Ravens at 5-2 and true contenders within the AFC. They’re as much as third in my Energy Rankings this week after dominating a very good Lions workforce.
The Ravens signed Jackson to a mega contract earlier than the season, and he is proving them proper with he means he is taking part in. At instances in his profession, Jackson has been an erratic passer, able to the wow moments however filled with inconsistent intervals of inaccuracy. That’s no extra. His completion proportion is 71.0, which is the perfect of his profession and second highest within the NFL amongst passers with 200 or extra makes an attempt behind solely Tua Tagovailoa. It will be even larger if the Ravens did not have seven drops in a loss to the Steelers.
It has taken time to get the Monken offense going, however with the offensive line getting wholesome, Jackson appears to be like a lot extra assured within the system than earlier within the season. Whenever you add in that the Ravens are the top-ranked scoring protection within the league, giving up 13.9 factors per recreation, Baltimore is certainly a Super Bowl contender.
The brand new-look go offense arrived in an enormous means in opposition to the Lions, which is why the Ravens are threats to win all of it and why Jackson is an actual risk to be the MVP for a second time in his profession.
Greatest Movers
|
Rk |
Groups |
Chg |
Rcrd |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
|
They’re clicking now on offense, which is the scary factor for the remainder of the NFL. They seemed just like the offense we count on from Patrick Mahomes in opposition to the Chargers, actually for the primary time this season. | — | 6-1-0 |
2 |
|
The protection got here up large in opposition to a very good Miami offense Sunday evening. That is a very good signal going ahead. Jalen Hurts nonetheless does not look all the best way proper, however he is shut. | 3 | 6-1-0 |
3 |
|
With all of the give attention to Lamar Jackson, it is easy to miss the protection. However that facet of the ball has been actually good as effectively. | 6 | 5-2-0 |
4 |
|
They’ve received 4 straight and nonetheless have not seemed nice in doing so. The offense nonetheless is not clicking all the best way, however the indicators are there that it is coming. | 3 | 5-2-0 |
5 |
|
They’ve misplaced two straight video games, and the protection was gutted by the Vikings. Now right here come the Bengals and Joe Burrow. | 1 | 5-2-0 |
6 |
|
They went on the bye after beating the Chargers on the street, which needed to give this workforce life. Is that this the purpose once they actually begin to play effectively? | — | 4-2-0 |
7 |
|
The offense has to show they will rating on the street in opposition to good groups. It did not assist that they had three beginning offensive linemen out for the sport in opposition to the Eagles, however the questions nonetheless stay about beating good groups on the street. | 5 | 5-2-0 |
8 |
|
That was a tricky recreation at Baltimore, nevertheless it was the best way they performed that is a nasty look. They acquired dominated in each side of the sport. | 5 | 5-2-0 |
9 |
|
The protection wasn’t as dominant in opposition to the Colts, nevertheless it made a variety of large performs on that facet of the ball to assist offset an odd day. The Deshaun Watson damage state of affairs is not serving to this workforce. | 1 | 4-2-0 |
10 |
|
This workforce is quietly 4-2 and could be a playoff workforce in the event that they began now. They’ve received 4 of 5, and it may simply be 5 straight had been it not for blown probabilities at Cincinnati two weeks in the past. | 3 | 4-2-0 |
11 |
|
Mike Tomlin has completed a pleasant job with this workforce this yr. It is good to see the offense present some life in opposition to the Rams as they prepared for an enormous recreation with the Jaguars. | 11 | 4-2-0 |
12 |
|
They lead the NFC South after beating the Bucs on the street. The protection has improved in an enormous means in latest weeks, however Desmond Ridder has to give up turning the ball over. | 8 | 4-3-0 |
13 |
|
They all of a sudden do not look near being a Tremendous Bowl-type of workforce. The protection has been crippled by accidents — and it exhibits. | 5 | 4-3-0 |
14 |
|
The bye needed to be good for this workforce, particularly Joe Burrow and his calf. They wanted the time. However now they face a brutal journey to play the 49ers. | 3 | 3-3-0 |
15 |
|
At 3-3 off their bye week, they need to really feel fairly good about the place they’re after dropping Aaron Rodgers on opening evening. The protection is particular. | — | 3-3-0 |
16 |
|
They arrive off their bye at 3-3, one of many shock groups of the league up to now. This week it is C.J. Stroud in opposition to Bryce Younger. Thus far, Stroud has been the higher of the 2 rookie quarterbacks. | — | 3-3-0 |
17 |
|
They misplaced one other shut recreation this week, this time to Steelers at dwelling. Now they face a tricky street recreation at Dallas in opposition to a rested Cowboys workforce. | 5 | 3-4-0 |
18 |
|
At 3-4, the warmth must be on Brandon Staley. The offense hasn’t improved that a lot with Kellen Moore, and Justin Herbert is popping it over an excessive amount of. | 3 | 2-4-0 |
19 |
|
They’ve received two straight video games to proper issues and possibly maintain off any potential fireplace sale. Kirk Cousins was excellent in opposition to the 49ers. | 7 | 3-4-0 |
20 |
|
Two straight losses has this workforce reeling a bit. The offense could not appear to get it going the previous two weeks. | 6 | 3-3-0 |
21 |
|
The offense is so restricted proper now with Derek Carr not taking part in effectively. He factors a variety of fingers at others, however he is an enormous a part of the issue. | 4 | 3-4-0 |
22 |
|
Gardner Minshew did some good issues in opposition to the Browns. However he additionally did a variety of unhealthy issues. That is simply what occurs when he performs quarterback. | 4 | 3-4-0 |
23 |
|
The offensive line is terrible and Sam Howell is taking a beating. He is been sacked 40 instances. That is disgraceful. | 4 | 3-4-0 |
24 |
|
They seemed lifeless for many of the recreation in dropping to the Bears. Now they face one other powerful journey this week to play the Lions on the street. | 1 | 3-4-0 |
25 |
|
The excellent news after beating the Payments was how effectively Mac Jones performed. May that be the sport that will get him going once more? They face a tricky one this week at Miami in opposition to the Dolphins. | 4 | 2-5-0 |
26 |
|
Shedding to the Broncos off a bye will not be a very good look. It took them means too lengthy to get the offense going. They should play looser on offense than they did within the first half. | 2 | 2-4-0 |
27 |
|
They arrive off their bye with out quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Meaning it is Malik Willis and Will Levis for a bit and possibly longer if the Kevin Byard commerce means they’re having a hearth sale. | 2 | 2-4-0 |
28 |
|
Tyson Bagent performed effectively in beating the Raiders. The protection additionally made large strides in that recreation. | 1 | 2-5-0 |
29 |
|
Kyler Murray is again at follow and so they want him again. This employees has to seek out out about him. | 1 | 1-6-0 |
30 |
|
Tyrod Taylor has completed a pleasant job in his two video games as quarterback, together with beating the Commanders. Is there a quarterback controversy when Daniel Jones comes again? Not but. | — | 2-5-0 |
31 |
|
They lastly performed a very good defensive recreation in beating the Packers. They wanted that victory within the worst technique to cease the bleeding. | — | 2-5-0 |
32 |
|
They arrive off their bye with a change in play-calling duties with coach Frank Reich giving them up. It is a technique to attempt to jump-start the offense, however that unit has issues larger than that. | — | 0-6-0 |
