After their dominant performance on Christmas, the Ravens can enjoy having this weekend off.
Riding a three-game winning streak, Baltimore (11-5) can end the regular season in style by beating the Cleveland Browns in Week 18 to clinch the AFC North. Here are my thoughts on a team that appears to be peaking at the right time, all in 50 words or less:
- If Baltimore wins the division after starting 0-2, a second straight division title will be well-deserved. The Ravens embraced the challenge of playing three games in 11 days, focusing on the opportunity, not the obstacle. That's how champions respond.
- My eyes must be closed if Baltimore doesn't look capable of winning the Super Bowl. Only one team will capture the Lombardi Trophy, but the Ravens are in the conversation, and winning their last three games by a margin of 100-33 speaks loudly.
- Pound-for-pound, Ar'Darius Washington may be the Ravens' hardest hitter. Since he entered the starting lineup, the defense has played with more attitude. That thunderous stick Washington put on Joe Mixon in Houston had Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr jumping like Air Jordan.
- Washington has added toughness at safety, while his running mate Kyle Hamilton has added stability. Since Hamilton moved to deep safety in Week 11, big plays against Baltimore have virtually disappeared. Hamilton should be an All-Pro for the second straight year, and he's only 23.
- The Ravens enter the weekend No. 1 in sacks (52), led by Kyle Van Noy (11.5) and Odafe Oweh (nine). Before the season, Pass Rush Coach Chuck Smith expressed confidence that Baltimore would get to the quarterback. He was right. The Ravens could lead the league in sacks again.
- Derrick Henry is special, but the Ravens' offensive line deserves credit for opening some gaping holes for him to exploit. Sticking with the same starting group after the bye has allowed the O-line to build even more continuity, and it's executing complex blocking schemes.
- Justin Tucker hasn't missed a kick since the Week 14 bye, making 3 of 3 field goal attempts and all 13 extra points. The G.O.A.T. looks like himself again, which is another positive sign for Baltimore heading into the postseason.
- Before the season, the Ravens talked about getting both Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely heavily involved in the offense. That box has been checked. Not only have they combined for 16 touchdown catches, but Andrews and Likely have both thrown key blocks on several big plays.
- The Ravens have the NFL's top red zone offense, and Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken is showing plenty of wrinkles. On Lamar Jackson's touchdown pass to Likely in Houston, right tackle Roger Rosengarten lined up on the left side and Likely was in the backfield with Derrick Henry.
- Of course, that play wouldn't have worked without Jackson's magic. The Chiefs didn't have a bye last season when they won the Super Bowl. The way Jackson's playing, going into the playoffs without a bye doesn't feel like something the Ravens can't overcome. The man is simply on fire.
