The Ravens got exactly what they needed from Week 9 – a convincing win to get back on track.
Baltimore cruised to a 41-10 victory over the Denver Broncos that righted the ship after a disappointing loss in Cleveland.
Having won six of their last seven, the Ravens (6-3) have momentum facing a short week before Thursday night's game back at M&T Bank Stadium against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Here are my five thoughts on a performance that Head Coach John Harbaugh called the Ravens' most complete game of the season:
Baltimore's offense is breathtaking when it's clicking.
This is the most explosive offense the Ravens have ever had, led by Lamar Jackson, who might win his third MVP, and Derrick Henry, who is proving he's still the best running back in football.
Denver (5-4) looked overmatched, despite entering the game ranked third overall in total defense. After punting on their first drive, the Ravens scored on seven straight possessions in a dominant display of offense.
Jackson (16-of-19, 280 yards, three touchdowns) had a perfect passer rating (158.3) for the fourth time in his career to tie former Steeler Ben Roethlisberger for the most in NFL history. He ended his day early in the fourth quarter with the Ravens up 31 points, but he had already done more than a full day's work.
The way Jackson picked apart Denver's defense with his passing was next level. Hardly using his legs to take off running, Jackson displayed how his game has evolved. The 2024 version of Jackson would rather throw darts downfield than dart past defenders. He only rushed three times for four yards, but he dominated with his arm, and the way he orchestrated the offense.
Jackson's ability to extend plays patiently while looking downfield gave more time for targets such as Zay Flowers (127 yards receiving) to find open spaces in Denver's secondary. Jackson's adjustments before the snap, anticipating the Broncos' blitzes and coverages, consistently put the Ravens in an advantageous position.
Jackson did all of this after practicing just once during the week, sitting out Wednesday and Thursday (knee/back) to rest his body. At this point in his career, one day of practice is enough for Jackson to be dialed in.
Flowers summed up Jackson's performance in one word: "Lamarvelous."
Henry (23 carries, 106 yards, two touchdowns) leads the league in rushing and scored the 100th and 101st rushing touchdowns of his career. He's a unique running back who breaks long runs consistently but also gets the tough yards in the red zone that many running backs can't.
Henry's two touchdowns came on runs of six yards and seven yards – physical runs that have been the hallmark of his career. He also ran for 74 yards in the second half when the Broncos' defense was wearing down. That's typical for Henry. He's a closer, a player who gives the Ravens an advantage when they have the lead entering the fourth quarter.
The offensive line also had one its best games after losing the battle up front against Cleveland. The Broncos' blitzes were neutralized and Henry had open running lanes. It seemed like almost any play that Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken called had a chance to work. Unlike other seasons in their history, the Ravens' best hope of reaching the Super Bowl starts with their offense.
This performance gives Baltimore's defense something to build on.
From the first snap, the Ravens' defense was locked in. Marcus Williams, back in the starting lineup after being benched in Week 8, made a superb tackle on the game's first play, and Ar'Darius Washington made an interception on the next play.
The drops and miscommunications that haunted Baltimore's defense against Cleveland were cleaned up. Denver is not an offensive juggernaut, but this was a step in the right direction.
It helped that Marlon Humphrey was back in the lineup, but the Ravens were still shorthanded along the defensive line without Michael Pierce (injured reserve/calf) and Brent Urban (concussion). However, second-year inside linebacker Trenton Simpson (nine tackles, one sack) was active and second-year outside linebacker Tavius Robinson led the pass rush with two sacks. The Ravens were stout in the red zone and made the Broncos earn most of what they got.
Facing the Bengals will give Ravens an even better indication of whether their defense is trending up. Meanwhile, General Manager Eric DeCosta could still make a move to strengthen the defense prior to Tuesday's trade deadline.
"Ravens defense – we owned up to the challenge that everyone was putting on us this week," nickel cornerback Arthur Maulet said. "We need to build off it."
This could be the first of many 1,000-yard seasons for Zay Flowers.
In his second year, Flowers is clearly a better player than he was as a rookie when he set franchise records for receptions (77) and yards (858). He's on pace to surpass both of those marks this season (46 catches, 654 yards, three touchdowns), and he sliced through Denver's secondary with his joystick-like quickness.
Flowers looked more slippery than a wet bar of soap on his 53-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, as he twice escaped the grasp of Broncos safety Devon Key, who learned what it feels like to be juked by Flowers.
Flowers was the third of four wide receivers drafted in the first round in 2023, but he's off to a better start to his career than the others – Jordan Addison, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Quentin Johnston. His chemistry with Jackson is superb, he wants the ball in big moments, and he's finding more ways to take advantage of his speed and elusiveness.
If Flowers stays healthy, he should be the Ravens' first 1,000-yard receiver since Marquise "Hollywood" Brown in 2021.
Beating the Bengals would make this a huge week for Baltimore.
Facing Cincinnati (4-5) on Thursday didn't leave the Ravens with much time to celebrate.
However, a victory on Thursday would prevent the Bengals from reaching .500 and further damage their playoff hopes. It would also move Baltimore to (7-3), with 10 days to get healthier before facing the Steelers on Nov. 17.
When the Ravens started 0-2, they made their road to repeating as AFC North champs more difficult. However, they're only half a game behind the Steelers (6-2), and they have a chance to sweep the season series against the Bengals if they win on Thursday.
Maulet believes the Ravens should view playing a division game on short rest as a golden opportunity.
"We've got Joe Burrow, an elite quarterback coming in Thursday night," Maulet said. "This is what we live for, AFC North football, nobody but us on TV. They know us like the back of their hand, we know them. It's going to be a physical game and it's going to be fun."
Extra Points
- With 101 career rushing touchdowns, Henry moved past Shaun Alexander and Marshall Faulk into eighth place on the all-time list. Next up is John Riggins with (104).
- Patrick Ricard caught a 3-yard touchdown pass for his first TD reception of the season.
- Kyle Hamilton had another strong game for the Ravens, leading them with 10 tackles.
- Newly-acquired wide receiver Diontae Johnson played 17 snaps in his Ravens debut but was not targeted.
- Defensive tackles Chris Wormley (30 snaps) and Josh Tupou (27 snaps) saw substantial time after being elevated from the practice squad. The Broncos' top two running backs had just 52 rushing yards on 17 carries.
