Pundit Says Ravens Are 'Still a Team I Don't Want to Play'
With two losses in their past three games, the Ravens have slipped in the standings and power rankings, but a pair of pundits still believe they can make noise in the postseason.
"There's a version of this team that could be absolutely spectacular, where the Ravens combine the offense we saw during the first 10 games with the defense we've seen firm up over the past three," ESPN's Bill Barnwell wrote. "That's essentially what the Ravens had a year ago, when they went 13-4 and posted one of the best point differentials in recent memory."
Former NFL executive Michael Lombardi said the Ravens' improved defense makes them a dangerous opponent.
"Baltimore is still a team that I don't want to play because they are getting better defensively, and that's been the concern about them all year, is are they good enough defensively, can they cover well enough," Lombardi said on "The Pat McAfee Show." "And we saw that they did a better job, they held [the Philadelphia Eagles] to 118 yards passing. I wouldn't give up on Baltimore yet."
Barnwell said that if the Ravens (8-5) just split their remaining four games they'll be in a good position to make a playoff run. He also didn't dismiss the possibility of them overtaking the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) to win the AFC North title.
"On bye right now, the Ravens can get into the postseason without needing to pull any upsets," Barnwell wrote. "A road win over the Giants in Week 14 and a home victory over the Browns in Week 18 would all but clinch a playoff spot for the Ravens, even if they lose their two remaining games against potential playoff opponents in the Steelers and Texans. Finishing as the No. 5 seed would allow the Ravens to face the Texans again in a potential playoff rematch, and Houston would seem to be the most beatable of the likely division winners.
"Then again, if the Ravens can win their rematch with Pittsburgh, they could find themselves in position to win the AFC North again, given that the Steelers still have games against the Chiefs and Eagles."
Where Things Stand With Two of the 2024 Ravens' Biggest Storylines
The Baltimore Sun’s Sam Cohn looked at the Ravens' five biggest storylines this season and where they stand at the bye week. Here are two excerpts:
TE Mark Andrews' usage
"Mark Andrews is on the precipice of becoming the Ravens' all-time touchdown leader. In Week 7, he passed Todd Heap for the most receiving scores in franchise history. Then his end zone grab Sunday tied him with Jamal Lewis for first place in career touchdowns with 47. One more and he'll stand alone in Baltimore's record books.
"That kind of production — seven touchdowns in eight weeks — is a far cry from where he started the season, when some fans took to social media postulating that the veteran tight end might have moved to left tackle (he was the best blocking tight end in the NFL). His scoreless first five weeks, which included back-to-back games without a catch, sure made it look that way. Now, he's got the team's second-most touchdowns and third-most receiving yards, putting that discourse to rest."
The defensive turnaround
"Baltimore's defense looked like it had fallen off a cliff. The triple-crown, league-leading group from a year ago spent much of this season being thrashed by opposing receivers. They were ranked No. 32 in the NFL in pass defense. They led the league in dropped interceptions. They were on the wrong side of the best single-game receiving performance this season: Bengals wideout Ja'Marr Chase strolling to 264 yards and three scores on 11 catches.
"Like Andrews, the defense turned a corner. It's not reading too much into it, defensive coordinator Zach Orr agreed, to pinpoint a team film session after Chase's tour de force. They're now 26th in pass defense, having allowed only one passing touchdown in three weeks. Credit goes to finding continuity on the back end. ... Now All-Pro Kyle Hamilton has an every-week partner in Ar'Darius Washington."
Ravens Urged to Pursue Giants Edge Rusher in Free Agency
Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine identified edge rusher as one of the Ravens' five biggest needs and said they should pursue pending free agent Azeez Ojulari of the New York Giants in the offseason.
"The Ravens have a strong pass rush right now with Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy leading the way," Ballentine wrote. "However, Van Noy is 33 years old and it's unclear if David Ojabo will ever step into his role as the team's second edge threat. Azeez Ojulari has shown that he could be that kind of player, but he's stuck behind Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns in New York. He'll likely look for a place where he could take on a larger role, and the Ravens would offer the opportunity to do that on a contender.
Ojulari, 24, had six sacks in 11 games this season before being placed on injured reserve with a toe injury. The 2021 second-round pick has 22 sacks in 46 career games.
Ravens Select Texas A&M Edge Rusher in PFF's Mock Draft
Speaking of edge rushers, Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema had the Ravens selecting Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart in the first round of his three-round mock draft.
"The Ravens could find themselves in need of a young pass rusher, depending on their long-term outlook for Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo, both of whom are set to hit free agency in 2026," Sikkema wrote. "At 6-foot-6, 290 pounds, former five-star recruit Justin Stewart brings Jadeveon Clowney-like traits to the table. He's an explosive run defender with promising pass-rush potential, particularly in speed-to-power situations."
Sikkema mocked Georgia guard Tate Ratledge to the Ravens in the second round and Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson in the third.
