Enjoying the best stretch of his young career, Rashod Bateman has no intention of letting complacency creep in.
Bateman has caught 12 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns over the last three games heading into Sunday's matchup against the Cleveland Browns. However, Bateman believes the best way to handle success is to stay focused.
"I feel good, but always hungry for more," Bateman said. "I'm just following the leader, Lamar (Jackson). We're only in Week 8 right now. It's a long season, we're trying to get back to the AFC Championship. My main goal is winning more games."
Bateman and Jackson have never been in better sync. An example was when they adlibbed for a 59-yard connection against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to set up one of Baltimore's five touchdowns. Jackson had to escape pressure by rolling to his right, but Bateman stayed alive by breaking toward the middle of the field, which kept the window open for Jackson to make the throw.
Staying healthy since the start of last season has enabled Bateman and Jackson to read each other more clearly.
"I've been able to put in those hours with him and learn," Bateman said. "It's been carrying over. I'm on the field more. I'm getting more targets than I ever have since I've been in the league. I think that's kind of bound to happen at some point.
"I've always been confident in what I could do. I don't know why I got hurt in the past. There really wasn't nothing I could do to prevent either of the injuries that happened to me. Right now I'm thankful, but being a competitor, I'm coming to work every day, not trying to get complacent."
Zach Orr Hopes Takeaways Start Coming in Bunches
The Ravens have seven takeaways (five interceptions, two fumble recoveries) in seven games this season, on pace to finish with 17 for the season. The Green Bay Packers already have 17 takeaways to lead the NFL.
Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr hopes that Marlon Humphrey's two interceptions against Tampa Bay begin an uptick in takeaways for the Ravens. Baltimore had 31 takeaways in 2023 to tie the New York Giants for the league lead.
"You can stop people and get people off the field, but the best way to play good defense is to get the ball," Orr said. "The most important thing in football is the football, and our job is to take the ball away and give the ball back to the offense. Two takeaways like that just shows our guys that if you take the ball away, you can change the game."
Marlon Humphrey (knee) missed his third straight practice Friday and is doubtful for the Browns game, meaning Baltimore's takeaways may have to come from another source. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins (shoulder/illness), who is questionable for Sunday, could see extensive action if he plays in Week 8 after playing a career-high 81.7% of the defensive snaps against Tampa Bay.
"Especially a young player, the more they can practice, the more they can get in these games, the more experience they get, the better they're going to be. Especially with Nate's talent," Orr said. "I think you've been seeing him get better game by game, practice by practice. He's right on par with where we expect him to be."
Jordan Stout Focused on Making the Most of His Opportunities
With the Ravens rolling on offense, punter Jordan Stout often goes long stretches without being asked to kick. The Tampa Bay game was an example, when Stout only punted on Baltimore's first possession and last possession.
That can be challenging for a punter, but Stout said he can't afford to let his concentration wander, regardless of how long he waits for an opportunity.
"The biggest thing is to take one punt at a time," Stout said. "You've got to stay mentally focused the whole game."
Stout's final punt of the Tampa Bay game traveled just 30 yards to the Buccaneers' 18-yard line, but he wasn't too angry at himself. With the Ravens holding a 10-point lead with under two minutes to play, Stout's main objective was simply to get the punt off.
"They're bringing the house trying to block the punt," Stout said. "It was a bad punt, but I got the ball off. That was the key, for them not to be able to block the ball. Something I'm working on is being able to do both under pressure – get that ball off the way I need to in under 1.8 seconds, and then also hitting it where I need to hit it."
