My former colleague, John Eisenberg, used to do a great column here called "Fact or Fiction." With Baltimore on a bye, it seemed like a good time to dust off that concept to address some of the biggest talking points around the Ravens.
Here goes nothing, and I'm going to use more than 50 words this time:
Fact: The Ravens can still win the AFC North.
The Ravens sit just a game-and-a-half behind the Steelers. The rematch between the rivals at M&T Bank Stadium on Dec. 21 looms incredibly large. Outside of that game, the Steelers have games against the hot Jameis Winston-led Browns (who they already lost to), Eagles, Chiefs, and Bengals, who will be looking to play spoiler in the regular-season finale.
Baltimore's final four-game stretch is no cakewalk either, but the Ravens are facing more teams with opposite trajectories. The Giants have lost seven straight and the Texans have dropped three of their last five. There's still a long way to go in this AFC North race and I think Baltimore has a good chance to get hot.
Fiction: The Ravens can't go all the way.
Last week's Ravens-Eagles game was billed as a potential Super Bowl preview that Baltimore lost. You have to give it to them. The Eagles are a really good team. But so are the Ravens, and I'm not dissuaded by one loss.
The Ravens have beaten a litany of very good teams that were playing really good ball (and were healthy) when they met: the Bills, Bengals, Commanders, Buccaneers, Broncos, and Chargers. Four of those teams would be in the playoffs if the season ended today, so you can't tell me the Ravens can't win in this year's playoffs.
Back in 2012, the Ravens got blown out, 34-17, in a Week 15 game against the Peyton Manning-led Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium. That game was seen as a playoff measuring stick. Four weeks later, Baltimore prevailed in a playoff rematch, 38-35.
This year's Ravens were far from getting blown out by Philly. With an offense this good and a defense that's improving, there's no reason to believe Baltimore can't get in the playoffs and win, even if there's a (hopeful) Super Bowl rematch with the Eagles.
Fact: Justin Tucker can pull out of his funk, and there are no better options.
Justin Tucker's struggles this season have confounded the sports world. This week, Tucker told Head Coach John Harbaugh, "I know what I have to do. I just have to do it in those situations."
I know Tucker can pull out of this because he already did so once this season. After missing three field goals in the Ravens' first three games, Tucker rebounded to drill 10 of his next 11 attempts. His one miss was a 50-yarder in Cleveland.
I have yet to see anyone who is suggesting that the Ravens bring in competition, or at least practice squad insurance, offer up a name. That's because there aren't any – at least not any obvious ones. And if you're going way off the beaten path, that's probably just as much of a gamble as it is to bank on Tucker turning it around.
Fiction: Lamar Jackson needs to run more.
The frequency of Lamar Jackson running became a talking point this week after he revealed that his mother cussed him out for not doing so more against the Eagles.
Could Jackson run more? Sure. Does he need to run more? No. Should he run more? Probably not.
Per ESPN, Jackson's quarterback rating of 91.8 on throws outside of the pocket is the best in the league among those who have played at least 10 games. Jackson has made countless special throws after eluding pressure. They've been some of the Ravens' best plays this season (and last).
Jackson can still beat teams with his legs, but I'll pass up the occasional 7-yard scramble for a chance at bigger chunk plays and fewer hits on Jackson's body. That karate kick move along the sideline against the Eagles was cool, but I like Jackson's touchdown throw to Mark Andrews better.
There will of course be critical third-down situations where running may be best to move the chains rather than attempt a lower-percentage throw, but I wouldn't want to change Jackson's instincts when it comes to making those decisions.
Fact: Marlon Humphrey and Ronnie Stanley's comeback seasons are two of the Ravens' best developments.
This offseason, it seemed like the future of longtime Ravens veterans, left tackle Ronnie Stanley and Marlon Humphrey, were cloudy. Both former Pro Bowlers and among the highest paid at their positions, Stanley and Humphrey had injury-riddled and disappointing 2023 seasons.
This year, they've been two of the team's best players. There's an argument to be made that Humphrey has been the Ravens' most impactful defensive player, as his five interceptions are tied for the third-most in the league and he has Pro Football Focus' (PFF) second-highest coverage grade among all cornerbacks. Stanley has been one of the league's top pass-blocking left tackles and a major stabilizing force on the left side of the line.
Stanley is set to become a free agent this offseason. Humphrey's cap number escalates again next season to more than $25 million, per OvertheCap, and the Ravens could save nearly $12.5 million by releasing him. Those are tough calls for another time, but the fact is, Baltimore is loving what both are giving this season.
Fiction: Baltimore's defense needed drastic changes. Now the offensive line does too.
Remember all the handwringing going on around Baltimore a few weeks ago after the Bengals hung 34 points on the Ravens and Ja'Marr Chase went for 264 and three scores?
That's way in the rear-view mirror at this point as Baltimore's secondary has rallied the past three weeks despite facing some daunting passing attacks and receiving weapons.
The Ravens didn't let Russell Wilson's moon ball beat them, they put the clamps on Justin Herbert, and they limited A.J. Brown and held Jalen Hurts to 118 passing yards. Baltimore made the tough decision to bench Marcus Williams and release Eddie Jackson and came out better for it.
That does not mean, however, that the Ravens should take a similar approach on the offensive line after a tough outing against the Eagles. There's been plenty of criticism of starting guards Daniel Faalele and Patrick Mekari this season. But the Ravens' offense is No. 1 in the league, in part, because of their solid play, not despite them.
Mekari has the 38th best pass blocking grade in the league among guards. If he cleans up some of the penalties, it will be higher. Faalele isn't far behind at No. 44. They've given up a grand total of two sacks between them, per PFF.
The fact is the Ravens have had one of the best offensive lines in football this year. One tougher outing against the Eagles doesn't warrant throwing that progress away. This is a different situation than the one Baltimore faced with its secondary.
