This year’s Baltimore Ravens team is a little different from the normal one we’re used to seeing. Typically, Ravens teams have been mostly reliant upon their defense.
Lamar Jackson and the offense are second in the league, scoring an average of 31.4 points per game. They’re also gaining 445.9 yards per game, the best in the NFL.
The defense is not as dominant as past groups. But they’re still adjusting to new defensive coordinator Zach Orr. Baltimore is uncharacteristically low in points allowed per game (24.3) placing them 23rd in the league and total yards allowed (356.6) which falls in at 21st.
“I think we’re all expected to have a learning curve,” Harbaugh said. “Everybody is where they’re at, and what happens in your life, and you try to learn and grow and become the best you can be, and that’s what we’re doing.”
The Ravens still have a talented group of defensive players by inside linebacker Roquan Smith. Most of last year’s group is in-tact with the exception of free agents Patrick Queen who moved on to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jadaveon Clowney who landed with the Carolina Panthers.
Key players like Marlon Humphrey have given up big plays in crucial moments. Humphrey said the plays aren’t always the coach’s fault. There are times when the players in the field simply didn’t make the play.
“For me as a player, knowing what’s going on,” Humphrey said. “I hate seeing coaches get under scrutiny when it’s the players’ fault. If I felt that there was, ‘This [isn’t] being coached this way right. This [isn’t] being this, [or] this isn’t being this,’ it’s a little different, but it really sucks when the product we’re putting out there isn’t what we’re being coached [and] isn’t what we’re practicing. That’s kind of what hurts me.”
Humphrey has taken the criticism that Orr has received personally and vows to do all he can to change the tune. The Ravens followed suit as well.
Baltimore brought in an old friend in Dean Pees to help out as well. Pees has almost 50 years of coaching experience. He gives the team a separate, very-experienced set of eyes to help out.
One thing the Ravens defense has done well is shut offenses down on fourth downs. Baltimore’s 0.4 fourth down conversion rate is third in the NFL.
“I think every time we’re out there, no matter the down and distance – especially on fourth down – we think we have just [as much] a shot of stopping them as they do converting, if not better, so when all 11 guys have that mindset,” safety Kyle Hamilton said after key fourth down stops last week. “Of course, they’re going to get some, but it’s that reset and refocus. We’re not giving up until the ball is in the end zone, and the ball could be at the 1 [yard line or] first-and-goal, [but] we were still fighting.”
This week will be a good test against a familiar foe, their AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals. Quarterback Joe Burrow and receiver Ja’marr Chase are always a tough match up. The acquisition of veteran cornerback TreDavious White at the trade deadline came just in time. So stay tuned!