Now 4-5 on the year, the Baltimore Ravens are on a slippery slope. Less than a month ago, John Harbaugh’s side were 4-2 but losses to the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers have changed the complexion of the AFC North table. A fourth defeat in a row could signal the end of Baltimore’s playoff aspirations before the business end of the season.
Heading into their Week 10 bye, there is a somber mood at M&T Bank Stadium. The 2018 campaign started with such promise but the Ravens have come crashing down to earth in recent weeks. However, hitting the panic button with seven games remaining would be foolish. Watch this space, Baltimore’s defense can hit top gear again; all they need is one game-changing play to reignite that famous Ravens swagger.
The Ravens' defense is due for more INTs.
Ravens' assistant coaches explain how they may be coming. pic.twitter.com/VTYDzXTk9F
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 6, 2018
The Lamar Jackson experiment has been rather hit and miss so far – Baltimore supporters expected so much more when they selected the Louisville quarterback in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. At the time of writing, Jackson has been used primarily for his rushing ability; he has moved the chains on 43% of his carries. In time, he will take a more central role as the Ravens’ future franchise quarterback.
Joe Flacco has done his bit for the most part, recording a 12:6 touchdown to interception ratio through nine weeks. His 61.2% pass completion rate is more or less in line with the rest of his career and Ravens fans will be demanding more for the remainder of the season. The Baltimore franchise star topped a 90.0 passer rating mark three times in the first four weeks but has surpassed that figure just once in his last five games.
At the time of writing, the Ravens are two wins behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fight to win the AFC North title. Baltimore are 4/1 in NFL betting to claim the division in 2018 but it is going to take a huge shift in dynamics. Pittsburgh have won five on the spin while the Cincinnati Bengals are also in decent form. Harbaugh is a man under pressure to deliver and he knows it – the Ravens cannot afford to fall short.
Defense has been Baltimore’s greatest strength over the years and the M&T Bank Stadium fans will be hoping that the current crop can turn things around. The Ravens have allowed 160 points through nine weeks; with 83 of those points coming in the last three weeks. This defence is one of the leading units in the National Football League and they will have to step up sooner rather than later.
The Baltimore Ravens invested heavily in receiving talent during free agency and Joe Flacco now has a number of credible options at his disposal. On paper, this team should be good enough to reach the playoffs and John Harbaugh is counting on it. It is time for the Ravens to string a run of positive results together or else they can kiss goodbye to the postseason.
