NFL
By: Nathan Snell
The Baltimore Ravens are now at an impasse. Sunday afternoon marked the start of a three-game losing streak. Seven key Ravens were out due to Injury. As both teams entered Week 5 needing a win, the Texans’ offense found its stride, and the Ravens’ defense had no answers whatsoever in the third-worst loss at home, 44-10.
Nathan’s Takeaways
Respectfully, this is a Next Man Up Mentality League
All summer, the Ravens’ roster was touted as the best, thanks to its depth and the potential for players from the draft to make an immediate impact. Well, Sunday afternoon, that did not happen. In fairness, they were overmatched. Both sides of the coin, especially involving young players who have yet to prove themselves, played a role. The run defense was especially atrocious, allowing 166 yards.
The Secondary and Linebackers were inconsistent, whether it was coverage, taking bad angles, or a lack of physicality. While this was their baptism of fire, it was a game where we needed to fix the fundamentals as soon as possible.
Another Team Offensively Resets against the Defense
Did you know the national media was ready to throw the towel on C.J Stroud after three weeks? An offense that was ranked 25th and 29th in points per game looked totally different on Sunday.
Building off week four, Sunday Stroud threw for 244 yards with four touchdowns on the day for the second time in his career. The offensive line looked better (lack of a Baltimore Ravens pass rush), even though Stroud was sacked twice. The Texans have not achieved that type of performance since Week 5 of the 2019 season.
Lamar Jackson covers up a lot of Flaws offensively.
For the second time in his career, Lamar Jackson has been accused by national media and social media of 1) quitting on his team, and 2) questioning the legitimacy of his injuries. Ladies and Gentlemen, he’s one person, and he can’t fix these issues. More than likely, he won’t play against the Los Angeles Rams, and then there is the Week Seven Bye after that.
Cooper Rush was brought in for games like this, and essentially, he and the offense had to be perfect as the defense was virtually nonexistent against the Texans. Opening drive, Rush and the offense were clicking on a 66-yard drive. After that, drive 26 yards the rest of the first half? Three second-half interceptions? The running game was essentially kept in check.
Coach Harbaugh and the Season from now on.
John Harbaugh made it clear that there would be no coaching changes, being very adamant: “We need to stick together.” Particularly defending Zach Orr, even though linebacker Kyle Van Noy in the post-presser said otherwise. From August, the Ravens were viewed as Super Bowl contenders, and that is the point where the Ravens go from here? Eric DeCosta and Steve Bisciotti have to be disappointed, sure, the injuries will be part of the context, but at some point, where does the buck stop? Brian Billick was fired after the 2007 season, and there was context to that. At this point with Harbaugh and this Sunday seeing most of M&T Bank empty, and being booed off the field. Some of us have to wonder….
The Ravens and Rams lock for week seven before their bye week. This is a must-win game. Baltimore has their work cut out for it, especially if it goes 1-5, and potential consequences.
