The Ravens are back home, but will they get back on track?
Sunday's home opener against the Cleveland Browns will provide the answer. Every AFC North game is important, even one as early as Week 2. However, this one feels bigger after Baltimore lost a 15-point lead late in the fourth quarter while falling to the Buffalo Bills in the season opener.
Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy acknowledged that it took him longer than usual to get past Week 1.
"I've learned over my career that there's usually a 24-hour rule," Van Noy said. "Sometimes you need to take 48 hours or 24. After an emotional loss like that, I think it was OK to take 48."
Now it's time for me to take 50. Here are my thoughts on the Ravens heading into Sunday's game, all in 50 words or less:
- Losing in Buffalo was painful for Baltimore, but putting up 40 points was a strong opening statement by the offense. Derrick Henry enters Week 2 leading the NFL in rushing and Zay Flowers leads in receiving yards. I still believe this is the most potent offense in the Ravens' 30-year history.
- Browns safety Grant Delpit talking trash isn't going to stop Henry. It will be Cleveland's job to do that, and in his last game against the Browns, Henry ran for 138 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 6.9 yards per carry. If anyone's talking trash, it should be Henry.
- Flowers suffered an ankle injury against the Browns in Week 17 last season that forced him to miss the playoffs. How much the Ravens missed Flowers probably isn't talked about enough. But he's healthy again, and ready to be a problem for Cleveland on Sunday.
- Mark Andrews is the only player in franchise history to begin a season with back-to-back games with at least 100 yards receiving. Flowers can join Andrews on Sunday. The way he and Lamar Jackson are clicking, I wouldn't be surprised Flowers does it.
- Two things I'd like to see from the Ravens' defense this week. A consistent pass rush on Joe Flacco and at least one forced turnover. Flacco can't escape pressure like Josh Allen can, and Baltimore should be able to force the Browns quarterback into at least one mistake.
- Browns receiver Jerry Jeudy said the Ravens' secondary presents "no challenges." Jeudy had 90 catches for 1,229 yards and four touchdowns last season, but Week 1 he had with just five catches for 66 yards against the Bengals. If the Ravens contain Jeudy, their chances to win are excellent.
- Will T.J. Tampa see increased time at corner against Cleveland? Head Coach John Harbaugh said Tampa has been practicing well and Jaire Alexander didn't play up to his usual standard in Week 1 after missing a lot or practice time this summer. We'll see if it's Tampa time on Sunday.
- The Ravens can't afford to let star defensive end Myles Garrett wreck their offense. Garrett didn't have a sack in two games against Baltimore last season, but he had two sacks and three quarterback hits against Joe Burrow last week. We'll see if Baltimore's offensive line still has the right formula for Garrett.
- The new kickoff rules are going to create more returns, which makes Rasheen Ali's role important. Ali averaged 27.8 yards on six returns against Buffalo, including a long of 41 yards. He runs with power and good vision as the No.1 returner. I won't be surprised if he breaks one this season.
- Zaire Mitchell-Paden is drawing well-deserved praise for his play in Week 1 in his NFL debut. With Patrick Ricard (calf) out again in Week 2, Mitchell-Paden may get called up from the practice squad again. He'd be stoked to face the Browns after spending two years on their practice squad.
