For the Ravens to make a successful run to the playoffs, they need to keep making noise in November.
Baltimore (3-5) is riding a two-game winning streak and seems to be finally headed in the right direction. However, I liked what Lamar Jackson said after Wednesday's practice, when asked if back-to-back victories have given the Ravens a boost of confidence.
"Absolutely, but we have to stay locked in," Jackson said. "We can't get on the high horse just from winning two games in a row."
Jackson is right. At some point, the Ravens need an extended winning streak to reach the playoffs. The 18-week season is half over, and entering Week 10, the Ravens aren't where they expected to be.
That's why Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings (4-4) is pivotal. Ears will be ringing inside U.S. Bank Stadium, one of the NFL's loudest environments. Will the Ravens block out the noise and capture a victory they sorely need? Or will they suffer a defeat that sets them back and makes their path to the postseason even more challenging?
Here are my thoughts on the Ravens, all in 50 words or less:
- Head Coach John Harbaugh has a 48-20 record in November, the winningest month of his 18-year tenure. It's not unusual for his teams to have success during this time of the season. A strong start would've been nice. But an undefeated November would put Baltimore right back in the mix.
- Baltimore’s 53-man roster is healthy and needs to capitalize for as long as that lasts. Key players like Jackson, Roquan Smith, Patrick Ricard, and Isaiah Likely missed multiple games. They're back, and now the onus is on the Ravens to roll when at full strength.
- Baltimore's tight ends should hurt the Vikings, who gave up six catches for 97 yards and a touchdown to Lions tight end Sam LaPorta. Against Miami last week, Mark Andrews, Likely, and Charlie Kolar combined for seven catches, 105 yards, and three touchdowns. They're unselfish, and they're good.
- Andrews needs 18 yards to lead the franchise in all-time receiving yards, and 10 catches to become the franchise's No. 1 leader in receptions. He already leads Baltimore in all-time touchdown catches (55). Andrews approaches every game and every practice with piercing intensity, and it keeps paying off.
- Dre'Mont Jones spent the week studying and practicing after being traded to the Ravens and has been given the green light from Harbaugh to play. The Ravens' defense is on the upswing, and Jones' versatility as an edge/defensive lineman brings a needed ingredient.
- Harbaugh said newly acquired edge rusher Carl Lawson is also ready. It will be interesting to see Lawson activated for his Ravens debut. Young Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has just three career starts, and pressure by Baltimore might force him into a key mistake.
- I wasn't surprised that Malaki Starks earned the Ravens' highest defensive grade from Pro Football Focus (91.2) against Miami. Starks is playing with more physicality and confidence and had his first interception against the Dolphins. I wouldn't be surprised to see him grab another Sunday.
- Baltimore's defense can't afford to relax at any point against Vikings star wideout Justin Jefferson. He has reached 1,400 yards receiving in four of his five seasons. Nate Wiggins may defend Jefferson most frequently, but the Ravens may mix it up against a truly great player.
- Derrick Henry had 119 rushing yards against the Dolphins, and the Vikings rank 20th in run defense. If Henry starts punishing the Vikings on the ground, it will turn down some of the volume from the home crowd.
- Jackson's 24-3 record against NFC teams as a starter is crazy good. In his only previous start against Minnesota, he threw three touchdown passes and rushed for 120 yards. That was in 2021, and Jackson's better now than he was then. That's another reason to like Baltimore's chances.
