Mink: The Ravens' defense hasn't been as strong as I think a lot of us expected after the arrival of Head Coach Jesse Minter. Baltimore ranks 14th in the NFL in yards allowed per game (321.3) and 21st in points (26). Keep in mind, they just faced the Dallas Cowboys, one of the NFL's most talented offenses.
The defense's main problem so far is certainly correctable. They haven't tackled well, which has let opponents off the hook on third down, especially when they've thrown the ball short of the sticks. I think this could just be early-season rust.
Baltimore allowed too many explosive plays against the Cowboys. Some of that's going to happen with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens on the outside, but the Ravens aren't going to use that as an excuse.
The Ravens need safeties Jaylinn Hawkins and Malaki Starks to make more plays. They've been at the center of some of the missed tackles and touchdown passes surrendered over the past two weeks. Both are highly-talented players, and I expect them to get this worked out.
The defense has been really good in spurts. It dominated the Indianapolis Colts for the majority of their game in Week 1. In Week 2, the Ravens gave up just two field goals in the first half against the Saints. After getting off to a slow start against the Cowboys, the Ravens defense held them to just one field goal on the next five drives.
"Defensively, we are chasing consistency," Minter said Monday. "We are chasing getting everybody onto the same page. That starts with me, I would say, and just the plan and our processes of how we get to everything, how we operate."
This Sunday's opponent, the Tennessee Titans, are struggling on offense, ranking 31st in total yards per game (249.3) and 30th in points per game (12.3). This has a chance to be a get-right game for Baltimore's defense.
Brown: It's understandable that Baltimore's offensive line is a concern, especially after the injuries to Jovaughn Gwyn and Ethan Pocic.
According to ESPN research, Baltimore has allowed 33 total pressures and five sacks and has the third-highest pressure rate allowed in the NFL through Week 3.
The Ravens have decisions to make, including whether they will keep rookie Vega Ioane at center, or sign a veteran center and move Ioane back to right guard. They must also hope that left tackle Ronnie Stanley (toe) will be back in the lineup soon, and that his injury won't hamper him all year.
Despite all that, the Ravens are 2-1 and have the NFL's sixth-ranked offense. Lamar Jackson's ability to escape, improvise and execute the offense even when faced with pressure will continue to show as long as he stays healthy.
If Stanley, John Simpson, Ioane and Roger Rosengarten remain healthy and thus give themselves more time to gel, I think the Ravens have an offensive line they can win with. But keep your fingers crossed that injuries along the offensive line won't continue.
Mink: It remains to be seen. The Ravens are definitely going to sign at least one viable center before Sunday's game and will probably add two after Gwyn and Pocic both suffered long-term injuries in Brazil.
Minter said the Ravens will get Ioane ready to start at center on Sunday if needed, and it wouldn't surprise me if he does. Ioane is a smart and physical player – two attributes needed at center. He did a good job in his eight snaps against the Cowboys in the fourth quarter.
I doubt that the Ravens will keep Ioane there for the rest of the season, however. He was drafted as a pure guard and that's his best spot. My expectation is that the Ravens will sign a veteran center and give him a little time to ramp up before becoming the starter. I laid out all the possible scenarios in a story earlier this week.
Brown: I've seen some reports that the Arizona Cardinals might consider moving Harrison, which I suppose is why you're inquiring.
However, I don't think trading for Harrison (or any wide receiver) is high on Baltimore's priority list. Zay Flowers is having a phenomenal start despite his hamstring injury, Rashod Bateman has stepped up, and other wideouts like Devontez Walker, Chris Moore, and LaJohntay Wester have all made plays.
Once Ja'Kobi Lane returns from his injury, I think the Ravens have more than enough depth at wide receiver. I'm not sure what the Cardinals' asking price would be for Harrison, but he's young, talented, and a former first-round pick who would draw interest from other teams. If Harrison does change uniforms, I don't think he'll be headed to Baltimore.
