Ravens' Record Against Top-Level Quarterbacks Is a Concern Heading Into Homestretch
The Ravens have not fared well against Pro Bowl-level quarterbacks this season, a trend they will have to reverse as they look to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Baltimore Banner’s Jonas Shaffer identified the Ravens' biggest flaws, and their inability to beat teams with standouts under center was among them.
"After the Ravens returned from their bye, life sure got easier for their defense," Shaffer wrote. "Top-line quarterbacks were finally out of the picture: Caleb Williams in Week 8, Tua Tagovailoa in Week 9, J.J. McCarthy in Week 10, Dillon Gabriel (and then Shedeur Sanders) in Week 11 and Tyrod Taylor in Week 12. The Ravens won five straight games, never allowing more than 20 points.
"Now they're back to a problem that's bedeviled the defense all season: Are they good enough to stop Pro Bowl-level passers? It hasn't happened yet."
Six of the Ravens' seven losses are to teams with quarterbacks who fit Shaffer's definition: the Buffalo Bills (Josh Allen), Detroit Lions (Jared Goff), Kansas City Chiefs (Patrick Mahomes), Houston Texans (C.J. Stroud), Los Angeles Rams (Matthew Stafford), and Cincinnati Bengals (Joe Burrow).
"Add it all up, and the damage allowed is significant: 258.7 passing yards per game, 14 touchdowns, zero interceptions, 67.6% accuracy and an 0-6 record," Shaffer wrote. "On the basis of expected points added per play, every quarterback but Stafford played at or above a Pro Bowl level against coordinator Zach Orr's defense.
"It's not just the accuracy and playmaking ability that stars like Burrow bring to the table. It's also the presnap problem-solving. In a 32-14 win in Week 13, Burrow appeared to get Cincinnati into seven-man protections several times against the Ravens' potential heavy-pressure looks. Despite having just three downfield routes quickly available, he converted a third-and-11, a third-and-10, a third-and-7 and a third-and-6 and connected with wide receiver Andrei Iosivas for a 29-yard touchdown on a third-and-9."
The Ravens will face Burrow for the second time in three weeks Sunday in Cincinnati.
"If the Ravens can handle Burrow, the next two weeks won't be any easier," Shaffer wrote. "The Patriots' Drake Maye is second in the NFL in EPA per play. The Packers' Jordan Love is first."
The Ravens conclude the season against Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers in Pittsburgh. While the 42-year-old, four-time MVP hasn't made the Pro Bowl since 2021, he is still capable of playing at a high level, as evidenced by his performance in a win over the Ravens this past Sunday.
Ravens Among Teams Under Most Pressure to Win This Week
NFL.com’s Kevin Patra named the five teams most in need of a win this week. Unsurprisingly, the Ravens were on the list.
"There are rollercoasters, then there is whatever the heck the Ravens are riding this season," Patra wrote. "A 1-5 start, in which the defense couldn't stop a runny nose, was buttressed by a five-game win streak in which they didn't allow 20 points. Then, with the division lead in their grasp, they kerplunked back-to-back AFC North home games."
The odds are against the Ravens making the playoffs, but they do control their own destiny. Win out and they're in. They still have a chance to get in if they go 3-1, and there's even a scenario in which they could split their remaining games and sneak in with a losing record.
So, while Sunday's game against the Bengals technically isn't a must-win, a victory would be a significant first step. Patra said getting the offense back on track is crucial.
"The offensive inconsistency has mirrored the Ravens' tumultuous season," Patra wrote. "Baltimore has a 40.6% play success rate, per NGS. For comparison, that's 0.1% higher than the 3-win Saints, who have started Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough at quarterback. The red zone has been a particular issue. They rank near the bottom of the league in red-zone success rate this season at 32.9%. During their two-game skid, that success rate fell to 21.4%. Baltimore must find a way to reach paydirt more efficiently down the stretch to keep its season alive.
"It starts with Sunday's rematch against Cincy. On Thanksgiving night, the Ravens moved the ball but turned it over five times, allowing the Bengals to run away with the game. If Lamar Jackson can't protect the ball and beat a pillow-soft defense, Baltimore has no shot at resurrecting the season. The Ravens finish up with the 11-2 Patriots, 9-3-1 Packers and a rematch with division-leading Pittsburgh. If they don't win on Sunday, that Week 18 rivalry matchup could end up being meaningless."
Maurice Jones-Drew: Derrick Henry Is the Key to Ravens Making a Playoff Push
Derrick Henry's stats are not as eye-popping as they were in his spectacular 2024 season, but he is still one of the best running backs in the league.
Henry is sixth in rushing yards (1,025), fourth among running backs in rushing touchdowns (10), tied for sixth in 20+-yard runs (seven), and tied for third in 40+-yard runs (three).
NFL.com analyst Maurice Jones-Drew put Henry at No. 7 in his top 15 running back rankings.
"Even in a 'down' season, the five-time Pro Bowler still eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards with four games to go, becoming the fourth player in NFL history to have 1,000-plus rush yards and 10-plus rush TDs in at least seven career seasons, along with Adrian Peterson (seven) and Hall of Famers LaDainian Tomlinson (eight) and Emmitt Smith (seven),"Jones-Drew wrote.
Jones-Drew said Henry's play will be key down the stretch.
"With the Ravens getting some up-and-down play from Lamar Jackson, they'll need Henry to take over – like he has so many times before – in the final month of the season to make a real playoff push," Jones-Drew wrote.
