The Ravens are using takeaways to turn around their season.
Facing the Minnesota Vikings in a noisy road environment, the Ravens remained opportunistic even when they weren't consistent. Winning the turnover battle, 3-0, Baltimore (4-5) earned a hard-fought 27-19 victory and continued to build momentum after its rugged start to the season.
Things looked dark for the Ravens when they were 1-5, but three straight wins have brought renewed optimism and a little swagger back.
"Partially what got us to 1-5 was the fact we came into the season maybe thinking, 'We're the Baltimore Ravens, we're going to do this, we're going to do that, teams are just going to lay down and let us win games,'" safety Kyle Hamilton said. "That's not how it is in this league. We got punched in the mouth early in the season, but now I think we're responding well. We'll just have that scar tissue going forward."
If they handle their business in the next two games against the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets, who are both 2-7, the Ravens will be above .500 when they host the Cincinnati Bengals on Thanksgiving night. That would truly be a reason to be thankful.
Here are my thoughts on the Ravens after a victory that kept the arrow pointed up:
The Ravens are resilient, which is a major reason they remain relevant.
Digging out from a 1-5 hole takes more than talent. It takes belief by teammates and coaches that they have what it takes to turn things around, even when surrounded by doubt and criticism.
Not every team is resilient enough to withstand that kind of atmosphere, and the pressure on the Ravens was ramped up because they entered the season with lofty expectations. However, the Ravens held firm. Much work remains to be done, but the Ravens seem more than up for the challenge.
Head Coach John Harbaugh said he was emotional leaving the field after Sunday's game.
"At the end of the game, I was pretty choked up inside," Harbaugh said. "I didn't shed a tear, I wouldn't let that happen. But how hard they fought, how much they believed, how much courage they showed.
"We're just 4-5, we're still under .500. That's where we're at. We recognize that. We know it's going to a big ,tough, knockdown, drag-out fight in Cleveland next week. Just to get to .500. That's what we're going to be fighting for."
They call Michael Jackson "The King of Pop," but crown Keondre Jackson king of special teams.
An undrafted rookie safety, Keondre Jackson made the biggest play of his young career when he forced a fumble and recovered it while covering a kickoff in the third quarter.
The Ravens had just taken a 12-10 lead, and Jackson's turnover set up the Ravens with a first-and-10 at Minnesota's 23-yard line. Six plays later, Justice Hill's 1-yard touchdown run put Baltimore ahead, 19-10, and the game's momentum had clearly swung in Baltimore's favor.
Jackson has been the Ravens' best special teams player all season, and his energy has taken that unit to another level.
"A lot of people look at the two phases, but in the NFL, all three phases matter," Jackson said.
The defense is dialed in and the turnovers are coming in bunches.
With interceptions by Malaki Starks and Marlon Humphrey to go along with Jackson's fumble recovery, the Ravens had three takeaways for the second consecutive game. They've forced at least two turnovers in every game during their three-game winning streak.
Their defense has found its identity with Alohi Gilman starting at safety next to Starks, and Hamilton moving all over the field causing problems for opponents. Now with interceptions in two straight games, Starks is performing like the playmaker he was at Georgia, showing why he was Baltimore's first-round draft choice.
"God forbid a rookie takes more than seven games in the NFL to get adjusted," Hamilton said. "He is progressing just fine. It's not a surprise to us. He's 21 years old, but he acts like a 31-year-old."
Justin Jefferson of the Vikings may be the best wide receiver in football, but the Ravens held him to 37 yards receiving, with just four catches despite being targeted 12 times. You can't do that unless your defense is connected.
After a rocky start, Baltimore's defense has held opponents to fewer than 20 points in four straight games. The defense is dialed in.
The Ravens can win when their offense isn't on its "A" game.
Baltimore didn't dazzle on offense and didn't reach the end zone until the third quarter. However, Lamar Jackson (17 of 29, 176 yards, one touchdown) didn't turn the ball over against Minnesota's blitz pressure.
Derrick Henry had 75 yards on 20 carries and made tough yards. Keaton Mitchell (four carries, 31 yards) provided a spark, as did Zay Flowers (four catches, 75 yards).
The Ravens' offensive players won't be thrilled when they review the film, but getting a win made it easier to take.
"Everyone's happy when we win, but our mood hasn't changed," Jackson said. "We're still locked in."
Humphrey joked that it's good to give Jackson a "smoke break" every once in a while.
Extra Points:
- Jackson made his 100th career start and raised his career record as a starter to 73-27.
- The victory in Minnesota gave Harbaugh at least one road victory against all 31 NFL opponents.
- Humphrey made his interception despite wearing a cast on his hand. "If I had two hands, I probably would've dropped it," Humphrey said. "The cast may have been good luck."
- Harbaugh praised Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr after the game, after the Ravens stopped Minnesota twice on fourth down. "Zach called a wonderful game," Harbaugh said.
- The Minnesota crowd noise didn't bother the Ravens much. They were penalized just five times for 62 yards, while the Vikings had eight false starts and were whistled 13 times for 102 yards.
