The Ravens need to catch fire, and sometimes just one victory can light the match.
If Lamar Jackson returns Sunday to face the Chicago Bears, it will obviously energize everyone who watches him run out of the tunnel at M&T Bank Stadium. However, even if Jackson doesn't play, the spark could come from a variety of sources.
Roquan Smith, one of the team's emotional leaders, will be back in the lineup facing his former team for the first time. Smith's energy runs smoking hot through the entire defense.
Pro Bowl fullback Patrick Ricard will make his season debut, serving as a battering ram for Derrick Henry. They don't call Ricard "Pancake Pat" for nothing, and he's hungry to throw some bone-crushing blocks.
The Ravens are healthier than they've been in some time, and Head Coach John Harbaugh is 14-3 in games that immediately follow the bye. Having lost four straight games, the Ravens have had two weeks to prepare, and they'll have some new wrinkles for Chicago no matter who plays quarterback. The Ravens need Sunday's game badly and they know it.
"People are coming here thinking we're slim pickings right now and just a free win," safety Kyle Hamilton said. "It's up to us to kill that narrative and get it turned around."
The Ravens have won at least five straight games in each of the previous three seasons. A victory on Sunday would be a good place to start another hot streak. Here are my thoughts on the Ravens, all in 50 words or less:
- Smith began his career in Chicago and has fond memories of the Windy City. But he bleeds purple and black now, and players often rise to the occasion when facing their former team. This is a huge game for the Ravens, and I expect Smith to loom large.
- Even without Smith, the Ravens' defense improved against the Los Angeles Rams. New safety Alohi Gilman looked comfortable in his first game with Baltimore, and his presence gave Hamilton more freedom to unleash his versatility. I think Baltimore's defense will continue to make strides.
- New pass rusher Carl Lawson won't play against the Bears, but he's an important midseason addition to the practice squad. The Ravens enter Week 8 tied for last in the league with just eight sacks. Any punch that Lawson brings to their pass rush will be welcomed.
- Baltimore's run defense, which ranks 26th in the NFL, will be tested by the Bears, especially if running back D'Andre Swift plays. Swift is questionable (groin) but has run for 232 yards and a touchdown in his last two games. Swift's status for Sunday is something to watch.
- The Ravens' decision to go with Huntley as the No. 2 quarterback wasn't a surprise. He can make things happen with his arm and legs, and Cooper Rush threw four interceptions in two starts. Turning the ball over as a backup quarterback is a no-no.
- The Ravens have scored touchdowns on 44.4% of their red zone trips this season, tied for 30th in the NFL. The Rams' goal-line stand against Baltimore in Week 6 was the game's turning point. When the Ravens reach the red zone Sunday, they need to come away with seven points.
- The Ravens only have one game this season when they didn't commit a turnover – Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns. Not surprisingly, Baltimore won. If the Ravens are going to make a run at the playoffs, they have to take better care of the football.
- Whether it's Huntley or Jackson, Ravens quarterbacks must be wary of Bears safety Kevin Byard. He's tied for the NFL lead with four interceptions, and he made big plays against Baltimore while playing for the Tennessee Titans.
- The Ravens play three straight road games after they face Chicago, which is another reason why Sunday's game is huge. Baltimore has lost three straight at "The Bank." It's time for them to protect their house.
- There's no denying that 1-5 is a deep hole. However, four days after hosting the Bears, the Ravens will visit the Miami Dolphins on "Thursday Night Football." If the Ravens win both of those games, they'll quickly be 3-5. Don't count them out.
