What do you get when an NFL team shows its true potential? You get the Baltimore Ravens performance over the Detroit Lions on Sunday. A 38-6 clobbering of a 5-1 football team on a four-game winning streak. Baltimore returned home after a tough three-game road trip and showed exactly the kind of team they can be. With Terrell Suggs getting inducted into the Ring of Honor and other Ravens of the past in attendance, such as Ray Lewis, Jonathan Ogden, Jamal Lewis, Matt Stover, Brian Billick, Haloti Ngata, and Marshal Yanda in the building, and the team’s performance, it was a special atmosphere at M&T Bank Stadium.
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Ravens Show True Potential Against Detroit
Offensive Explosion
I’ve mentioned before about the offense being a work in progress. With a new offensive coordinator and system, lack of chemistry thanks to no starters playing in the preseason, and injuries, it was always going to be a week-to-week process with this offense. Through the first six games, it definitely looked like it. There were a couple of good outings, some so-so performances, and very bad games. They were a work in progress. On Sunday, they were the full project come to life. The offense played up to their ability for the first time since Week 2, and it was even better.
The offensive line protected quarterback Lamar Jackson all game. As a matter of fact, the Lions hit Jackson once. That’s it. Speaking of Jackson, he played his best game of the season. His best since Week 2. He was precise, accurate, patient, and threw the ball all over the field. He threw three touchdowns, added in a rushing touchdown, with 357 yards passing. Jackson was back in form after some struggles over the past couple of weeks. Zay Flowers continued to make big plays. Odell Beckham Jr. had his best day as a Raven, with five receptions for 49 yards. Mark Andrews caught two touchdowns on National Tight End Day. Nelson Agholor caught a touchdown. Gus Edwards was great on the ground and even caught a pass from Jackson and took it 80 yards. Overall, it was a banner day for the Ravens offense and Todd Monken.
Defense Continues To Be Dominant
The defense has been the one consistent aspect of the Ravens this season. They haven’t had a bad game all year to this point. With Suggs, Lewis, Ngata, and Michael McCrary in attendance, they again displayed how good they are. The pass rush, once again, was as good as any in the NFL. They sacked Jared Goff five times and pressured him all game. Kyle Van Noy registered two sacks, and he keeps impacting the defense after being signed just a few weeks ago. Odafe Oweh made his return from injury and had a sack. Geno Stone intercepted Goff for his league-leading fourth pick of the year. Roquan Smith had a big pass breakup in the back of the end zone on a 4th down. They were so good it looked like they would pitch a shutout, and they almost did—another stellar outing from defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald’s unit.
What’s Next?
Up next on the docket is yet another trip on the road. This time to the desert, the Ravens will look to continue their momentum against the 1-6 Arizona Cardinals, coming off a 20-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The Ravens are 5-2 lifetime against Arizona.
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Main Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
