A New, Reverse Trend

[vmax]

 

Ravens are getting stronger and healthier moving forward

The Ravens have won three games so far without their best cornerback, Jimmy Smith, who has been out due to a four game suspension. The Ravens had four active cornerbacks heading into the Steelers game and now have the depth to have a better secondary with Smith back.

When he is healthy and on the field, Smith is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL and is looking to make his 2018 debut hopefully this Sunday.

The secondary has shut out receiving cores like the Bengals, Broncos, and Steelers after bad starts in each of those games.

Eric Weddle and Tony Jefferson have made plays so far this year, most recently with Jefferson stripping the ball from Vance McDonald and giving the Ravens an edge from the start of the Steelers game.

Marlon Humphery and Brandon Carr have looked great on the outside with Tavon Young in the slot, other than the Bengals game. Carr had two key pass breakups that could have led to Steelers touchdowns and both Humphery and Carr (who has an interception this season) combined have double-digit pass breakups (11 pass deflections).

Both Michael Pierce and C.J. Mosley playing in this game made an impact as Mosley missed most of the Bengals game and all of the Broncos game with a knee bone bruise. Pierce missed last week with a foot injury and both him and Mosley made a big impact in stopping James Conner.

Rookie Kenny Young looked good once again as the rotation second inside linebacker with Patrick Onwuasor rotating as the other starter in the middle.

Rookie tight end Hayden Hurst had a stress foot fracture last month and is hopefully looking to make his debut in Week 5 against the Cleveland Browns as he was listed as a late inactive last night. Willie Henry also was practicing last week as he could play as soon as this week as he was dealing with an abdomen injury the last couple weeks.

If everyone that has been out so far comes back healthy and ready, this Ravens team could be even better than they are right now....https://nflmocks.com/2018/10/01/baltimore-ravens-vs-pittsburgh-steelers-three-things-learned/2/

 

Usually, by this time of the season, it feels like the Ravens have 19 players on IR.

This trend seems to be reversing.

We have seem how deep this team is in talent as they have gone 3-1 without some very key players. That's a good sign too.

This next quarter of the season they face the Browns, Titans, Saints and Panthers so having all hands on deck is huge. A split will have them at 5-3 with the bulk of their remaining games at home.

Things are looking up!

[vmax]

There is another new reverse trend....

 

 

These definitely aren’t the same Ravens. Their last two trips ended with Pittsburgh scoring in the last minute to beat Baltimore.

On Sunday, the NFL’s top-ranked defense held quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the league’s No. 2 offense to a total of 47 yards after halftime.

In today's game in which offenses light up the scoreboard, Baltimore's defense can still roll up its sleeves and play old-school football. The Ravens are the first team since 2006 not to allow a second-half touchdown in each of their first four games, according to ESPN Stats & Information. This season, Baltimore has given up a total of nine points after halftime....http://www.espn.com/blog/baltimore-ravens/post/_/id/46476/in-age-of-offense-ravens-defense-flexes-muscles-against-steelers

 

The Ravens D is focused and learning how to finish.

[vmax]

And yea.....let's throw in one more....they have a legit passing attack.

Definitely a reverse trend.

[varaven45]

Max, another would be not laying an egg after a big win. Lets see if they can reverse that trend on Sunday ?

Cleveland's playing another Super Bowl this weekend.

[oldno82]

I agree vraven. A letdown is possible. It's up to Harbaugh to keep them focused.

 

Love the reverse trends. Getting people back after going 3-1 in first four games is huge. I can't wait to see Hayden Hurst.

[varaven45]

Yep, our D needs to smother Mayfield the very first series and keep its foot on his throat. If given a chance, that kid can whip the fans into as frenzy.

 

As for our O, I love what Joe is doing in sharing the rock. Would love to see Hurst on the receiving end on Sunday.

 

Gut feeling; this is a close (FG) game.