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It is time to give the Baltimore Ravens and coach John Harbaugh the credit score they deserve for the place the Ravens sit after six weeks of the 2021 NFL season.
The Ravens have ripped off 5 straight victories after an opening-week loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, nevertheless it’s the way in which they’ve finished it that has Harbaugh deserving a great deal of accolades. The Ravens have had 16 gamers on injured reserve this season, a number of key ones amongst them, but right here they’re, heading right into a key division sport with the Cincinnati Bengals this week (sure, I simply wrote that), sitting atop the AFC North and clearly being the most effective groups within the convention.
The Ravens simply beat the Los Angeles Chargers, 31-6, Sunday in a sport that was by no means unsure. Six days after seeing Lamar Jackson carve up the Indianapolis Colts together with his arm, the Ravens acquired again to their run-it-and-play-great-defense sport plan from current years.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had no likelihood Sunday as he was sacked 5 instances, picked off as soon as, and hardly appeared just like the MVP candidate he was coming into the sport. The Ravens confused him with a bunch of various appears and the Chargers by no means adjusted.
As for the Baltimore offense, it was the bottom sport that gained the sport. The Ravens ran for 187 yards, averaged 4.9 yards per carry, and pushed the Chargers protection round. It was so good that getting old backs Le’Veon Bell, Latavius Murray and Devonta Freeman all scored touchdowns.
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None of these backs have been on the roster this summer season. However accidents to J.Ok. Dobbins and Gus Edwards pressured the Ravens to make strikes to replenish the operating again room. These injured Ravens will not be alone. They’ve additionally misplaced cowl nook Marcus Peters for the yr, needed to take care of offensive line accidents all season, in addition to getting hit with accidents exterior to their receivers.
By way of all of it, Jackson has carried the crew as he is performed at an MVP degree together with his passing, which has improved dramatically, but he stays the identical dynamic runner we have seen over time.
The Ravens are as much as No. 6 in my Energy Rankings this week as they prepared for the Bengals. Navigating the early a part of the season the way in which he has, Harbaugh has made himself a professional Coach of the 12 months candidate.
If the Ravens beat the Bengals, they may have command of the division simply as they’re beginning to get some injured guys again wholesome. Be careful for the Ravens come January since they’ve already made it by a brutal stretch.
Largest Movers
|
Rk |
Groups |
Chg |
Rcrd |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
|
Profitable with out coach Kliff Kingsbury on the street at Cleveland speaks volumes about this crew. They’re the true deal. | — | 6-0-0 |
2 |
|
They’ve a variety of accidents on protection, however they held up in opposition to the Bears. It wasn’t at all times fairly final week, however good groups discover a method to win these video games. It is a good crew. | 1 | 5-1-0 |
3 |
|
They appeared dominant on the street in opposition to the Giants. The Giants aren’t a great crew, however the way in which they did it exhibits how spectacular this crew cam be. Matt Stafford is off to a pleasant begin. | 1 | 5-1-0 |
4 |
|
As soon as they get wholesome on protection, they may seem like the Tremendous Bowl crew from a yr in the past. The offense can roll up massive numbers rapidly with Tom Brady and people weapons. | 2 | 5-1-0 |
5 |
|
They dominated the Patriots for a lot of the sport, but nonetheless needed to win in time beyond regulation. The offense was particular, however they turned the ball over in key spots. Dak Prescott is within the MVP dialog. | 2 | 5-1-0 |
6 |
|
The Ravens abused the Chargers on either side of the ball. The play of the protection is an efficient signal going ahead, particularly with the Bengals on faucet this week. | 2 | 5-1-0 |
7 |
|
What occurred to the protection Monday night time? Even Josh Allen could not bail them out. The choice to go for the landing late was the proper name. | 5 | 4-2-0 |
8 |
|
That was a horrible exhibiting at Baltimore. They hardly resembled the crew that was being talked about as a Tremendous Bowl contender. | 3 | 4-2-0 |
9 |
|
They arrive off the bye at 3-2 on the verge of getting a variety of key injured gamers again. Be careful as they get more healthy. Sean Payton has finished a pleasant job with this crew. | 2 | 3-2-0 |
10 |
|
In opposition to Washington, they lastly appeared nearer to the Tremendous Bowl crew from the previous two years. The protection wasn’t a catastrophe, which is progress. | 2 | 3-3-0 |
11 |
|
A lot for lacking Jon Gruden. They beat up on Denver with out Gruden, who resigned final week in a scandal. That claims so much about this crew. | 3 | 4-2-0 |
12 |
|
At 4-2, they play an enormous sport this week with the Ravens with first place at stake. Sure, first place. The protection confirmed nicely in opposition to the Lions. | 4 | 4-2-0 |
13 |
|
They nonetheless have main defensive points, however they confirmed in beating the Payments that they will play with anyone when the offense is clicking. Simply give it to Derrick Henry. | 3 | 4-2-0 |
14 |
|
They acquired beat up good by the Cardinals at residence. The discuss of any Tremendous Bowl needs to be placed on maintain for now. They’ve points with so many accidents. | 5 | 3-3-0 |
15 |
|
They’ve gained two straight to get to 3-3 after beating the Panthers in time beyond regulation. The offense acquired again on observe after just a few so-so video games, which is an efficient signal. | 7 | 3-3-0 |
16 |
|
They made it attention-grabbing in opposition to the Seahawks, however discovered a method to win it in time beyond regulation. At 3-3, they’ve gained two straight and issues are trying up. | 7 | 3-3-0 |
17 |
|
As Carson Wentz will get higher every week, so do the Colts. They’re getting wholesome after a sluggish begin, which is why they’re again within the division race. | 7 | 2-4-0 |
18 |
|
Sam Darnold has been atypical the previous few weeks, opening up the discuss once more that they want a quarterback to construct round. He is struggled the previous few weeks. | 3 | 3-3-0 |
19 |
|
Justin Fields has had some flashes, however he’s too inconsistent to win every week proper now. There can be rising pains with rookie starters – and he is having some. | 6 | 3-3-0 |
20 |
|
They battled at Pittsburgh with Geno Smith at quarterback, however they only have a unique really feel with out Russell Wilson. At 2-4, with Wilson probably out one other month or so, they’ve main issues. | 3 | 2-4-0 |
21 |
|
They’ve misplaced three straight video games and did not look good for a lot of that loss to the Raiders. Is the warmth again on Vic Fangio? It might be. | 3 | 3-3-0 |
22 |
|
They arrive off their bye with the probability that Jimmy Garoppolo might be again at quarterback. They can not let the Cardinals and Rams get too far-off within the division. | 3 | 2-3-0 |
23 |
|
They made it shut in opposition to Tampa Bay, nevertheless it actually wasn’t that type of sport. Sooner or later, they must run the ball higher. | 3 | 2-4-0 |
24 |
|
They fought onerous in opposition to the Cowboys, however the actuality is that they did not sluggish them down a lot on protection. They’re off to an 0-4 begin at residence this season. | 3 | 2-4-0 |
25 |
|
The Falcons come off their bye with a sport in opposition to Miami. Well being has been a serious downside for them early, however a few of their wounded can be coming again quickly. | — | 2-3-0 |
26 |
|
A lot for the concept that this crew would compete for the division title. The protection has actually allow them to down as they sit at 2-4 on the yr. | — | 2-4-0 |
27 |
|
With all of the accidents on offense, Daniel Jones had his worst sport of the season in opposition to the Rams. The Giants have been horrible in that sport on either side of the ball, which drops them to 1-5. | — | 1-5-0 |
28 |
|
City Meyer and Trevor Lawrence acquired their first NFL victory final week, which has to really feel good going into the bye. Lawrence is rising as a quarterback every week. | 4 | 1-5-0 |
29 |
|
It is official after the loss to the Jaguars: Brian Flores is on the recent seat. This was thought-about a possible playoff crew, however now they’re 1-5, which isn’t a great search for Flores. | 1 | 1-5-0 |
30 |
|
They will not win a variety of video games this yr, however that was to be anticipated. Now comes all of the speak about what to do with Deshaun Watson and when to commerce him. | 1 | 1-5-0 |
31 |
|
They higher hope rookie passer Zach Wilson makes use of the bye to deal with his sport. He has actually struggled to start out his profession. | 1 | 1-4-0 |
32 |
|
After weeks of taking part in shut video games, they acquired dominated by the Bengals. They’re simply too undermanned. Can they go 0-17? It is potential. | 1 | 0-6-0 |
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