Grading the Ravens at midway point of 2023 season
The Baltimore Ravens are sitting quite well at the midway point of the 2023 season. They hold both the No. 2 seed in the AFC and first place in the AFC North standings. The Ravens have had a multitude of keen contributors on both sides of the ball so far this year. From Gus Edwards […]
The Baltimore Ravens are sitting quite well at the midway point of the 2023 season. They hold both the No. 2 seed in the AFC and first place in the AFC North standings.
The Ravens have had a multitude of keen contributors on both sides of the ball so far this year. From Gus Edwards leading Baltimore’s ground game to Roquan Smith anchoring the Ravens’ No. 1 ranked defense, the current AFC North leaders are enjoying a dream start to the 2023 campaign.
Here is how Baltimore’s offense and defense have fared through the first half of the season.
Ravens offense: B+
The Lamar Jackson-led Ravens offense has had its fair share of highs and lows this season.
Jackson and company have logged video game-like numbers in multiple contests, including in Baltimore’s 37-3 win over the Seattle Seahawks. From the season-high 298 rushing yards recorded to the stout 6.9 yards per play average, Seattle simply had an answer for Baltimore on the day.
The Ravens have had other games in which they looked like a shell of their former selves. One can not forget about their sluggish outing against the Pittsburgh Steelers last month where turnovers marred their overall performance.
In the big picture, Baltimore sure must feel pleased about whether its offense stands at this stage in the season, especially considering how its run game has led the way. With J.K. Dobbins no longer in the fold due to the season-ending torn Achilles injury he suffered in September, Edwards and Justice Hill have responded by helping Baltimore boast one of the more dynamic rushing attacks in the NFL today.
Ravens defense: A+
Baltimore’s defense has been on quite a historic run as of late.
The Ravens currently rank first in multiple defensive stats, from points per game allowed (13.8) to total sacks (35). They have also tallied 13 total takeaways through nine games played.
Even as Baltimore’s defense has dealt with injury after injury, Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald has managed to weather the storm with ease. For one, he called on Geno Stone to fill in for safety Marcus Williams in the team's last three games, and the former seventh-round pick responded by hauling in one interception in each contest.
Look for Baltimore’s defense to continue to have its way over the remainder of the campaign.
