NFL Power Rankings Week Seven, Ravens Running Up Score?

Oct 19, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) is congratulated by wide receiver Steve Smith, Sr. (89) after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to Lunchtime Links, where we round up all the latest Baltimore Ravens news from around the web for your convenient consumption. Today we review the early Monday NFL power rankings week seven, talk about the Ravens stout defensive performance the last two weeks, Steve Smith takes a shot at the NFC South, and debate whether or not the Ravens were running up the score Sunday.

NFL Power Rankings Week Seven

"Week 7 will go down in the books as a record-setting day for Peyton Manning, Jamaal Charles and DeMarco Murray. It will also be a forgettable week in Seattle, San Francisco and New Orleans as playoff contenders suffer brutal losses.The rankings see a big change this week, as the Dallas Cowboys continue to dominate and the Denver Broncos move to establish themselves as the best team in the entire league. But don’t rule out elite quarterback play in Indianapolis and Green Bay as we look for the best team in the NFL.With mid-season almost here, how do the rankings shake out?"

NFL Power Rankings Week Seven, Pt. 2

"The Dallas Cowboys retain the No. 1 spot in the updated NFL power rankings, while the Denver Broncos and a record-setting Peyton Manning closed the gap.We are rapidly approaching the midway point of the 2014-15 NFL regular season and the Dallas Cowboys were able to hang on to the top spot with their sixth consecutive win of the year."

Ravens Get Defensive Against Falcons

"The Baltimore Ravens have a longstanding tradition of playing lockdown defense — a trait the current unit intends to uphold.Elvis Dumervil and Pernell McPhee each had two sacks, and Baltimore punished Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan in a 29-7 victory Sunday.One week after scoring 48 points at Tampa Bay, the Ravens (5-2) built a 17-0 halftime lead in their second straight blowout."

Flacco Praises Owen Daniels for Making Tough Catches

"Joe Flacco says he can always count on tight end Owen Daniels to make catches in traffic."

Ravens Linebackers Bring the Heat

More from Ebony Bird

"Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan barely had a moment to protect himself and the football. Ryan hunched over at the last second as Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs barreled up the middle to crash into him for a safety.Suggs went unblocked late in the fourth quarter, looping inside on a stunt while the Falcons’ blockers slid over to account for defensive tackle Haloti Ngata. It marked the Ravens’ fifth sack during a 29-7 victory over the Falcons on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium and the ninth time they would hit Ryan."

Steve Smith: NFC South is a Finesse Division

"The Ravens have now outscored three NFC South teams (Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Falcons) by a combined score of 115-34. That’s an average margin of 27 points. Wide receiver Steve Smith, who played in that division for 13 years, didn’t sound surprised by the results. “NFC South is a finesse division,” Smith said. “The AFC North is a physical, downhill, blue-collar football.” The Ravens’ last game against the NFC South is Nov. 24, a “Monday Night Football” game at New Orleans."

John Harbaugh Says He Wasn’t Running Up the Score

"When the Baltimore Ravens scored their final touchdown in a 29-7 win Sunday, there were some Atlanta Falcons players who were visibly upset by Joe Flacco throwing a 39-yard strike on fourth down with 1 minute and 46 seconds remaining.Former Ravens cornerback Josh Wilson was animated in talking with Flacco on the field and pointed in the direction of coach John Harbaugh.“Well, maybe I have more respect for their team than they do,” Harbaugh said after the game. “I mean, it’s a 13-point game at that point with plenty of time left on the clock.”"

Home/Ravens News