Baltimore downs Tampa Bay: Handing out 3 Ravens game balls

The Baltimore Ravens move to 8-6 on the season with a shot at the division crown following their win vs. Tampa Bay. Time to hand out 3 game balls.

Marlon Humphrey:

Marlon Humphrey was identified as one of the most crucial players needed for a win vs. the Buccaneers by us here, and he certainly showed up. Mike Evans may have had a nice day in the Fantasy Football world (four receptions for 121-yards), but he failed to give Tampa Bay any sort of definitive edge vs. Baltimore.

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Against the Ravens secondary, Evans caught less than 50% of passes thrown his way and watched Humphrey notch his first interception of 2018 while covering him. While Humphrey’s interception was certainly his flashiest play of the day, it was his four pass deflections that truly caught our attention.

The more Humphrey continues to play like this, the less patient Ravens Flock becomes in him receiving recognition for his talents. Humphrey is playing at a Pro Bowl level and we can recognize what he’s doing better than most. Giving Marlon Humphrey a game ball was an incredibly easy decision here.

Gus Edwards:

Gus Edwards continues running through his opponents (literally) while shocking the world on a week-to-week basis. It’s crazy to think that Edwards was undrafted in 2018, considering how effective he’s been with Baltimore. Now through the last five games, Edwards has 486 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 96 carries (5.1 YPC).

The combination of Edwards and Lamar Jackson (more on him momentarily) has given the Ravens the best thunder-and-lightning duo in the entire NFL. The two of them have given life to both the team’s run game and offense entirely. Baltimore’s newfound offensive identity has the team 4-1, nearly 5-0, since their week 10 bye week, and it’s laregly because of Edwards and the run game.

Against the Buccaneers, Edwards topped 100-yards and a touchdown that would end up being the final nail in the coffin vs. Tampa Bay. Edwards hard-running wore down the Buccaneers defense and he broke off a season/career high 26-yard run. Gus-Bus ran all over Tampa Bay, and this makes him entirely deserving of our second game ball.

Lamar Jackson:

It’s hard to not give Lamar Jackson a game ball after having such a stellar and near flawless performance in a win vs. the Buccaneers. “Action” Jackson was efficient as a passer and electrifying as a runner once again, and it turned out to be the biggest difference for the Ravens.

Jackson completed 60.9% of his pass attempts and threw a shovel pass to Chris Moore for the team’s first touchdown. With his legs, Jackson tore apart Tampa Bay for 95-yards. It should be noted that Jackson had over 100-yards rushing at one point during the game before taking a few kneel downs.

Jackson did exactly what we’d hoped he would do against a porous defense such as the Buccaneers. Was it outstanding? Not really, but it was way more than enough to get the job done. Jackson is now 4-1 as a starter for Baltimore and could very easily be 5-0 if not for some defensive shortcomings vs. the Chiefs. What he did against Tampa Bay alone, however, is what has Jackson earning our final game ball.

The 8-6 Baltimore Ravens control their own destiny moving forward. The AFC North divisional crown is within grasps, and the Ravens absolutely have the rest of the AFC’s attention. Regardless, the Ravens are almost locked into a playoff spot, and Jackson can take them deep into the postseason. The defense is dominant and no one can stop this run game. So long as the team keeps doing what they’re doing, the sky is the limit. As for this week, Baltimore owes their victory to many, but these three young men standout more so than others.