3 reasons the Baltimore Ravens are Super Bowl contenders
By Noah Zomback
Defense showed up and made big plays:
The offense has been on display pretty much all season now, which is an interesting change in pace for an organization which has always stressed the importance of a dominant defense. This season has been brutally unforgiving for Baltimore when it comes to injuries, especially on the defensive end of the football. Losing key players like Tony Jefferson, Jimmy Smith, and Tavon Young seemed like a recipe for disaster. Luckily, the “next man up” mentality is one that has always dominated the Ravens locker room.
There have been many replacements who have taken great advantage of their sudden uptick of playing time. Some standout defensive performers included Chuck Clark, Josh Bynes, LJ Fort, Maurice Canady, Anthony Averett and rookie Jaylon Ferguson. Chuck Clark is proving himself as more than a viable replacement for injured Tony Jefferson, but also a difference maker.
He played well on Sunday. This defensive performance may have been fueled by Earl Thomas‘ highly anticipated “revenge game” in his return to Seattle. New addition, Marcus Peters, also made an immediate impact; he hauled in Russel Wilson’s first interception on the season and ran it home for six. Star CB Marlon Humphrey also found the end zone after a fumble. If the defense finds their groove, this team will become even more unstoppable.