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Ebony Bird Round-Table: Midseason report cards for Baltimore Ravens

By Richard Bradshaw

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 13: Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with teammates after making an interception against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 13: Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with teammates after making an interception against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 20: Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens (middle) celebrates with teammates after scoring an 18-yard touchdown off a fumble by D.K. Metcalf #14 of the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter during their game at CenturyLink Field on October 20, 2019, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 20: Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens (middle) celebrates with teammates after scoring an 18-yard touchdown off a fumble by D.K. Metcalf #14 of the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter during their game at CenturyLink Field on October 20, 2019, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Richard Bradshaw:

After a rough start to the 2019 season, the Baltimore Ravens have turned it around and look like a legit contender in the AFC. If not for the undefeated New England Patriots, a strong case could be made for the Ravens to be the best team in the conference. They’ll have a chance to prove themselves on Sunday Night Football week nine vs. those same Patriots.

Until then, Baltimore looks like a completely different team then what we’ve become accustomed to seeing. Rather than playing with an elite defense, the team is using a dynamic offense to outscore opponents. Lamar Jackson is an MVP candidate, and with a strong run game, solid receiving core, and an above-average offensive line, the unit is top-five across the entire league.

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If the defense can get back on track and match-up with its talent, this team is legit. It’s weird to see the defense struggling so much, but in recent years they’ve had slow starts to the season before getting it back together. I believe that’ll be the case this year, but the addition of Marcus Peters may be what puts it over the top again.

Marlon Humphrey has played like the best cornerback in the league, with Earl Thomas behind him and Peters and soon Jimmy Smith across from him, the secondary will become a force to be reckoned with. They’ll have to be, as the pass rush is practically nonexistent…

Overall, the 2019 Baltimore Ravens have surpassed the media’s expectations for them and have played like we believed they could’ve entering the season. If the defense catches up to the offense, this is a Super Bowl-caliber team. Until that happens, the Ravens will have to “settle” for an A- from me due to their current hot-streak. Sorry for the recency bias!

Grade: A-

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