Isaiah Stumpf:
Wow, can you believe it? We’re already halfway through the NFL season. The league has had some surprises, while some teams showed that they are who everyone thought they were.
The hometown squad has propelled themselves to a 5-2 record and is perched at the top of the AFC North. Let’s get a birds-eye view on how the team as a whole has performed, along with some individual highlights.
The first four weeks of the season left much to be desired. Zero pass rush, the secondary was playing horribly, and the linebacking core was unable to perform at a high enough level against good offenses. After an embarrassing loss to the Browns at home, Eric DeCosta and co decided to make a few changes. In the following three days, the team added linebackers LJ Fort and Josh Bynes to the underperforming core.
In the two weeks following Baltimore won both contests allowing fewer than 300 total yards. However, that wouldn’t be the only upgrade made of the defensive side of the ball. DeCosta made an out-of-nowhere addition when he traded Kenny Young and a fifth-round pick for cornerback Marcus Peters. The acquisition paid dividends immediately as Peters had a pick-six in his first game as a Raven.
The team as a whole has had its ups and downs. The defense has struggled, but have tightened up. The offense has been consistent for the most part but looks stagnant at times especially in the red zone. Having one of the toughest schedules in the second of the season, Baltimore has put themselves in a prime position to take the brunt of their schedule with full force. With a 2.5 game advantage over the second-place Steelers, they have given themselves the ability to not play with their tails between their legs. Harbaugh will be able to continue his aggressiveness, something that he has been both praised and criticized for. The team realizes it’s weaknesses and have found ways to improve upon them.
Lamar Jackson has provided stellar play from the quarterback position, both with his arm and legs. It’s debatable that Jackson may be in the conversation for MVP. At times, Jackson has single-handedly carried the offense and kept the team in games. He is the unanimous mid-season MVP of not only the offense but the team as well. He is well on his way to set a new record for most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season, not to mention he’s also on pace to throw for over 3,000-yards. The guy can do it all and has won over many critics while making those who supported him look like geniuses. While he still has some humps to get over, it’s safe to say that the Ravens are in good hands at the most important position.
On the defense, the MVP has to be awarded to cornerback Marlon Humphrey. Humphrey is playing at an all-pro level, shutting down the opposing teams too receiver on a weekly basis. Humphrey has seven pass defenses, two interceptions, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and a touchdown. #44 has solidified himself as a legitimate lockdown corner. He completely shuts down whatever side of the field he is on. This is why he is the mid-season defensive MVP of the Ravens.
All in all, Baltimore looks primed to make a push for the postseason. They are fully in control of the North and have shown the ability to compete with the top tier teams in the AFC. Confidence is high in charm city, and with a huge week nine showdown against the undefeated Patriots, the Ravens are looking to slay the dragon that has terrorized the rest of the league this season.
Midseason Grade: B+