AFC North round-up: Baltimore Ravens have uneven start to 2020
We’re officially one month into football, so it’s time to look at the Baltimore Ravens and the rest of the AFC North and see how they all did to start 2020.
Baltimore Ravens:
September record: 2-1
AFC North record: 1-0
Player of the month: Lamar Jackson – 53/77 COMP/ATT, 576-yards, five touchdowns, zero interceptions, 182 rushing yards, zero rushing touchdowns
They haven’t lived up to our ungodly expectations, but the Baltimore Ravens are still 3-1 on the young season, including a 2-1 record in the month of September. Unfortunately, they currently sit at second place in the AFC North, albeit they’re just a half-game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nonetheless, this Ravens team has been somewhat underwhelming.
Related Story. Ravens Rivals: Takeaways from the AFC North after week four. light
Right now, Baltimore is missing the big-play ability that the team had mastered in 2019. There’s been far too much inconsistency from 2019 Pro Bowlers Mark Ingram and Mark Andrews, who were both pivotal to the team’s success last season. It’s limited the play of Lamar Jackson, who has naturally come back down to Earth after a ridiculous MVP season. Overall, the offense hasn’t been what it could be.
The same can be said defensively. The pass rush remains a major concern despite investments to improve it this offseason. That’s led to too many big plays given up. With all the star power on this defense, they’re simply playing at an unacceptable level currently.
It is way too early to even begin writing the Baltimore Ravens off in the AFC North, but the competition looks fierce. Baltimore will need to get their act together sooner rather than later.