Awarding superlatives for Baltimore Ravens at mid-season mark

The Baltimore Ravens mid-season awards are in:

The Baltimore Ravens hit the mid season point of the 2020 campaign with a 6-2 record, good for second in the AFC North and in solid standing to grab a third consecutive postseason seat in the process. There have been some high points, some low points and, honestly, a little bit of “meh” sprinkled into the equation.

Overall, the team has probably performed better as a whole than in regards to standout individual performances, but that’s how you win, right? Complimentary football is what wins championships, and the team is excelling at that — timely turnovers, opportunistic plays on offense and excellent special teams.

If the season ended today, here is who would stand out in this writer’s eyes as winners of the team’s superlatives.

MVP

Lamar Jackson, quarterback — Not as electrifying as last season, at least to this point. But don’t get it twisted — he is still the straw that stirs the drink for this team. He is on pace to throw for 3,026 yards, 24 touchdowns, eight interceptions and a passer rating of 95.1. In addition, Jackson is on schedule to run for an additional 938 yards and six touchdowns. That comes to 3,964 yards and 30 touchdowns, in addition to leading the team to a 12-4 mark.

Those aren’t league MVP numbers, but they are still very good, and Jackson is putting his team in position to win a lot of games.

Offensive Player of the Year

Jackson — None of the running backs or pass-catchers have really set themselves apart this season, and Ronnie Stanley — arguably the team’s second-best player on offense — has been knocked out for the season with injury. My distant-second-place finisher right now would probably be Bradley Bozeman, simply for his ability to pull so well on blocks. But he is a very distant second.

Defensive Player of the Year

Marlon Humphrey, cornerback — This one is very close. Calais Campbell, Marcus Peters and, in my opinion, Chuck Clark, have all shown up this year with very good play, and Jimmy Smith and Brandon Williams have also chipped in with strong campaigns.

But Humphrey has recorded 2.5 sacks, a pick and four forced fumbles, while moving in and out as a corner, and offering his typical top-shelf run defense. Peters has followed up last season’s success with far more ups than downs, and Campbell has been everything the team has hoped for since trading for him this offseason. Chuck Clark has been as solid as can be, and that deserves credit by itself.

Humphrey, however, is that rare breed of player who could basically play wherever the team lines him up, and shine. He is having another banner season for the Ravens.

Rookie of the Year

Patrick Queen, linebacker — Queen is on pace to record 104 tackles, four sacks, 10 tackles for loss, with four forced fumbles and another four recoveries. He has had dramatic ups and downs, but has generally been a contributor on a very complicated defense in his first year without the benefit of any kind of normalcy in his first offseason.

His speed is a huge boost to the defense, and he has showcased great instincts. As his grasp of both the defense and opposing offenses grow, he should become an even greater play-maker for this defense.

Devin Duvernay and JK Dobbins have both shown enough flashes this season to offer optimism, but Queen gets the nod based on sheer volume of contribution to the team.

Coach of the Year

Don “Wink” Martindale, defensive coordinator — Martindale has seen his top slot corner go out for the season before opening kickoff. His next slot corner go out not long after. A rookie is manning the middle of his complicated defense, his Hall-of-Fame-level safety got the boot in the preseason and half his defense was sequestered last week under COVID protocols. He’s had a few bumps.

But this team still ranks eighth in yards allowed per game, first in points allowed per game and first in headaches provided to offenses per game (that is a completely made-up stat by yours truly).

Martindale has made adjustments during the week, during games and seemingly by the possession this season. His unit has shined, and kept the Ravens among the league’s elites despite some tumbles on offense.