Ravens: 3 bold optimistic predictions for Week 1 vs. Raiders
By Justin Fried
2. Ravens RB Ty’Son Williams rushes for 100 yards
Another player who will be thrust into the spotlight as a result of injuries is Ty’Son Williams. An undrafted free agent last year, Williams spent his entire rookie season on the Ravens’ practice squad after being signed in late August.
He returned in 2021 and put together a strong summer, one that saw him pushing for a roster spot. But following season-ending injuries to J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill, Williams is suddenly the de facto RB1.
It’s an unprecedented development for the young running back who will be playing in his first career NFL game on Monday.
And imagine if, in his debut, he managed to rush for over 100 yards. That’s one way to make a first impression.
Williams will have a few things working in his favor. He’ll, of course, be the de facto lead back in the NFL’s No. 1 rushing attack, and his opponents haven’t exactly fared well against the run in recent years either.
The Raiders gave up the seventh-most yards per carry in 2020 (4.6) and surrendered the second-most rushing touchdowns (24).
The wild card will be whether or not the Ravens offensive line can gel given the nagging injuries the unit dealt with in the summer. Don’t undersell the absence of Nick Boyle either.
Still, we’re going bold and optimistic (sticking with the theme) and predicting that Williams takes the NFL world by storm by rushing for over 100 yards in Week 1.
How’s that for a debut?