The Baltimore Ravens are starting to find their groove. After having very close/dramatic games in consecutive weeks, the Ravens handled business on the road in Denver.
With a 23-7 victory over the undefeated Broncos, the Ravens improve to 3-1. That ties for first in the AFC North with the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals.
This game was huge for the Ravens because, in case they are fighting for a wild card spot later in the season, having the tiebreaker over the Broncos could prove to be crucial.
Let’s take a look at the multiple Ravens who stepped up this week.
1. Anthony Averett, CB, Ravens
Anthony Averett landed on the injury report this past week due to an ankle injury. There was some concern that he could miss the Week 4 matchup with the Broncos.
If he missed the game, it would’ve been a huge blow to the Ravens defense, whose secondary is already thin on depth due to injuries.
However, not only did Averett play in the game, he played lights out. He was stout in coverage and even recorded his second career interception when the Broncos reached the goalline at the very end of the game.
This is especially impressive because the Broncos have several big receivers who are at least 6-foot-2. At 5-foot-11, 178 pounds, it is difficult to be left on the island with those types of receivers, but Averett proves to be up to the task.
This game was another example of how well he has been playing this season. In a contract year, he already has recorded the first two interceptions of his career and multiple pass breakups.
After Marcus Peters went down, the Ravens needed Averett to step up next to Marlon Humphrey and he has delivered.
Anthony Averett is playing the best football of his career and has allowed the Ravens’ defense to continue to be aggressive with their playcalling.
2. Tyus Bowser, OLB, Ravens
Before the beginning of the season, there were a lot of questions about the Ravens pass rush.
The Ravens drafted the outside linebacker Tyus Bowser in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft, but his specialty has been in pass coverage, not necessarily rushing the passer.
Bowser still had five sacks last season, however, after the departure of Matthew Judon and Yannick Ngakoue, many wondered if Bowser was ready to lead that group.
He would have to take Judon’s role as the lead pass rusher while also remain stout in pass coverage.
So far to start the season, he had been pressuring opposing quarterbacks, but he wasn’t recording the sacks.
That changed on Sunday as he recorded two sacks in the game against the Broncos. He was constantly in the backfield all game long.
This is an encouraging sign because, on the other side, Odafe Oweh has also been flashing as a pass rusher.
If those two can consistently win one-on-one battles, it will be a game-changer for the Ravens’ defense.
3. James Proche, WR, Ravens
One of the surprises of this game was James Proche. He didn’t have many snaps last season during his rookie year and was thought to be deep down the depth chart again this year.
However, with the injuries to Rashod Bateman and Miles Boykin, along with his standout practices, Proche has been earning more snaps.
Against the Broncos, Proche caught five passes for 74 yards — both career highs. Several of his catches came on huge third downs which would later lead to scores.
The Ravens have struggled mightily on third down this season and Proche helped them convert on a few of them on Sunday.
Even though he is not a speed threat like many of the other Ravens receivers, Proche is a refined route runner with excellent hands. Sunday’s game proved that Lamar Jackson is starting to establish chemistry with him.
Proche is splitting snaps with Devin Duvernay, but the former SMU standout could be the reliable slot receiver that replaces Willie Snead.
The Ravens have desperately needed a receiver who could consistently get open in key situations and Proche might be the guy.
It’s an extremely small sample size, but one thing is clear. James Proche is taking full advantage of the opportunities that he didn’t get last season.