Ravens: 6 studs and duds following a dreadful loss to the Dolphins
By Justin Fried
STUD: Rashod Bateman, WR, Ravens
There weren’t many standouts from Thursday’s performance, but one of them was the play of rookie wide receiver Rashod Bateman.
In a difficult day for the offense, Bateman was one of the few things that went right as the rookie finished with six catches for 80 yards on eight total targets.
It was the best performance of Bateman’s young NFL career as he took advantage of the Dolphins defense keying in on Marquise Brown.
Bateman has quickly become one of Lamar Jackson’s favorite targets with the two building a rapport in short order.
In a forgettable day from the Ravens’ offense, Bateman’s performance was one to remember.
STUD: Josh Bynes, LB, Ravens
Is there any player on the Ravens defense performing at a higher level than Josh Bynes is right now? The veteran linebacker has been a revelation once again for a Ravens defense that was desperate for linebacker help.
Bynes continued his recent string of excellent performances on Thursday with his most notable stretch of excellent play coming early in the fourth quarter.
The 32-year-old made an outstanding run stuff on 1st-and-goal which was followed up by a leaping one-handed pass deflection on the very next play.
A few penalties later and the Dolphins were forced to settle for three. If Bynes doesn’t make those two plays, Miami likely scores a touchdown. Bynes saved the Ravens four points with those two plays.
He remains one of the best overall players on the team’s defense right now.