Ravens Week 2 Stock Report: Lamar Jackson’s big game isn’t enough
By Jake Lippman
The Rest of the Ravens’ defensive backs (Trending Down)
As one rises, the rest fall. Looking at the ending stat sheet for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, it makes one think the Ravens’ defense played terribly. Through three quarters, though, there was hope. Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey returned.
Rookies Damarion Williams and Jayln Armour-Davis received valuable experience at cornerback, and Kyle Hamilton played pivotal snaps in the secondary. At the end of the game, the score did not look good and neither did the mistakes, but the lessons learned will be seen in games (and years) to come.
In the Dolphins’ four-touchdown fourth quarter, the Ravens’ defense got tested deep time and time again. Mainly, the rookies, whether it was Hamilton when he was playing deep safety or the rookies in the slot, they were tested.
In the end, we saw a banged-up Peters struggle to keep up with lightning-fast Tyreek Hill and not make a play on the ball with the game on the line. It was a team effort, but not a good look.
Considering the situation, the Ravens have a clear path ahead. Rest, recover, regroup.
This group has talent, size, and speed. That combination is something that can shut down the best-receiving groups. The Dolphins have some of the fastest receivers and they were shut down at the beginning of the game.
In Week 3, the Ravens face an offense that is not as established in the passing game compared to the Dolphins. The Patriots like to run the ball and use their tight ends. This is the type of game the Ravens’ defense thrives in.
This game should be a rebound for the secondary. The real test will be to see how they rebound in Weeks 4 and 5 against the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals.