4. Nobody knows what to expect from the Ravens backfield anymore
It was promising at first, it was worrying then, it was atrocious later, and now, all of sudden, it's a... relatively positive enigma?
The Ravens started the season with a healthy backfield featuring three stout rushers capable of carrying a running back room easily--with strength in numbers, that is. Sadly, that lasted just two quarters before J.K. Dobbins suffered an Achilles injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Then injuries to Gus Edwards and Justice Hill forced the Ravens to use Melvin Gordon and Kenyan Drake heavily even though they are only practice-squad members.
But going against a strong (at least before Week 4) defense in Cleveland, Melvin Gordon and the two starters in Baltimore's backfield were simply unstoppable.
Lamr Jackson ➡ Melvin Gordon III pic.twitter.com/pXZbabQm6Z
— Ravens Nation (@RavensNationCP) October 1, 2023
Gus Edwards rushed the ball 15 times for 48 yards, Justice Hill logged only three carries but racked up 33 yards, and Melvin Gordon added 21 yards on three rushing attempts. More impressively, Edwards grabbed two passes for the first time in his career while MG3 caught one pass himself for 23 yards.
This backfield is far from a reliable one because of the health issues that all of their members carry with them and because they are veterans but not quite steady and kinda volatile at times.
This backfield is also solid and boosted by Lamar Jackson's presence and skill set (the QB rushed the ball nine times for 27 yards and two touchdowns) it should be enough for the Ravens to keep producing when using it.