The latest news covering the Baltimore Ravens.
The latest and greatest content covering the Baltimore Ravens.
The Winners and Losers of NFL Week 11
Steven Ruiz, The Ringer
Indeed, these were familiar mistakes. The Ravens came into Sunday’s game as the NFL’s most penalized team and then committed another dozen against Pittsburgh. The pass defense had been busting coverages and giving up explosive plays all season before allowing Russell Wilson to complete a few of his trademark moon balls. Harbaugh deserves the benefit of the doubt when it comes to his coaching. He’s a good coach … I think. But I don’t think the Ravens have been particularly well-coached this season.
The Ravens’ loss dropped them all the way down to the 6-seed line in the AFC standings and gave Pittsburgh sole possession of first place in the AFC North by 1.5 games. The division race is far from over. The Steelers still have to travel to Baltimore in Week 16 and have challenging games against the Eagles, Chiefs, and Bengals (twice) left on their schedule. The rematch in Baltimore very well could determine the division champion, and the Ravens should be a favorite in that one. But it won’t matter if they don’t play cleaner ball in the upcoming weeks, and it falls on Harbaugh to ensure that happens.
NFL Week 11 takeaways: Bills make case as AFC’s best team, Bo Nix rookie of the year?
Ted Nguyen, The Athletic
As far as Baltimore goes: This game featured all kinds of elements that should spark concern within the organization. Tucker’s misses stood out, but they certainly weren’t the only reason the Ravens lost. Three turnovers and 12 penalties also factored heavily. Baltimore has a talented team, but the Ravens can’t expect to win games against elite opponents if they repeatedly shoot themselves in the foot. This loss will come back to haunt the Ravens when it’s time for playoff seeding.
Reassessing AFC contenders: Bills the best? How dangerous are the Steelers? Sando’s Pick Six
Mike Sando, The Athletic
Lamar Jackson ranked No. 1 on the QB Betrayal Index entering Week 10 because his MVP-caliber production had overcome the Ravens’ poor play on defense and special teams during a 7-3 start.
Against Pittsburgh, it was the Jackson-led offense and those troubled special teams that betrayed a solid effort from Baltimore’s embattled defense.
It’s premature to say formerly all-world kicker Justin Tucker is finished, but he’s definitely slumping, and unless there’s an unreported injury or some other explanation, that is troubling for a Ravens team that realistically needs two of three phases to be solid for the team to deliver on its Super Bowl potential.
NFL Week 11 grades: Cowboys get ugly grade for blowout loss to Texans, Bills earn ‘B+’ for beating Chiefs
John Breech, CBS Sports
B-
The Ravens always seem to struggle against the Steelers and those struggles continued on Sunday. Derrick Henry started off the game with a fumble on the second play from scrimmage and things didn’t get much better from there for the Ravens offense. The Ravens biggest problem right now might be Justin Tucker. The most accurate kicker in NFL history seems to have lost his mojo: He missed field goals against the Steelers and that was the difference in the game. For the past 12 years, the Ravens have had a kicker they can trust in clutch situations, but going forward, fans will likely be holding their breath when Tucker attempts any big kicks.