The Baltimore Ravens get yet another top team on their schedule as they take on Super Bowl LIII losers, the Los Angeles Rams. While the Rams sit at just 6-4 right now, don’t mistake them for a mediocre team. They have one of the best defensive lines in the game, a capable quarterback and one of the most dangerous running backs around.
Yet, in spite of all their talent and top coaching, oddsmakers have the Ravens as favorites in this game. And for good reason too. Baltimore is currently the best team in the league until someone is able to dethrone them. Here’s four reasons why Los Angeles won’t do it on Monday Night Football.
Lamar Jackson
It seems like a bit of a cop-out to simply say Jackson is the reason the Ravens’ offense has been so good when the coaching has been terrific and they’re executing the scheme beautifully. But Jackson’s presence on the field opens up quite a lot for the rest of the offense when he isn’t carrying the team himself.
Jackson being a threat to break off a big run makes it 11-on-11 football, a rarity in the NFL. That means a defense has to account for Jackson on every single play, either using a spy or by altering their gameplan accordingly. Once a defender’s eyes go to the backfield instead of the ball carrier, the man they have in coverage or the guy they’re trying to run around, the Ravens’ offense wins. That split second of indecision opens rushing lanes and has pass catchers wide open for easy completions.
Even when everyone is doing their jobs, Jackson is still very much a threat to do something magical with the football himself. And if 10 defenders are locked on to their respective 10 offensive players, that means it’s Jackson against a lone defender — usually in the open field. As we’ve seen time and time again this season, that’s a recipe for another highlight-reel run from Jackson.
Every defense Baltimore has gone up against has tried different things to contain Jackson and limit the damage he can do. Some have been successful there but left themselves vulnerable elsewhere. Even more defenses haven’t been athletic enough to keep Jackson from torching them and they’ve also overcommitted to trying, opening up big plays from other players. The Rams are in a similar situation this week and I don’t think they have overall talent on defense to do what nine other defenses have failed at this season.
Ravens are winners in primetime
Under coach John Harbaugh, Baltimore holds an 8-5 record on Monday Night Football. That’s impressive without even considering an unprecedented 11 of those 13 games have been on the road.
While so many other teams fold under the pressure of a night game in front of a national audience, the Ravens thrive. They ratchet up their focus and play their best football in these situations. Whether that comes from the coaching staff or just trying to prove their many doubters wrong, Baltimore is one team no one wants to face under the lights.
Red-zone efficiency
When the Ravens have the football and driving, they’re near unstoppable. Baltimore has scored 10 touchdowns on their last 12 red-zone trips — an 83.3% success rate.
Converting red-zone trips into touchdowns instead of field goals is the way to win close games.
Marcus Peters’ return
One of the best things about cornerback Marcus Peters is that he plays with swagger and a chip on his shoulder. He’s aggressive to make a play but has the physical skills to back that up. It’s why, in spite of playing five years, Peters has 26 interceptions, returning six back for touchdowns (including four this season).
There’s no bigger chip on a player’s shoulder than when they have to go up against their former team. In Peters’ case, he was traded from Los Angeles to Baltimore as they landed cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
If that doesn’t have Peters playing at his absolute best, I’m not sure what will. And Peters at his best puts points on the board for the Ravens.
