The Baltimore Ravens once again were doubted entering the week. And once again, they handled their business by beating the Los Angeles Rams 45-6 in Week 12.
With such a lopsided score, I can’t in good conscience say any player on Baltimore’s roster was a dud. Even if I could pick out a player that didn’t have an amazing game, not a single Ravens player had a dud-worthy performance. So I present, the seven biggest studs of Baltimore’s Week 12 win over Los Angeles.
Stud: QB, Lamar Jackson
Jackson started the game 9-of-9 for 87 yards and three touchdown passes. His first six runs went for 80 yards and yet another highlight-reel addition. Jackson being perfect to start the game was why they got out to such a large lead and were able to coast.
Jackson finished the game early in this blowout, giving way to backup Robert Griffin III in the fourth quarter. Jackson’s night ended with him completing 15-of-20 passes for 169 yards, five touchdown throws, no interceptions and a 139.4 passer rating. He added 95 yards on just eight runs.
Against a very talented defense, Jackson made sure he’ll earn a unanimous MVP award this season.
Stud: RB, Mark Ingram
Up against one of the best defensive lines in football, Ingram hit the hole quickly and finished runs with his patented toughness and drive. Even with Baltimore pounding the ball early on obvious runs, Ingram picked up 53 yards on his first six attempts. He finished the night with just 15 carries as he literally ran over defenders for 111 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. He also made an impact in the passing game, catching his lone target for a seven-yard touchdown.
Ingram is the perfect counter to Jackson’s speed outside. He’s physical but has plenty enough speed to fool defenders that try to take an angle on him. By the second half, you could see the defeat on the defenders’ faces after each play thanks to Ingram battering them over and over again. Ingram being that physical is a big reason why the game is over once they get an early lead.
Stud: G, Marshal Yanda
Yanda was spotted taking his defensive lineman yards deep on rushing plays. For a defensive line that’s considered one of the best in the NFL, Yanda made it look like the Rams were playing preseason football instead. As much as Ingram and Jackson ran all over Los Angeles, putting up great performances in their own right, Yanda was a big portion of why Baltimore did so well on the ground.
At 35 years old and in his 13th season in the NFL, there was a fear Yanda might not be as dominant as he was in his prime. There was concern about just how big of a dropoff we could potentially see this season. That thought has been firmly blown out of everyone’s mind after a game like this one. Yanda looks like he could play another five years at an All-Pro level if he wanted to.
Stud: C, Patrick Mekari
For a rookie UDFA getting thrown into the action against the supposed best defensive line in football, Mekari did more than alright. Coming in for the injured Matt Skura, Mekari held his own in pass protection and in run blocking.
If Mekari struggled, there’s no way Baltimore has this level of success. Being able to come in on short notice and playing that well against a really great opponent is a stud game in my book all day long.
Stud: CB, Marlon Humphrey
Humphrey continued his streak of amazing games. He helped locked down wide receiver Cooper Kupp to just 35 yards in spite of his 10 targets, and Brandin Cooks to just 32 yards. In total, the Rams had just 199 net passing yards in spite of throwing the football 37 times thanks to the Ravens having a huge lead all game long and Humphrey was a big portion of Baltimore’s success.
In a game that had the best cornerbacks in the NFL, Humphrey might have quietly had the best game of them all. Though he seems to be ignored by many around the league because he’s not the most flashy guy and he doesn’t have a bunch of interceptions, Humphrey once again proved why he should be headed to his first Pro Bowl.
Stud: CB Marcus Peters
Peters talked smack at the end of every play, including ones where he wasn’t even on the field. Going up against the team that traded him just a few weeks ago, Peters’ aggression and talk could have bitten him but he backed it up with his play.
Playing on the outside, Peters limited what Los Angeles was able to do through the air, including when the Rams had to throw on every play just to try to keep up. And with the game effectively over by the fourth quarter, Peters got exactly what he needed, picking off Goff.
It was a huge game for Peters and he made Los Angeles look stupid for trading him. You can’t be a bigger stud than that.
Stud: CB, Jimmy Smith
Like Humphrey and Peters above him, Smith had himself an amazing game that helped limit what the Rams were able to do through the air. But it was his impact plays that ultimately made a monumental difference at both the beginning and end of the game.
He started off strong with a sack of Goff on Los Angeles’ second drive, which helped force a punt and ultimately gave Baltimore their early and insurmountable lead. He put the nail in the coffin and stopped the Rams’ final drive by intercepting Goff.
Coming off a knee sprain that kept him out most of the season, Smith has quickly stepped back into his role and is playing well. For a guy many thought of as done in Baltimore, Smith is proving he’s still a very capable starting-caliber cornerback in the NFL.
