Baltimore Beatdown
For the second season in a row, the Ravens’ Week 2 matchup will be their home opener as a heavy favorite after starting 0-1. The Cleveland Browns are coming into town and arguably the biggest storyline is the return of Joe Flacco to Baltimore in what will be his first start there since he was traded from the Ravens in 2019.
After a collapse of epic proportions in Buffalo, the Ravens can’t have a repeat of last year — where they lost to the Raiders in Week 2 after losing to the Chiefs and fell to 0-2. So, let’s go over what the Ravens have to do to get to 1-1 and keep their hopes for the AFC’s No. 1 seed alive.
Last week, I said the theme would be “Stay Calm” and I’d say it often. Well, I’m already backtracking and changing it to composed. The Ravens can win every game if they are mistake-free. Instead, they dropped interceptions, allowed points to close a half, fumbled, and let the Bills march down the field multiple times to end the game. The tackle made near the end zone with time running out was another mental error, resulting from a lack of situational awareness and a loss of composure. As has been the modus operandi for this team the last couple of years, they panicked at the end and gave the game away to the Bills. They need to stay composed, not make mistakes, and make the plays that come to them. Speaking of which . . .
Last year, the Ravens lost a game to the Browns on the road. There were multiple drops on offense by numerous receivers. Even worse, the secondary dropped no fewer than five interceptions that would have changed or finished the game. Joe Flacco isn’t the guaranteed interception machine that Jameis Winston’s style of play is known for. In his recent years, though, Flacco has gotten looser with the ball — slinging it around the yard and taking more risks. His first stint with Cleveland in 2023 was the highest interception rate of his career, even if it was only a five-game sample.
The Ravens’ defense will likely have the opportunity to take the ball away, more than once probably. They dropped two interception chances last week against the Buffalo Bills. When the chances come, they need to take advantage of them.
Last week, the pass rush looked disappointing. It could have been the plan, trying to fill rush lanes and corral Josh Allen in the pocket. This week, the Ravens need to get after Flacco. Flacco’s mobility is not what it once was, and he was sacked twice last week. Unlike against the Allen, the Ravens front seven has a rare chance to truly pin their ears back and get after the quarterback, not a common place against most quarterbacks in the NFL these days. I expect Odafe...
