Baltimore Beatdown
In an ugly matchup against the Browns, the Ravens’ rookies helped to grind out one of the team’s toughest wins to date. Divisional games on the road are always difficult, no matter the opponent, so it’s good for rookies to get familiar with these matchups early. Here’s how they performed.
After a two-game breakout period, Starks had a quieter day against the Browns, but still contributed to one of the defense’s best performances of the season. Like most of his teammates, Starks struggled to tackle on the Browns’ second drive, leading to their field goal. After that, the Ravens defense tightened up and terrorized Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders the rest of the game. Starks did his usual work in centerfield limiting deep balls, but he also contributed two the pass rush with pressures on both of his blitzes, per PFF. Sounds pretty efficient to me.
Green had a rough day at the office in Cleveland. After some really solid performances since the bye week, Green graded out as the worst Ravens defender against the Browns. A couple of weeks ago, this would have been a disastrous sign for the pass rush and the defense in general. But since the acquisition of Dre’Mont Jones, the Ravens are capable of weathering rookie moments from Green instead of relying on him to be the top pass rusher off the edge. He will look to bounce back against the Jets.
This was one of Buchanan’s best games to date. He has looked fantastic since Roquan Smith came back after the bye and finished Sunday’s game with an 80.2 overall PFF grade, including a 79.7 coverage grade. Buchanan is increasingly comfortable in pass coverage situations, finding his drop spots and passing routes along to his teammates. He’s physical when he gets a chance to stick a ball carrier and has been one of the team’s surer tackles this year. Buchanan still hesitates in the run game and struggles when linemen get their hands on him, but when he can work in space, he’s a menace.
I didn’t expect much from a fourth-round rookie playing inside linebacker, one of the hardest college-to-NFL transitions there is, but I will be the first to admit I was wrong. Buchanan has come in and quickly developed into a real starter for this defense. If he can be a cheap running mate for Smith as the veteran’s cap hits explode in the next few years, Buchanan will be a home-run of a pick.
Vinson once again got the game day activation over veteran Joseph Noteboom as the backup swing tackle. He only played three special team snaps on Sunday on the field goal unit, but the confidence the coaching staff has shown in him is encouraging.
This was the biggest game in Loop’s young NFL career: his first divisoinal game on the road with extremely windy conditions and an offense that struggled throughout...
