Baltimore Beatdown
The Baltimore Ravens are down by just one point heading into halftime against the Minnesota Vikings. Here are the first-half reactions from Baltimore Beatdown’s staff:
The Vikings have looked like the better team so far, but a Malaki Starks interception and Dallas Turner roughing the passer penalty helped the Ravens close the gap by the end of the half. A stop to open the third quarter could set Baltimore up to take control of the game on their next drive. – Nikhil Mehta
Todd Monken hasn’t been able to get the offense going in the first half for either of Lamar Jackson’s games since his return, but fortunately Malaki Starks second interception in as many games has kept the Ravens in it. Hopefully Monken and Jackson can repeat last week’s hot second-half start, otherwise the Ravens could find themselves in a tough spot. – Mark Myers
The Ravens inability to convert short-yardage situations on the ground continues to cap the ceiling of this offense. Lamar Jackson has been effective throwing the ball so far. Keaton Mitchell has provided the biggest spark so it would be wise to go back to him more in the second half.
The defense has played well outside of an abysmal first drive, though the pass rush is still largely ineffective without blitzing. – Dustin Cox
The Ravens offense has been nothing short of pitiful for most of the first half. A couple big runs from Henry and Mitchell seemed to create a spark but, once again, the offensive line ruined that. They’ve been unable to convert from short yardage just like all season. The defense has quietly had a nice day, outside of a long pass from a great pick play call on the Vikings side. Malaki Starks has his second interception and Dre’Mont Jones has flashed.
The offense needs to get into gear and figure it out, mostly on the offensive line. But if the defense can hold fast and Tyler Loop can keep hitting, the Ravens could win this in a scrap fest. – Zach Canter
