Ravens News 11/21: Deep Shots

Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. starting to feel like himself again

Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic

Perhaps, Jackson’s 51-yard completion to Beckham in the fourth quarter Thursday will break the ice on the Ravens’ deep-ball issues. Jackson missed on three others, but on two of them, he threw a nice ball. Jackson was about to drop one right into Bateman’s arms, but Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt made a great play to get an outstretched hand on it. In the third quarter, Jackson took an end zone shot to Beckham and threw the ball only where the receiver could catch it, but Beckham couldn’t get his second arm free to make a play. If the Ravens start regularly hitting on deep balls, it will add another dimension to their offense. They need to keep taking shots.

With Marlon Humphrey sidelined, the Ravens used Brandon Stephens on one side and then rotated Ronald Darby and Rock Ya-Sin on the other. The plan appeared to be to play Ya-Sin every third drive. But we didn’t see a whole lot of Ya-Sin after he was called for pass interference on Trenton Irwin on the first drive of the third quarter. Second-year player Jalyn Armour-Davis played much of the fourth quarter and finished with 11 snaps, compared to 19 for Ya-Sin and 31 for Darby. With the Ravens in control in the fourth quarter, it was a good time to get a young player like Armour-Davis some work. It will be interesting to monitor Ya-Sin’s role going forward. He’s given up some plays the last couple of weeks, and Baltimore has options.

Twelve Ravens Thoughts following Week 11 win over Cincinnati

Luke Jones, Baltimore Positive

The Odell Beckham Jr. we’ve watched the last two weeks would really help fill the Mark Andrews production void. However, is it a coincidence that the last two games have also included his lowest snap counts — 18 and 22 — of the season? You have to keep him fresh and healthy.

Much has been made about Lamar Jackson sporting a career-high completion percentage this season, but what’s been more impressive is sustaining that mark while improving his average depth of target in recent games. His 8.1 yards per pass attempt and 5.5 pass yards after catch per completion are career highs.

After concerns about his Week 10 performance, Marcus Williams turned in his best game of the season with seven tackles and two pass breakups while playing every defensive snap. The injuries have been frustrating for everybody, but he reminded how good he is when healthy.

Ravens Eye View: Three Young Defenders Jumping Off Film

Ryan Mink, BaltimoreRavens.com

Oweh now has four sacks in five games since returning from his ankle injury and continues to generate pressure at a high rate. Per Next Gen Stats, Oweh generated a career-high seven pressures and 35.0% pressure rate, five of which came in matchups against former Raven Orlando Brown Jr.

But the most versatile chess piece at Defensive Coordinator Mike Macdonald’s disposal is Hamilton. The return of Marcus Williams and luxury of having Geno Stone is allowing Hamilton to play all over the field. Macdonald often uses Hamilton to change the picture for the quarter before and after the snap.

Stephens had a tough assignment Thursday night going against Ja’Marr Chase without Marlon Humphrey in action (calf injury).

Chase didn’t do much in their earlier meeting this year either (five catches, 31 yards), but he did even less this time with two catches for 12 yards (one of which being a little pitch in the backfield). The only blemish on Stephens’ record for the night was a 2-yard touchdown given up to Chase late in the fourth quarter when the game was already settled.

NFL Week 11: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards

Gordon McGuinness, PFF

OFFENSIVE LINE OF THE WEEK: BALTIMORE RAVENS

Patrick Mekari allowed four total pressures, including a sack, but the rest of the Ravens’ offensive line combined to let up just four pressures between them. They also helped Gus Edwards and Keaton Mitchell to both average more than four yards per carry.

The First Read: One thing each NFL team has to be thankful for entering Week 12

Jeffri Chadiha, NFL.com

Baltimore Ravens

Depth. The Ravens have dealt with their share of injuries this season. Running back J.K. Dobbins went down with a torn Achilles in Week 1, and yet Baltimore still has the best rushing attack in the NFL. The absence of safety Marcus Williams for several games earlier this year opened the door for Geno Stone to become the league’s co-leader in interceptions with six. Now, tight end Mark Andrews is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a fractured fibula and torn ankle ligaments. It’s a huge blow to this roster. History also says Baltimore will find a way to survive it.

Ravens TE Mark Andrews has an ‘outside chance’ to return this season from ankle injury

Childs Walker, The Baltimore Sun

Andrews was injured by a hip-drop tackle from Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson on the Ravens’ first drive last Thursday. Harbaugh said after the game the injury was serious and likely season-ending.

“Nothing’s completely definitive yet,” he said Monday. “My understanding is, in talking with our trainer and doctors, that it wasn’t as bad as initially feared right after the game. … It’s a little cleaner than we thought based on the MRI. He’s going to be involved with Dr. [Robert] Anderson down there in Charlotte over the next few days, and we’ll know more.”

In other injury news, Harbaugh said cornerback Marlon Humphrey “hopefully will be back this week” for the Ravens’ Sunday night matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. Humphrey missed the Bengals game with a calf strain.