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Ravens Turning the Corner

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By: Todd Karpovich

The Ravens are becoming a dangerous team as we head into the second half of the season.

They’ve had some hiccups closing out games, but now the team is learning how to hold onto the lead. 

Several young players, most notably tight end Isaiah Likely, safety Kyle Hamilton and center Tyler Linderbaum — are starting to flash.

Lamar Jackson is becoming a more mature quarterback and learning how to manage a game. The Ravens have won several times this season when Jackson has not flashed gaudy stats. He led the Ravens to a 27-22 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers without two of his top targets — tight end Mark Andrews and wide receiver Rashod Bateman, both of whom were sidelined with injuries. 

“I feel like the whole offense is hungry,” Jackson said. “[Our] main guys went down, and everyone stepped up. James [Proche II], ‘D-Rob’ [Demarcus Robinson], ‘Like’ [Isaiah Likely]. We all just went out here to just finish the job.

“Our guys blocked their tails off; running backs hit the holes. We just have to keep stacking though; it’s a long season.”

The Ravens are  5-3 on the season and in first place in the AFC North. Baltimore controls its destiny for the playoffs. Baltimore plays only one opponent with a winning record for the rest of the way. 

Over the first eight weeks of the season, the Ravens had the NFL’s third-toughest schedule. 

Over the next 10 weeks, they’ll play the third-worst slate of opponents.

Baltimore also plays just one game in the next 24 days — Monday night against the Saints. That will be key for getting the roster fully healthy. 

“We just have a lot of great guys on this team,” cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. “It’s kind of crazy, even the guys who aren’t playing like Tyus [Bowser], and Josh [Bynes] and Ronnie [Stanley] sometimes, everyone’s just talking from the beginning of the game to the end of the game. Excitement… It just seemed like today was such a team win; it seemed like everyone had a play that affected the game, that changed the game. 

“Coaches, it’s just a pleasure being on this team, and the way we work. All season we’ve been talking about stacking the games, stacking the games, and I feel like once we stack, it’s just going to take off for us.” 

The Ravens are also showing off their depth.

When Andrews left the game in the second quarter against the Buccaneers, Likely took advantage of the opportunity. The rookie finished with 6 catches for 77 yards and his first career touchdown. 

“It shows you how hungry we are,” Likely said. “I mean, when [Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman] both went down, they’re a big piece of our offense, so you look at your brother – you look at how they want to be out there with us, so you really want to lift their spirits up and show them that we’re going to do it for them. Whether they’re in the game or not, we’re going to bring this home for them.”

Still, the Ravens are not taking anything for granted. The NFL season can take an unexpected swing. 

As a result, the players know there’s still more work to do. 

“I feel like we’re very close; we’re right there,” Jackson said. “But there’s still room for improvement. The little mistakes, we’re still making them out there. [If] we change those, then I feel like the sky’s the limit for us.”

 

The post Ravens Turning the Corner appeared first on Russell Street Report.

Originally posted on Russell Street Report