Last week: 3 (-1)
Record: 5-1
The Ravens might have won the battle, but lost the war last week, losing Ray Lewis and Lardarius Webb for the season from an already struggling defense. They rank 22nd against the pass and 13th against the run already, which is unheard of for this defense, but this won’t help. Lewis won’t be missed as much as people are saying he will. He’s been pretty average, not just by his standards, but by anyone’s standards this year. They’ll miss his on the field leadership most of all, but he’ll still be around as a locker room presence.
Lardarius Webb’s injury will hurt the most. One of two starting cornerbacks to not surrender a touchdown last year, Webb has allowed 11 catches for 111 yards on 24 attempts, with 1 interception this year and was by far their best defensive back on a struggling pass defense. Their struggling pass rush wasn’t helping things as they rank 27th in pass rush efficiency and Terrell Suggs is expected back sometime next month, although who knows if that’s actually going to happen or how effective he’ll be just 6 months after an Achilles tear. They could really use him though. Fortunately, they have 5 wins in a terrible conference and their offense is playing well, so they should play the playoffs, at the very least.
Studs
QB Joe Flacco: 17 of 26 for 234 yards and a touchdown, 1 batted pass, 1 hit as thrown, 2 drops, 99.3 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 11 of 27 drop backs (1 sack, 4 of 10, 1 hit as thrown, 1 drop)
LOLB Courtney Upshaw: 1 quarterback hit and 1 quarterback hurry on 22 pass rush snaps, 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, 5 stops
WR Jacoby Jones: Caught 2 passes for 15 yards on 2 attempts on 11 pass snaps, 1.0 YAC per catch, 3 kickoff returns for 159 yards and a touchdown
Duds
CB Jimmy Smith: Allowed 5 catches for 36 yards on 8 attempts, 3 penalties, 6 solo tackles, 2 stops, 3 missed tackles
MLB Jameel McClain: 3 solo tackles, 2 missed tackles, 1 penalty, 1 quarterback hurry on 10 blizes, allowed 1 catch for 6 yards on 1 attempt
ROLB Paul Kruger: Did not record a pressure on 28 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 2 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle
LE Arthur Jones: Did not record a pressure on 15 pass rush snaps, no tackles
NT Ma’ake Kemoeatu: Did not record a pressure on 16 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 2 stops
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