3 Things We Learned From the Baltimore Ravens After Week 7
The Baltimore Ravens put together an impressive showing in Week 7 and dominated the Detroit Lions.
SportsGrid looks at the Ravens through Week 7 of the season.
NFL Week 7 Content: Super Bowl Power Rankings | NFL MVP Power Rankings | NFC Power Rankings | AFC Power Rankings
1. At Their Best, the Ravens are a Super Bowl Contender
After dominating a good Detroit Lions team in Week 7, it’s hard to classify the 5-2 Baltimore Ravens as anything but legitimate Super Bowl contenders. The sportsbooks agree, with the Ravens boasting the sixth-shortest Super Bowl odds on the FanDuel Sportsbook. Baltimore tripped up in the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5, but besides that, they’ve looked the part of a serious contender. With their defense in sync and high-pressure rate, along with the offense firing on all cylinders, it’s not hard to recognize the Ravens among the NFL’s elite. The AFC is stacked with high-end teams, and it will be difficult for anyone to win the conference, but the Ravens are undoubtedly in the mix.
2. Lamar Jackson is an MVP Candidate
Offensive coordinator Todd Monken has been an excellent hire for the Ravens and helped Lamar Jackson take his game to another level again. Jackson was at his best in the Ravens’ Week 7 beatdown of the Detroit Lions and made a name for himself in the NFL MVP race. Jackson passed for 357 yards and three touchdowns, adding 36 yards and a rushing touchdown on the ground. Jackson has been doing it with his arm and legs all year, leading the Ravens to the top of the AFC North. Jackson might not have wholly separated himself from the pack in the MVP race, but he’s a part of the conversation after this Week 7 performance.
3. The Defense can get to the Quarterback
If you’re looking for a defense that can pressure and get to the quarterback, the Ravens are that and more. There are times when this unit looks susceptible to being attacked through the air, but the opposing quarterback doesn’t often have enough time to make decisions with how strong Baltimore’s pass rush is. The Ravens led the NFL in sacks with 29 through seven games. Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald has done an excellent job scheming for this group, leading to their elite production over seven weeks. Jared Goff had a difficult time in Week 7, and a significant reason for that was the Ravens’ domination in the trenches.
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