At 4-2 heading into their recreation in opposition to the 5-1 Detroit Lions, the Baltimore Ravens hadn’t totally taken flight. They’d the league’s second-best defense however had been struggling to place collectively a constant offense. Sadly for the Lions, Baltimore had been clicking on each side of the ball on Sunday, placing collectively a 28-0 halftime lead and eventually winning 38-6. With the victory, the AFC North main Ravens made a case for being potential Tremendous Bowl champions whereas bringing the Lions again all the way down to earth.
The important thing to the Ravens’ offense stays Lamar Jackson, who was boosted within the offseason by the arrival of receivers Odell Beckham Jr, Nelson Agholor and first-round choose Zay Flowers. Below new offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Jackson got here out flat-footed in his regular-season debut, going and not using a passing or dashing landing in a Week 1 win over the Houston Texans. He regained his rhythm with a four-touchdown recreation in opposition to the Cleveland Browns in Week 4 however his group had crimson zone struggles as not too long ago as final week’s win in opposition to the Tennessee Titans.
“We simply need to a greater job of – like I stated – scheming it, do a greater job of executing it when we’ve these alternatives,” Monken said only a few days in the past, acknowledging the offense’s most urgent weak point.
No matter changes Monken made within the final week, they supplied dividends. Towards the Lions’ protection, the Ravens went four-for-four in the red zone of their first 4 drives of the sport, giving their protection greater than sufficient cushion to render the remainder of the sport irrelevant.
Jackson was as soon as once more their not-so-secret weapon. Though he initially had a status as a run-first QB – there was a time when so-called consultants had been telling Baltimore to transform him right into a working again – Jackson is nigh-unstoppable when he has his passing recreation going. He actually had it in opposition to Detroit: he went 21-for-27, passing for 357 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He additionally blended issues up, dashing for 36 yards and one extra landing. (OK, he misplaced a single fumble within the recreation however, given every little thing else, we’ll give him a go on that one.)
Jackson’s a harmful twin risk due to his means to interrupt free from defensive strain and make performs with both his arms or his legs. Of his three passing TDs, probably the most spectacular was solely attainable due to his uncanny scrambling means as he managed to maintain a play alive for a mindboggling 9.24 seconds earlier than nailing a throw to Agholor.
It was one of the best of instances for the Ravens and the worst of instances for the Lions, who stumbled after being hyped as a darkish horse Tremendous Bowl contender after the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers lost their undefeated season bids last week. As quickly as boosters started making the case for Detroit having one of the best group within the NFL their long-suffering followers instantly feared that the Soccer Gods had been setting them as much as be uncovered as Paper Tigers. It seems they had been proper.
The excellent news for the now 5-2 Lions is that they’re nonetheless on high of the NFC North. The truth is, no different group of their division is above .500. It’s not their report that’s the problem, nevertheless: the issue is that the Ravens left their protection completely uncovered. It’s attainable that no group might have overwhelmed Baltimore on Sunday however the beatdown was the exact opposite of a “moral victory.” With the loss, their upcoming recreation in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders all of a sudden seems like a litmus take a look at of how actual the Lions really are.
MVP of the week
Myles Garrett, defensive finish, Cleveland Browns. Right here’s a confession: it’s usually simpler to make an offensive participant MVP of the week. Defenses are inclined to work as a collective, making particular person contributions considerably harder to trace.
Generally, nevertheless, one of the best participant on the sector is clearly a defensive one. As was the case for the Cleveland Browns throughout their 39-38 come-from-behind win over the Indianapolis Colts. Garrett had two strip-sacks for the Browns, one among which was recovered for a landing, 9 tackles and a blocked discipline aim, throughout which Garrett hopped over the Colts’ line. Garrett basically wrapped up this award earlier than the first-half was over.
As the ultimate rating suggests, Cleveland wanted Garrett simply to remain within the recreation. The Browns’ passing recreation struggled underneath backup quarterback PJ Walker. He got here on for Deshaun Watson, who threw the group’s first interception of the day (the Browns later said Watson was changed to “defend” him however didn’t specify an damage. Watson stated he’s “unsure” if he reinjured the shoulder that has troubled him the previous few weeks. His profession in Cleveland continues to be mystifying). The Colts took a 38-33 lead late within the recreation however two questionable penalties arrange a Kareem Hunt dashing landing that ended up being the distinction. Because of Garrett’s dominant first half, the Browns improved their report to 4-2 whereas the Colts fell to 3-4.
Video of the week
Assume being an NFL official is straightforward? Think about attempting to make a ruling on whether or not Seattle Seahawks extensive receiver Jake Bobo’s leaping catch was a landing or not. In real-time, officers thought it wasn’t however after Seattle head coach Pete Carroll challenged, replay decided that Bobo (by some means) landed in-bounds. Even when there wasn’t sufficient proof to overturn the decision on the sector – and there was on this occasion – that is the textbook “play so cool that it ought to have been dominated a catch on vibes alone.” The Seahawks went on to defeat the now 1-6 Arizona Cardinals 20-10, bettering their very own report to 4-2.
Stat of the week
50. That’s the variety of instances the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have related for a landing over the course of their partnership, the fourth-most by any QB and TE combination. It got here on National Tight Ends Day too.
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Besides being a famous boyfriend and notable celebrity pitchperson, Kelce may go down as the greatest to play the position. At the moment, the recently retired Rob Gronkowski probably has that status after winning Super Bowls as Tom Brady’s favorite target on two different teams. Kelce, of course, is some way off as far as rings go, but given his almost supernatural connection with Mahomes, it feels like time and health could be the biggest factors in deciding whether or not the 34-year-old eventually ties Gronk for championships.
Meanwhile, he just keeps doing things we haven’t seen in decades. Kelce picked up more than 100 receiving yards in the first half for the second game in a row. No tight end has done that since 2000. In fact, no player at any position has done that in the last five seasons. Mahomes, Kelce and the Chiefs beat the Chargers 31-17, improving their record to an AFC-best 6-1.
Elsewhere around the league
— The New England Patriots’ 29-25 comeback victory marked Bill Belichick’s 300th regular-season win as a head coach. But it may not have even been the biggest Belichick news of the day as it accompanied reports that the 71-year-old signed a new contract with the Patriots over the offseason. If those reports turn out to be accurate, it seems like this victory will mark the end of the “is this Belichick’s final season” speculation. As for the Bills, they’ve now lost to the 2-5 Pats, the Aaron Rodgers-less New York Jets and spluttered to victory over the woeful New York Giants. An impressive win over the Miami Dolphins aside, they do not look like Super Bowl contenders at this stage of the season.
— In what could turn out to be a preview of the Super Bowl, the Philadelphia Eagles faced the Dolphins on Sunday Night Football. After a dispiriting loss to the Jets last week, the Eagles smothered the potent Miami Dolphins offense, who were limited to just 244 yards. Philly walked away 31-17 winners and have the best record in the NFC at 6-1.
— Quarterback controversy in Chicago? Justin Fields didn’t start on Sunday thanks to a thumb injury. So, instead, Chicago started undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent. Bagent didn’t have eye-popping numbers against the Las Vegas Raiders – he threw for just 162 yards on 21-for-29 passing and a single touchdown – but the Bears had two rushing touchdowns and another on defense. With the 30-12 win, the Bears improved their record to 2-5.
— Quarterback controversies for everybody? Sam Howell had a pretty lousy day as the Washington Commanders’ starting quarterback, taking six sacks against the Giants. The Commanders had a chance to tie the game late, but the Giants defense forced a stop to secure a 14-7 victory. With the loss, Washington’s record dropped to 3-4.
Meanwhile, the Giants had Tyrod Taylor as signal-caller in place of Daniel Jones, who has been recovering from a neck injury and has been rather ineffective in his first season after signing a $160m contract over the offseason. Taylor threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns as New York secured their second victory of the season, ending a four-game losing streak.
Another goal line review goes the way of the Buccaneers.
Desmond Ridder was originally ruled to have scored a TD, which would have put the Falcons up 9 with the PAT pending.
But Tampa’s Antoine Winfield knocked the ball out just before Ridder scored, creating a touchback. pic.twitter.com/6dSL055DOC
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 22, 2023
— The Denver Broncos defeated the Green Bay Packers 19-17. Considering that the Broncos are 2-5 and the Packers 2-4, this game may not end up having any significance on the postseason standings. Why mention it here? Well, it’s entirely because of wide receiver Jayden Reed managing to catch a deflected Jordan Love pass for a touchdown while tumbling down in the end zone. If it weren’t for Bobo’s grab, this would have been the video of the week and it’s proof that in the NFL, even a relatively meaningless contest can provide memorable moments.
— The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense made life difficult for Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder who lost three fumbles on the day. The most glaring was when Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Antoine Winfield Jr knocked the ball out of Ridder’s hands, turning a possible touchdown into a touchback. With Ridder contributing just a single rushing touchdown, Atlanta needed someone to step up and be a hero. That someone turned out to be kicker Younghoe Koo who went 3-for-3 on field goals, including a 51-yarder with time expiring that secured a 16-13 Falcons victory and put them top of the NFC South.
