For the fourth straight year, the Baltimore Ravens have begun their season with a 3-1 record.
It’s not just 2012 that’s been good to the Ravens, as they have won 10 straight divisional games (12 out of 13) and 14 straight home games (22 of 23). They’ve begun to establish their ideal offensive pace, mostly with the no-huddle offense, which has worked beautifully. Baltimore ranks fourth in total offense and is gaining an average of 424 yards per game (third in passing, 11th in rushing).
Defensively is where the weakness is. Currently Baltimore has the 25th overall defense (390.2 yards allowed per game), although its scoring defense is 10th (20.8 points allowed per game). Even though points allowed is the only stat that matters, that is subpar for a traditional Ravens defense. Sure they’ve played some explosive offenses, but this group isn’t one for excuses. They know they can and need to play better.
All that said, Baltimore is 3-1 (2-0 in division) and in sole possession of first place. In essence, the Ravens are two points away from being undefeated.
Like we knew, this is a talented, diversely skilled team that is built to peak in December and January.
For now, here are my grades for each position:
Defensive Line
Grade: B
Key Player: Haloti Ngata
Analysis: Baltimore’s defensive line has helped its defense achieve ranks of 11th in rush defense (3.2 yards per carry) and seventh in sacks (nine). Ngata continues to be the catalyst for its success. Twenty tackles and two sacks in four games aren’t typical numbers for an interior defensive lineman. Ngata’s abilities are anything but typical.
Pernell McPhee, Arthur Jones, Terrence Cody and Ma’ake Kemoeatu don’t have the stats, but they are stout run-defenders, which is a necessity of any AFC North team with postseason aspirations. Besides Kemoeatu, the average age of those four players is 25.
Linebackers
Grade: C
Courtesy: Getty Images
Key Player: Courtney Upshaw
Analysis: This unit has been average so far. Pass coverage has been below average, and its run defense has been above average (at least for normal defenses). In other words, the linebackers unit hasn’t shown you anything that blows you away.
The man charged with holding down the fort in Terrell Suggs‘ absence is rookie Courtney Upshaw, who has done a very nice job through his first four NFL games. With 17 tackles and half of a sack, plus an improving knowledge of how to play the run, Upshaw has fought through a shoulder injury to validate him being picked 35th overall in April’s draft.
Defensive Backs
Grade: B-
Key Player: Lardarius Webb
Analysis: This would be the best secondary in the league if Cary Williams hadn’t played so poorly in the first three games. As it is, the Ravens rank 28th in pass defense (295.8 pass yards allowed per game). Ed Reed is hitting like he used to while maintaining a high level of coverage skills, Bernard Pollard is playing like Jack Tatum and Webb is as complete of a cornerback as there is in this league. When you think of Webb, think of Darrelle Revis without the recognition, but with the ability to return punts.
Sure Williams had an interception for a touchdown versus Cleveland, but in his three previous games, he often looked lost and was frequently beaten in coverage. Jimmy Smith could be a starter in time and, when healthy, gets better each game. Smith’s size and Webb’s coverage ability give Baltimore a lot of options on how to cover opposing receivers.
Special Teams
Grade: A
Key Player: Justin Tucker
Courtesy: Nick Wass/Associated Press
Analysis: Sam Koch has been an excellent punter since Day 1. Tucker is following Koch’s lead and is beginning his career along the same path. Tucker has made eight of his nine attempts on the year, including two from more than 50 yards out. His 56-yard field goal at Philadelphia is the second-longest this season (San Francisco‘s David Akers tied an NFL record with a 63-yard field goal at Green Bay in Week 1).
In this his seventh NFL season, Koch is averaging 46.8 yards per punt (the highest mark of his career). He also is tied for second in the league with eight punts downed inside the 20-yard line. You could’ve guessed Koch would play well, and based on his training camp performance, Tucker hasn’t been a surprise. But to see Tucker’s success translate to real games validates the Ravens’ choice to stick with him over Billy Cundiff.
