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Ravens vs. Bengals Week 5 stock report: 4 risers, 4 fallers
On Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens escaped Cincinnati with a win that may solely be described as miraculous. Very like opposing groups have usually achieved to Baltimore, the Ravens overcame a double-digit deficit to ship the sport to additional time, after which win it after a classic Derrick Henry run. Whereas Lamar Jackson and the offense performed an distinctive recreation, the protection regarded utterly misplaced in opposition to Bengals QB Joe Burrow and firm. Let’s dive into the most important movers in inventory after the thrilling win.
Inventory Up
Lamar Jackson, QB
The 2-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson had one other classic efficiency on Sunday. After taking place ten-points early within the third quarter, Jackson matched the Bengals blow for blow, engineering three landing drives within the second half and making a number of spotlight performs within the course of. Halfway by the fourth quarter, Jackson made arguably the play of the yr. After bobbling the snap, Jackson stiff-armed defensive finish Sam Hubbard into the dust after which fired an ideal throw again throughout the sphere to tight finish Isaiah Seemingly, all whereas being tackled out of bounds. After 5 weeks, Jackson seems even higher than final season and is as soon as once more within the early MVP dialog.
Zay Flowers, WR
The sophomore Flowers had arguably one of the best recreation of his younger profession in Cincinnati. Flowers’ utilization by 4 weeks had been largely criticized resulting from his lack of involvement down the sphere. Luckily, offensive coordinator Todd Monken was capable of rapidly establish the susceptibility on the again finish of the Bengals protection and used the gifted Flowers to take advantage of it. Flowers torched the Bengals secondary all-day and was Jackson’s go-to-guy on many essential moments within the recreation. Flowers will look to construct on this efficiency and additional solidify his position because the No.1 broad receiver within the Ravens offense.
Tight ends
Baltimore went into season believing they’d one of the best tight finish room within the NFL, and it actually regarded that method on Sunday. Whereas followers have grow to be accustomed to Isaiah Seemingly and Mark Andrews catching passes, third-string tight finish Charlie Kolar additionally balled out with 3 receptions for 64 yards and a landing. Seemingly added two touchdowns on three catches and Mark Andrews had a bounce again recreation with 55 yards on 4 catches.
Todd Monken, OC
The sport plan from the Bengals was clear: cease the run. Whereas Baltimore wasn’t utterly shut down on the bottom, it was clear the Bengals have been promoting out in opposition to Baltimore’s prime ranked dashing assault. Monken rapidly adjusted and play-actioned the Cincinnati protection to loss of life within the second half. The Ravens dominant run recreation gained’t all the time look as nice because it did in opposition to Buffalo however video games like this present they’ve the horses to counter opponents after they sellout in opposition to Henry and Jackson.
Inventory Down
Zach Orr, DC
After an excellent defensive efficiency in opposition to Josh Allen and the Payments, the Ravens protection had their worst recreation since their 2022 shootout with the Miami Dolphins. Whereas the gamers on the sphere are those really enjoying the sport, there needs to be some accountability for the particular person main the group. Going in opposition to an offense like Cincinnati’s will all the time be a tricky check. Nonetheless, too many instances it appeared like gamers have been out of place, or unable to acknowledge sure personnel groupings or conditions that will warrant a particular sort of protection. The Ravens had some success blitzing Burrow within the first half however struggled to get dwelling within the second half. Merely put, there’s an excessive amount of expertise on this protection for them to be placing out one of these efficiency. Orr and firm might want to alter quick with QB Jayden Daniels and the red-hot Commanders coming to city on Sunday.
Marcus Williams, S
It’s been fairly the tough begin to the yr for Williams who the Ravens signed to a 5-year, $70 million contract earlier than the 2022 season. Within the first few video games of that season, Williams regarded like a premier security, making performs everywhere in the subject. Nonetheless, accidents took their toll on Williams who has struggled to remain wholesome the previous two seasons. Now, lastly wholesome, Williams is someway wanting worse than he was final yr when he was enjoying with one arm on account of a pec damage he suffered earlier within the season. PFF presently has Williams graded because the worst security within the NFL, validating the attention check Ravens followers have seen by 5 weeks.
Brandon Stephens, CB
Stephens had a breakout season in 2023, establishing himself as a borderline lockdown cornerback all through the earlier yr. This season has been a special story. Stephens has been picked on all yr and has let up a number of yards. Prior issues about Stephens not having the ability to find the soccer have resurfaced as opposing quarterbacks have been exploiting him on again shoulder throws. Stephens has drawn some robust receiver assignments however must be higher if the Ravens protection is to enhance.
Linebackers
Whereas the Ravens have been torched throughout the sphere on Sunday, the protection has notably struggled to shrink the center of the sphere for opponents. The Ravens are asking rather a lot from Roquan Smith on protection proper now. Through the Buffalo recreation, Zach Orr pivoted to a dime protection that gave QB Josh Allen points. Whereas it was profitable in opposition to Buffalo’s subpar receiving unit, it was rapidly picked aside by Burrow who discovered success throughout the center of the sphere and on slant routes, notably within the redzone. The Ravens clearly don’t belief Trenton Simpson in go protection, and because of this are transferring S Kyle Hamilton into his spot on passing downs. Orr is placing Hamilton and Smith in a tricky spot, but it surely doesn’t change the truth that they’ve allowed too many completions throughout the center of the sphere and for opposing quarterbacks to search out simple throwing home windows.