The Ravens are what they are — a wild card team ready to make some noise
The Ravens are getting hot at just the right time, and that could change the AFC landscape in the playoffs.
You often hear "it is what it is" emanating from the Baltimore Ravens. That aptly connects to "they are what they are." A playoff and Super Bowl-contending team often overlooked. Sometimes disrespected. Seldom feared.
An 8-6 team that few comprehend.
The quarterback, Joe Flacco, has thrown 14 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. The offense ranks 27th based on offensive yards gained. They were waxed 44-7 at Jacksonville early this season. They were swept this year by AFC North division rival and champion Pittsburgh. Baltimore started 3-4 and twice in that stretch suffered two-game losing streaks, including a loss to the gloomy Chicago Bears.
But Baltimore’s 40-0 pasting of Miami on Oct. 26 ignited a current 5-2 stretch. Those two losses were by three points to Tennessee and one point to Pittsburgh. They now rank eighth in average points per game (24.6). Fourth in average points allowed per game (18.3). Their turnover differential is a sparkling plus-17. They have amassed 38 sacks while limiting Flacco to 25, ninth-fewest in the league. They have three Pro Bowl players: Linebackers C.J. Mosley and Terrell Suggs and safety Eric Weddle. Kicker Justin Tucker is a Pro Bowl alternate.
The Ravens in the last decade have been a model of NFL steadfastness. Sure, they have not made the playoffs in the last two seasons, compiling 5-11 and 8-8 records. But before that they waltzed into playoff action six times in seven seasons, winning it all in the 2013 Super Bowl. There has been no New York Giants-like splat (2-12 this season) with these Ravens.
The Ravens’ current chance of making the playoffs is computed to be more than 90 percent.
Let’s make that 100 percent.
No NFL team has a more promising road to the playoffs than Baltimore. The Ravens play at home on Saturday night against 3-11 Indianapolis and finish at home the following week against 5-9 Cincinnati. Win both and the Ravens are in.
It is what it is.
They are what they are.
They are a team that relies on football fundamentals — blocking and tackling. They are a strong-minded bunch, one built for endurance.
"It is hard to see in September what you are going to look like in December," said Ozzie Newsome, in his 15th full season as Ravens general manager. "Some teams start fast and get to December and struggle. It’s always a marathon to see if you get to play in January. It has become a year-to-year league. Every year is a year of its own. You have to do what you can every day to get in position to rack up wins. And then just hope you have enough. It’s possible now that we can get ourselves into this thing."
Flacco and receiver Mike Wallace are connecting on more big plays. The running game is refreshed with second-year back Alex Collins from Arkansas (844 yards, five rushing touchdowns) and third-year back Javorius Allen from USC (517 yards, four rushing touchdowns). Mosley just earned his third Pro Bowl of his four NFL seasons. Suggs has produced 11 sacks and four forced fumbles. Weddle has six of the team’s 22 interceptions.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has kept his team rigid.
This late-season Saturday night game should not flummox the Ravens.
"Games in our league are now played on Thursdays, Saturdays, Sunday nights ..." Newsome said. "It’s all just part of the landscape. John does a great job getting this team ready despite the game day. We’ve played good defense and have been able to get turnovers. Lately our offense has started to get more chunk plays and that really helps."
What the Ravens have in abundance is an "it is what it is" attitude that serves them well in becoming what they are. They are not easily distracted or discouraged. They attempt to keep things around them simple and the games that way, too.
That is Baltimore’s fabric — accountability and experience.
"Any time we’ve had a team do something exceptional here, it has been accomplished with strong veteran leadership in that locker room," Newsome said. "I like the veteran leadership in there that we have now. Along with if we continue to stay healthy, that’s the part that will help see us through."