The Ravens won another hard-fought game against the New York Jets. For the first time ever in their NFL career, the rookie class has a winning percentage above.500. Let’s start.
Starks finished the day with four tackles, despite being quiet and relatively error-free. He is a constant presence in the Ravens’ run game. They can trust him to cover holes or be near the line-of-scrimmage when necessary. The secondary didn’t have the best day in terms of coverage, as they let multiple passes of more than 15 yards. Starks made a touchdown saving tackle on Breece hall’s 40 yard catch-and run. Marlon Humphrey’s 40-yard catch and run was saved by Starks.
Green is finally starting to look like the edge rusher the Ravens hoped they would get in the first round. He continued to improve his run game each week, with five more pressures and a sack on Sunday. Green had the highest grade of any Ravens defender, according to PFF (excluding T.J. Tampa who played only two snaps).
Jones was activated for his first game day this week, but did not play any snaps. John Harbaugh said that it was in the plan for him to get reps at some point, possibly in a rotation on the offensive line. We’ll just have to wait.
Buchanan played 45 out of 59 defensive snaps for the Ravens. The rookie linebacker is very aware when he drops into zone coverage, and he consistently hits his markers. He tackles in space and moves quickly from sideline to the other. Smith is closing on him, but he remains the Ravens top tackler. The Day 3 draft pick has had a great rookie season. He is now fully established in his role.
Vinson, who had been active the previous two weeks, was scratched this week. The Ravens have scratched Ben Cleveland as Emery Jones is now active. Cleveland was scratched by the Ravens, and they needed an experienced offensive lineman to fill in for Cleveland. Joseph Noteboom, a backup, was activated on game day. Vinson was then scratched. This is not an indication of Vinson’s decline, but a need for veteran linemen on the roster. It is hoped that either Vinson or Jones can continue to improve to fill this role so they both remain active in future games and neither veteran has to sit out.
Loop is the official offense at this moment. This is reminiscent of 2010 Ravens under Joe Flacco where the plan was to get in field goal range, and then pound threes all day. Loop made three more field goal attempts in this game, preventing the Ravens’ shutout in the first-half and adding two extra points in the fourth-quarter to seal the deal. He also made both point-after attempts.
The fourth penalty for landing in the zone was also flagged on kickoffs. The issue has improved since the three penalties he received in the early weeks of the season. This was a well-planned trick kick that just missed the landing area. If it had gone a little bit further, the returners would have been in a difficult position to return. At this point, I don’t care. I’m not bothered by the Ravens trying out kickoffs.
Wester had a quiet day, with zero punts returned and only one offensive snap. Wester was not on the kickoff team either. He didn’t make a mistake during the four punts that he returned for. Either he let them bounce, or he caught them fairly, even though he had go down to the ground on one.