There’s an old adage in football that isn’t nearly as true as we’d all like it to be: “You can’t lose your job to an injury.” While that is a nice notion, things can absolutely change when players aren’t on the field. Though the Baltimore Ravens were on a bye in Week 7, they didn’t lose their spot in the power rankings.
The Ravens came into this week sitting in the No. 6 spot and after the dust has settled from the week’s games, they remain at No. 6 in Touchdown Wire’s latest power rankings list. Writer Mark Schofield used the bye week to take a closer look at one critical question facing Baltimore right now . . . “Could they get even better down the stretch?”
Schofield pointed out the Ravens’ inconsistencies on both offense and defense over the last few weeks, not as a negative but as a potential positive. If Baltimore can get that fearsome defense playing at a top level every down of every week and the offense finally shows some more life, they could go from being above average to great.
The Ravens already did what they needed in order to get the defense moving in the right direction. General manager Eric DeCosta pulled off a trade, landing Pro Bowl pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue. We’ve reviewed some of Baltimore’s biggest offensive issues and ways they could improve them, as well as some potential trade options if the Ravens decided they need more talent on the roster. Much like this time last year, there’s a pretty clear path forward for Baltimore, even if it’s not a guaranteed success.
Having gotten some much-needed rest and time to fix their schematic issues, we’ll see if the Ravens can finally take that leap forward in Week 8 when they take on the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers. That game will help guide the rest of Baltimore’s season and likely impact their standings in the NFL power rankings.
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