Tag: Baltimore Ravens records

Ravens reach several milestones in landslide Week 17 win

There were 14 team and individual landmarks within reach for the Baltimore Ravens coming into Week 17. How many were they able to achieve?

The Baltimore Ravens booked their ticket to the postseason on Sunday with a thumping victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. The win gives the Ravens an 11-5 record and was enough for a third consecutive year in the postseason.

While all the attention was rightfully focused on Baltimore getting the win and securing the continuation of their season, there were other storylines at play as well. As we wrote prior to the game, there were 14 team, player, and coach records/milestones within shooting distance.

Here is a look at which of those records the Ravens managed to achieve this season.

Ravens’ 404 rushing yards vs. Bengals sets new franchise record

With 404 yards on the ground against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17, a new Baltimore Ravens record has been set

The Baltimore Ravens continue to run their way into the history books. After last season’s unbelievable, record-setting campaign, they proved it was no fluke with an even more astonishing encore. With their lopsided victory over the lowly Cincinnati Bengals, the Ravens set a new franchise record for single-game rushing yards, gaining 404 yards on the ground.

Rookie running back J.K. Dobbins led the way on the day, rushing for 160 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. It was Dobbins’ 72-yard touchdown run at the end of the third quarter that initially passed the Ravens’ franchise single-game record of 350 yards in a game, originally set in 2003 against the Cleveland Browns. It also helped him extend his franchise record for rookie touchdowns, bringing his total on the year to nine.

Though Dobbins ran for the most yards on the day, Baltimore had plenty of help from the rest of the roster. In total, seven different players had at least one carry. Behind Dobbins, quarterback Lamar Jackson (97 yards), Gus Edwards (60 yards), Mark Ingram (39 yards), Devin Duvernay (22 yards), Justice Hill (21 yards), and Tyler Huntley (five yards) made up the rest.

The Ravens were only 23 yards away from breaking the NFL record for team single-game rushing yards, which was set back in 1934. Had Baltimore kept the starters on the field into the fourth quarter, there’s little doubt they would have broken it by a good margin. But with the playoffs all but clinched at the time, it made far more sense to rest the starters ahead of the wild-card matchup.

Dobbins has proven to be every bit as effective as a rusher as he was at Ohio State, positioning himself as the lead back in Baltimore’s backfield heading into the playoffs. With each passing game, the future at the position looks increasingly bright with Dobbins and Edwards appearing to be the winning complement to Lamar Jackson and their run-heavy offensive approach.

With such youth and energy abound on the field, one has to wonder if these records are only the beginning. How much further can this offense go? If the rushing yard they’ve amassed thus far is any indication, there may be no amount of yardsticks to count.

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J.K. Dobbins breaks Ravens’ rookie TD record

Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins broke the Ravens rookie touchdown record in Week 17, scoring twice to bring his total to nine on the season

The Baltimore Ravens have had many exceptional contributions from their 2020 rookie class this season. From linebacker Patrick Queen all the way to wide receiver James Proche, it seems that Baltimore has found plenty of talent for the present and for the future. However, rookie running back J.K. Dobbins has set a new high bar this season for the Ravens.

In Baltimore’s Week 17 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals, Dobbins broke the franchise rookie touchdown record. His two rushing touchdowns put him at nine total scores on the year, breaking the previous record of seven touchdowns held in a tie by Marquise Brown, Marlon Brown, and Torrey Smith.

Shortly after setting the record in the third quarter with his eighth score of the season, Dobbins extended it after breaking free for a 72-yard touchdown run where he stiff-armed a defender on his way to the end zone.

Dobbins has been exceptional this season, earning every snap he’s played. It was a slow start to the year for Dobbins, as it seemed like he just couldn’t crack a deep running back rotation that also included Mark Ingram and Gus Edwards. However, after producing big play after big play, the coaching staff had no reason to keep Dobbins on the bench, and the team hasn’t looked back since.

When comparing Dobbins to past Baltimore rushers in their rookie seasons, Jamal Lewis comes to mind. If you remember, Lewis started his rookie season playing second fiddle to Priest Holmes before eventually taking the reins and helping the Ravens run to their first Super Bowl victory. While Lewis rushed for significantly more yards than dobbins (1,364 for Lewis, 805 for Dobbins), he did it on significantly more carries (309 for Lewis, 134 for Dobbins). Dobbins actually has a better yards-per-carry average (6.0) than Lewis did in his rookie year (4.4) or even when he went over 2,000 rushing yards in 2003 (5.3).

Dobbins has cemented himself as a key part of Baltimore’s running game for the future. His deceptive speed, elite balance, and knack for big plays have been a welcome addition to an already dangerous Ravens’ offense.

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14 milestones in reach as Ravens close out 2020 regular season

The Baltimore Ravens have a bunch of milestones and records within reach as they close the 2020 regular season against the Bengals.

The Baltimore Ravens go into Week 17 with it all on the line in the AFC playoff picture. A win against the Cincinnati Bengals would see them clinch a playoff spot for the third year in a row, which is obviously the main priority for the players and coaches.

However, football is by its very nature a game of numbers and within these numbers are statistics and milestones. Baltimore has a host of players who, whether they are aware or not, are very close to achieving significant statistical feats in the final game of the 2020 season.

Here are 14 milestones the Ravens have within reach of setting this week, per the team.

Marlon Humphrey passes Terrell Suggs for Ravens’ forced-fumble record

With two forced fumbles in the first half against the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey set a new franchise record.

If Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey hadn’t officially earned the “Fruit Punch” moniker before, he’s done so this season. Against the Cleveland Browns, Humphrey set a new single-season franchise record for forced fumbles.

Humphrey entered the game with six forced fumbles on the season but added two more in the first half against the Browns. Humphrey’s eight forced fumbles in 2020 surpass former Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, who had seven in 2011.

With a half still remaining in this game, Humphrey is on the road to tying Suggs’ single-game franchise record of three forced fumbles. And with three more games left in the regular season, Humphrey has to be eyeing up the NFL’s single-season record of 10 forced fumbles, held by Robert Mathis, Charles Tillman (the original peanut punch), and Osi Umenyiora.

Unfortunately, none of the fumbles Humphrey forced in this game have been recovered. But they do represent opportunities for key turnovers that could be the difference in the Ravens winning this game or losing.

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History says Ravens are Super Bowl bound after 5-1 start

The Baltimore Ravens started the season 5-1 for just the third time in franchise history. The last two times ended with a Super Bowl win.

The Baltimore Ravens haven’t always won pretty this season but with Week 6’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Ravens earned their fifth win of the 2020 NFL season. Baltimore’s 5-1 start is a monumental milestone that points to much greater things on the horizon.

This is just the third time the Ravens have started 5-1. The two other times that happened, Baltimore went on to win the Super Bowl that season.

The Ravens started the 2000 season 5-1 before suffering three consecutive losses where kicker Matt Stover was their entire offense. But as many fans will remember, Baltimore’s defense was on a completely different level and helped guide the team to its first Lombardi trophy.

The Ravens started 5-1 in the 2012 season before seeing some late-season struggles to go 10-6. However, quarterback Joe Flacco really turned it on in the playoffs, guiding Baltimore to their second Super Bowl victory in franchise history while also putting up a historic postseason performance that had him mentioned in the same breath as Joe Montana.

After just six weeks, it’s far too early to tell how the Ravens’ 2020 season will wind up. While Baltimore has struggled to find consistency on offense and stay healthy on defense, they sit at 5-1 right now and that’s a pretty good spot to be. The Ravens get a much-needed bye in Week 7 and will hopefully be able to fix some of their bigger issues to go on a similar Super Bowl tear this season.

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Derrick Mason feels disrespected by snub on Ravens’ all-time team list

Despite owning most of the Baltimore Ravens’ receiving records, wide receiver Derrick Mason was left off the all-time team list by fans.

To celebrate their 25 years as a franchise in the NFL, the Baltimore Ravens asked fans to help create the all-time best starting lineup. While all the selections had merit and it’s a solid team, there were always going to be snubbed players. However, the most egregious had to be wide receiver Derrick Mason, with fans voting Anquan Boldin and Steve Smith Sr. as the team’s starters over him.

Mason was with Baltimore for six seasons after spending his first eight years with the Tennessee Titans (Oilers). He holds the top receiving records in Ravens history, topping the charts in targets (768), receptions (471) and receiving yards (5,777) while finishing third in receiving touchdowns (29). Though Mason missed out on both of Baltimore’s Super Bowl victories, he was a major help in getting franchise-leading quarterback Joe Flacco up to speed quickly.

With how important he was to the franchise and where he stands in the team’s record books, Mason was rightfully upset at the snub. He took to Twitter to voice his displeasure, giving fans a little of the “no respect” line comedian Rodney Dangerfield was famous for.

While both Boldin and Smith have clear places in Baltimore’s legacy, neither come close to topping the franchise’s record books in any major stat. Though both players were with the Ravens for just three years compared to Mason’s six, only Smith managed to put up more yards and receptions per game. At the same time, neither Boldin nor Smith had Kyle Boller, Anthony Wright, or Troy Smith throwing them balls like Mason had before Flacco was selected in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Ravens fans had a tough job of selecting from a bunch of really great players at nearly every position. But it’s tough to see recency bias kick such a monumental player from his earned spot on the all-time list.

Take a look at the selections for Baltimore’s all-time team below.

Ravens All-Time Team: Offense

QB Lamar Jackson
RB Jamal Lewis
FB Vonta Leach
WR Anquan Boldin
WR Steve Smith Sr.
TE Todd Heap
T Jonathan Ogden
G Marshal Yanda
C Matt Birk
G Kelechi Osemele
T Ronnie Stanley

Ravens All-Time Team: Defense

DE Michael McCrary
DT Haloti Ngata
DT Tony Siragusa
OLB Terrell Suggs
OLB Peter Boulware
ILB Ray Lewis
ILB C.J. Mosley
CB Chris McAlister
CB Marlon Humphrey
S Ed Reed
S Rod Woodson

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Mark Ingram goes over 1,000 rushing yards, sets Ravens record with Lamar Jackson

Ravens running back Mark Ingram has rushed for 1,000 yards for the third time in his NFL career.

Some people may have questioned just how much running back Mark Ingram had left in the tank after he signed with the Baltimore Ravens prior to the 2019 season. He was coming off a down year in New Orleans in which he rushed for just 645 yards — his lowest total since 2013. But it is safe to say that Ingram has justified the faith Baltimore showed in signing him.

With a six-yard scamper in the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns, Ingram went past the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season. This is his third season with 1,000 yards on the ground after getting there with the Saints in 2016 and 2017.

Ingram is the second Ravens player to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark this season after his teammate Lamar Jackson did so back in Week 14. Jackson and Ingram are the first pair of teammates to have 1,000 yards in the same season since Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams for the Carolina Panthers back in 2009. They’re also the first pair of Ravens to reach the mark together in a single season.

The Ravens will be looking for more from Ingram and the rest of the offense, as they currently trail the Browns 6-0.

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Lamar Jackson has set a host of Ravens passing records in 2019

A look at some of the Baltimore Ravens passing records Lamar Jackson has already set in 2019.

Now entering Week 16, there can be little doubt that the MVP of the 2019 NFL season is Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson has been simply electric and has wowed fans of all teams (even those he has beaten) with his deeds as a runner. He broke Michael Vick’s single-season record for rushing yards by a quarterback on Thursday night, after all.

But what may have escaped the attention of many is just how good a season as a passer Jackson has had. He leads the NFL with 33 touchdown passes, throwing his scores at a league-high rate of 8.9%. For good measure, Jackson’s 80.9 QBR is also the best among all quarterbacks (his 112.9 passer rating is ranked third).

Jackson’s deeds are also earning him a special place in annals of the Ravens passers. His 33 touchdown passes are tied for the most by a Ravens quarterback in a single season, while his 8.9% touchdown rate is an all-time team record. You have to go all the way back to the first year of the teams’ existence for the other instance of a quarterback registering 33 scores — Vinny Testaverde in 1996. Testaverde had a 7.61 yards per attempt average back then, while Jackson has a team-record 7.81 this year.

Jackson has completed 66.2% of his passes this season, with 245 of his 370 attempts finding a receiver. This is the highest completion percentage by any Ravens quarterback in a single season (minimum 200 attempts). Jackson’s interception rate of 1.62 is also the second-lowest in team history. Joe Flacco had a 1.58 rate in 2018.

Just for good measure, Jackson also owns the team records for quarterback rating (111.2) and adjusted-net-yards per attempt (8.07). The next highest on the latter list is Flacco, and he only managed 6.66 ANY/A in 2014.

For Jackson, claiming Baltimore’s first MVP award would be another proud achievement in a season replete with them. It is hard to see anyone stopping him from doing so.

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