For the second season in a row, the Ravens’ Week 2 matchup will be their home opener as a heavy favorite after starting 0-1. The Cleveland Browns are coming into town and arguably the biggest storyline is the return of Joe Flacco to Baltimore in what will be his first start there since he was traded from the Ravens in 2019.
After a collapse of epic proportions in Buffalo, the Ravens can’t have a repeat of last year — where they lost to the Raiders in Week 2 after losing to the Chiefs and fell to 0-2.
So, let’s go over what the Ravens have to do to get to 1-1 and keep their hopes for the AFC’s No. 1 seed alive.
1) Stay composed
Last week, I said the theme would be “Stay Calm” and I’d say it often. Well, I’m already backtracking and changing it to composed. The Ravens can win every game if they are mistake-free. Instead, they dropped interceptions, allowed points to close a half, fumbled, and let the Bills march down the field multiple times to end the game. The tackle made near the end zone with time running out was another mental error, resulting from a lack of situational awareness and a loss of composure. As has been the modus operandi for this team the last couple of years, they panicked at the end and gave the game away to the Bills. They need to stay composed, not make mistakes, and make the plays that come to them. Speaking of which . . .
2) Catch the ball
Last year, the Ravens lost a game to the Browns on the road. There were multiple drops on offense by numerous receivers. Even worse, the secondary dropped no fewer than five interceptions that would have changed or finished the game. Joe Flacco isn’t the guaranteed interception machine that Jameis Winston’s style of play is known for. In his recent years, though, Flacco has gotten looser with the ball — slinging it around the yard and taking more risks. His first stint with Cleveland in 2023 was the highest interception rate of his career, even if it was only a five-game sample.
The Ravens’ defense will likely have the opportunity to take the ball away, more than once probably. They dropped two interception chances last week against the Buffalo Bills. When the chances come, they need to take advantage of them.
3) Get to the quarterback
Last week, the pass rush looked disappointing. It could have been the plan, trying to fill rush lanes and corral Josh Allen in the pocket. This week, the Ravens need to get after Flacco. Flacco’s mobility is not what it once was, and he was sacked twice last week. Unlike against the Allen, the Ravens front seven has a rare chance to truly pin their ears back and get after the quarterback, not a common place against most quarterbacks in the NFL these days. I expect Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, Mike Green, Nnamdi Madubuike, and more to be in Flacco’s face all day. Also, look out for defensive backs like Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton to apply pressure in the backfield too.
4) Keep the aggression
Last week, I said staying calm would be key for this team all year. Apparently, the Ravens coaches read it and took it too seriously. They got up by 15 points in the fourth quarter, played conservatively the rest of the game, and allowed the Bills to storm back while they calmly did nothing on their end to stop it. It’s not how this team is meant to play. They aren’t supposed to sit back in a prevent defense nor stop running the offense that put up 40 points in Buffalo before the game is over.
So instead, the Ravens need to remain aggressive. If the Ravens get a double-digit lead, they need to look to make it a triple-digit lead. The gas pedal needs a cement brick taped to it. When there’s a fourth-down chance that can seal the game, they need to run the offense out there and convert. Bring back the 2019 aggression. That was a team that put opponents away all regular season. Seattle, New England, Houston, Los Angeles, Buffalo; the Ravens either made plays or forced turnovers late in those games to seal them or simply buried opponents the entire 60 minutes. Bring it back.
