The Baltimore Ravens are riding high after escaping Week 5 with a victory. Among the highlights, Tyler Huntley's performance is encouraging. He answered many of the questions he entered the game with, and if he keeps up his consistency, Lamar Jackson may very well return to a better team than he left, one that has improved in his absence.
Make no mistake. Despite a road win that required overtime, some looming issues remain. Baltimore still makes things more difficult on themselves than necessary at times. As they prepare for their Week 6 AFC North clash with the Cleveland Browns, several areas need attention.
That's especially true if Tyler Huntley takes another start in place of Lamar Jackson. The Ravens have shown they can overcome adversity,
but relying on late-game rallies becomes riskier as the season progresses. A roadmap for Baltimore to gain added traction in the stretch run starts with a few areas they can improve this coming Sunday.
1. Get off to a faster start behind Tyler Huntley
Tyler Huntley deserves credit for helping Baltimore pull out the overtime win against Atlanta, but the Ravens need to make his job easier against Cleveland. Asking a backup quarterback to repeatedly manufacture scoring drives under pressure isn't a sustainable offensive strategy, especially against a division opponent that can exploit mistakes.
Baltimore must establish its offensive rhythm earlier, whether that means finding easier completions, getting the running game moving, or avoiding drive-killing penalties. The objective is to give Huntley a manageable game script rather than forcing him to chase points late. A faster start would also let the Ravens play more balanced and make their offense less predictable.
2. Make the defense's job easier by limiting explosive plays
The Ravens' opponents average 23.8 points per game, a figure that isn't disastrous but deserves attention. Baltimore allowed 23 points to Atlanta before winning in overtime, and that performance reinforced how much pressure the defense can place on an offense when it struggles to create separation on the scoreboard.
Huntley shouldn't have to produce three touchdowns or more just to keep Baltimore competitive. The Ravens need their defense to limit scoring opportunities, particularly when opponents reach the red zone, and force more possessions to end without points. Even a modest improvement could give the offense more flexibility and reduce the burden on Huntley.
3. Get opposing offenses off the field on third down
Baltimore's third-down defense remains one of its most pressing concerns. After allowing Atlanta to convert nine of 17 third-down attempts, the Ravens have surrendered 27 conversions on 65 opponent attempts, a 41.5% rate. Baltimore's offense has converted 20 of 52 third downs, or 38.5%, meaning the Ravens haven't built a meaningful advantage in a crucial area of the game.
The disparity becomes more concerning on fourth down. Opponents have converted four of eight attempts (50%), while Baltimore has converted only one of four (25%). Those situations extend drives, increase the number of plays a defense must withstand, and put additional pressure on an offense to respond.
The Ravens have run 310 offensive plays and faced 310 defensive plays, leaving the teams even in total volume. Improving third-down execution could help Baltimore control possession, limit the opposition's opportunities, and keep its defense fresher late in games.
4. Stop beating themselves with turnovers and penalties
This could be said every week, and it wouldn't be enough if it keeps happening. Discipline remains a recurring concern for Baltimore. The Ravens improved in Week 5, committing five penalties for 40 yards, but their season totals now stand at 44 infractions for 369 yards. Opponents have been penalized just 28 times for 251 yards, leaving Baltimore at a disadvantage in both frequency and yardage.
Turnovers compound the problem by giving opponents short fields and changing momentum. Baltimore overcame a costly fumble/scoop-and-score against Atlanta, but it cannot assume that every mistake will be offset by a late comeback. To make their path through the AFC North less complicated, the Ravens must protect the football, eliminate avoidable penalties, and execute more consistently.
The bottom line: Baltimore has shown resilience, but it shouldn't replace clean football. If the Ravens start faster, improve their third-down defense, and stop giving away opportunities, they can put Huntley and the rest of the team in a better position to succeed against Cleveland.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens vs. Browns: 4 areas Baltimore must improve in Week 6
