TheBaltimore Ravens left Brazil with more than a victory. After two weeks, questions about finishing games, offensive consistency, and defensive communication have followed them. Sunday's dramatic 34-31 win over the Dallas Cowboys didn't eliminate every concern, but it gave the Ravens what they desperately needed: proof they could respond when a game hung in the balance.
Tyler Loop's game-winning field goalcapped one of the NFL's most entertaining contests of the young season and helped Baltimore improve to 2-1. The result also altered the conversation surrounding Jesse Minter's team. Instead of dissecting another late-game collapse, analysts are now evaluating whether the Ravens are beginning to look like a legitimate AFC contender.
Across the
league's major power rankings, opinions vary. Some outlets see a team trending upward after a signature win. Others are waiting for more consistency before moving Baltimore higher. Here's where the Ravens landed on a few national platforms' power rankings this week as the page turns to Week 4.
CBS Sports
CBS Sports' Pete Prisco liked the Ravens' performance so much that he raised them from 11th last week. He now has them back in his top ten, and they land at number eight.
"Beating the Cowboys on the last play really changes how they feel about their start. There is a big difference between 2-1 and 1-2 in the tough AFC North."
USA TODAY
USA TODAY's Nate Davis remains skeptical. Last week, the Ravens were ranked 15th. This week, they're 13th. Here's the explanation.
"13. Baltimore Ravens (15): What are the odds John Harbaugh rolls the dice with 7 seconds left trying to get into field-goal range Sunday in Rio? What are the odds Baltimore will get through Week 4 unscathed at center, rookie Vega Ioane − the fourth option at the beleaguered position − set to take over as the starter this week."
FOX Sports
Ralph Vacchiano agrees with CBS Sports and ranks the Ravens eighth. Here's his explanation.
"They pulled out a wild win on a bad field in Rio versus the Cowboys, despite another shaky effort from Jesse Minter’s defense. The Ravens probably belong in the top 10, though, as long as Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry stay healthy, because that remains one of the most lethal 1-2 punches in the league. This Ravens defense has a shot to get on track with a relatively soft stretch of games against Tennessee, Atlanta, and Cleveland up next. That’s Baltimore's chance to make an early run."
ESPN
ESPN's NFL Nation places the Ravens fifth, their highest ranking among these four platforms. The Kansas City Chiefs(ranked third) and the Buffalo Bills(ranked first) are the only two teams they chart higher. Jamison Hensley offers the following.
5. Baltimore Ravens (2-1) "Andrews had surrendered the title of Lamar Jackson's No. 1 target to WR Zay Flowers, but there was hope that he would remain an option in the red zone. He has only one red zone target on eight routes run this season. Now, he is dealing with a hand injury that limited his playing time in Week 3. Andrews, who was ranked as the TE14 before the season, is currently 19th in scoring at his position."
That's an improvement of two spots after they landed seventh following Week 2.
Worth a thought: Three weeks into the season, the Ravens still feel difficult to define. The offense has produced explosive moments but has not always operated smoothly. The defense continues searching for four-quarter consistency.
Injuries have forced younger players into larger roles, yet despite those challenges, Baltimore sits at 2-1 with a résumé that now includes one of the season's most memorable victories. The upcoming matchup with the Tennessee Titans provides another opportunity to shape the narrative. A win would likely push the Ravens higher across the national rankings. Another uneven performance could reinforce the belief that Baltimore remains a talented team still searching for its identity.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Power Rankings Roundup: Where do the Ravens stand entering Week 4
