Ravens Doomed by Defense

There was one thing we could always count on with the Baltimore Ravens. They were tough on defense. In the span of 2016 through 2020, they were in the top 10 in fewest points and yards allowed each season. A slight step backward last season, largely because of injury.

The Ravens fired defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale, pinning blame on him.

Martindale landed on his feet with the New York Giants, who are now 3-1 largely because Martindale has improved Big Blue’s defensive ranking by 15 spots. Meanwhile, in Baltimore, there’s no lead that’s safe.

So, two weeks ago, it was the Miami Dolphins engineering a furious comeback, beating the Ravens after overcoming a three-touchdown deficit.. This past Sunday, it was the Buffalo Bills, completely inept on offense (down by 17 in the second half), authoring a comeback to eventually win the game with a field goal on the final play.

It was the first time in Bills’ history (try 1960) that they won a game after not leading until the final play (of regulation), and the 17-point comeback was their largest since 2011. It was the second time this season Baltimore lost a lead of at least 17 points. They lost that large of a lead three times in their history before this season.

Going back to last season, the Ravens have lost five straight games at home.

Baltimore’s still the favorite to win the AFC North, priced at -105 according to NFL odds. However, instead of the Ravens sitting at 4-0, they’re 2-2 since their defense abandoned them.

Steelers Turn to Pickett

Pittsburgh isn’t going to threaten the Baltimore Ravens-or the other two teams-in the AFC North, The club is +3300 to win the division, having finally turned the page by putting in rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett.

Normally, you’d want to give a rookie quarterback a week of work with the first team before putting him into a game, but coach Mike Tomlin said he made the move Sunday, benching ineffective Mitchell Trubisky because his team needed a spark. They did indeed get that after the change, as the rookie had a pair of touchdowns on the ground. Pittsburgh lost, 24-20, however, after a late score by the visiting New York Jets.

Pickett ended 10-of-13 (120 yards, three interceptions), though two of his picks were long (tipped) passes. Tomlin doesn’t know who will get the start this Sunday at the Buffalo Bills.

Rhule to Bench Mayfield?

For most teams, having a quarterback who can’t get to 200 yards passing in a game, and doesn’t generate touchdowns in spite of having the playmakers generally means a decision isn’t difficult. Try the understudy. 

However, the Carolina Panthers have another quarterback in Sam Darnold, and that’s the issue, Darnold is Mayfield, but without any of the successes. So, even though Mayfield and the Panthers are 1-3 with a terrible offense, coach Matt Rhule isn’t committing to a change.

“I believe we can play better than that,” Rhule said. "We have to get it corrected, but in terms of any one person, I don’t think it’s right to speak on it right now."

Some of the coach’s reluctance is because the Panther problems predate Mayfield, but not Rhule. Carolina is now 1-26 under Rhule when their opponent scores at least 17 points.

In the NFL, that’s not a lot of points, certainly not to always lose games. The coach and tbe quarterback may both lose their jobs soon if this continues.

Carolina is fourth choice at +750 to end the season with the fewest wins, as per NFL futures.

Eagles League’s Lone Unbeaten

Some might question if the Philadelphia Eagles have even been tested, with the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars their toughest opponents to date. However, last Sunday, in a torrential downpour at home via the remnants of Hurricane Ian, Philadelphia clawed its way out of an early deficit en route to a 29-21 win.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts added another 242 yards (and a rushing touchdown) to his season total. As the only 4-0 team in the NFL, Philly is paying +700 to win the Super Bowl (that’s second with the Kansas City Chiefs, just behind the Buffalo Bills at +400).