One Common Thread In Three Wins
It’s the most pleasant surprise of the season’s first quarter, says The Baltimore Sun’s Matt Vensel.
It’s also the common thread in the Ravens’ three victories so far this season, says The Sun’s Kevin Van Valkenburg.
It’s the Ravens’ pass rush wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks.
“They went after Ben Roethlisberger, Sam Bradford and Mark Sanchez like the Visigothic army spilling over the gates of Rome,” wrote Van Valkenburg.
Under Chuck Pagano’s aggressive system, the defense has notched 11 sacks and 28 quarterback hits through four games. It comes a year after the Ravens recorded a franchise-low 27 sacks in 2010.
In Week 1, the Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger went 22-of-41 for 280 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions and a 52.9 quarterback rating.
In Week 3, the Rams’ Sam Bradford went 16-of-32 for 166 yards, one touchdown, one interception and a 62.8 quarterback rating.
And in Week 4, the Jets’ Mark Sanchez went 11-of 35 for 199 yards, 0 touchdowns, one interception and a 30.5 quarterback rating.
“I don’t really believe intimidation plays a big role in professional football, but I will say that it has to hurt like hell to get blasted by Haloti Ngata or Terrell Suggs,” wrote Van Valkenburg. “There just haven’t been too many guys in the history of the NFL with the combination of that much size and speed.
“And that’s why it’s so important for the Ravens to create havoc up front. Quarterbacks remember that sting. When you’re constantly worrying about blocking Ngata up the middle and Suggs on the edge – which the Jets obviously were Sunday night – that creates plenty of opportunities for a playmaker like Ed Reed to create a turnover.”
That Ed Reed-forced turnover is one of a whopping 14 so far this season. The Ravens are on pace to finish with 56. The franchise record is 49 from the iconic 2000 season.
In the Ravens’ one defeat, quick-releasing Matt Hasselbeck was never sacked. He carried his team to victory while going 30-of-42 for 358 yards, one touchdown, one interception and a 95.1 quarterback rating.
So if the Ravens want continued success, starting against the Houston Texans and quarterback Matt Schaub, Van Valkenburg suggests to blitz, blitz and blitz some more.
“It will be interesting to see how Baltimore looks against Houston in two weeks, especially if they have Jimmy Smith back, because Matt Schaub can handle pressure and the Texans have a good offensive line. I’d still blitz like hell if I were Pagano. (Especially if Andre Johnson’s hamstring isn’t 100 percent.)
“Schaub might burn you a few times, but he’ll be woozy by the 4th quarter. When Sanchez threw the interception that Lardarius Webb turned into a 74-yard touchdown, he was trying to throw a short pass in the flat with a three-step drop. The Jets stopped calling patterns with five- and seven-step drops because he was getting hammered. That’s the kind of wear and tear the Ravens can put on a quarterback.”
Are The Jets And Steelers Done?
Of course, not.
We’re only through four weeks of the season.
But the outlook doesn’t look good for two of the Ravens’ biggest rivals, and there a few people willing to make bold predictions about their seasons.
“The Jets were fortunate to even be in [the Ravens] game at all,” wrote Van Valkenburg. “In fact, I’m going to go ahead and predict they don’t make the playoffs this year, especially if they don’t get back to running the ball.”
As for the Steelers, they got some good news yesterday.
Roethlisberger underwent an MRI on his left foot following a 17-10 loss to the Texans, revealing he has a sprained foot and there isn’t a fracture.
Big Ben has already said he will play through the pain and swelling, but his offensive line can’t seem to protect him.
On the defensive side, Pittsburgh gave up 150 yards to running back Arian Foster.
Are they done?
“Unless they get the trenches solidified and corrected, yes,” said ESPN analyst Merril Hoge. “When you can dictate to the Steelers that you’re going to run the football on them and control them and you can’t run the football and then protect your quarterback, for just a second, you got no shot to win.”
Brown Died Of Diabetes Complications
Orlando Brown was found dead Sept. 23 in his South Baltimore apartment, but the cause of death wasn’t known as family, friends and fans were awaiting analysis from the state medical examiner.
The examiner has now ruled that the 6-foot-7, 370-pounder died from diabetic ketoacidosis, according to The Baltimore Sun’s Edward Lee.
Brown, 40, was a Washington native and played for the Ravens from 1996 to 1998 and from 2003 to 2005.
M&T Bank Stadium had a moment of silence for Brown Sunday prior to the Jets contest.
Read more on the man nicknamed “Zeus” and the Ravens’ reaction to his passing.
Quick Hits
- The Ravens’ only loss of the season was considered by some to be embarrassing because the Titans weren’t considered to be a playoff-caliber team. “Don’t look now, but there’s something brewing in Tennessee,” wrote Jason La Canfora. “Chris Johnson quietly put together his first 100-yard rushing effort in the Titans’ 31-13 win over the Browns. Matt Hasselbeck continues to light people up, even without Kenny Britt, throwing three more touchdowns Sunday. And the young defense is playing better than expected.” [NFL.com]
- “The vitriol spewed at [cornerback Domonique] Foxworth was really disheartening,” wrote Van Valkenburg. “If you were one of those people who called him “‘Foxworthless‘” and blamed him for the Ravens losing Josh Wilson, or called him the worst signing in Ravens history, then do me a favor and don’t bother reading this column ever again. I’m serious.” [The Baltimore Sun]
- First quarter Ravens awards. [The Baltimore Sun]
- AnquanBoldin: Congrats to @LarryFitzgerald for becoming the #Cardinals all time receiving leader yesterday. Well done. [Twtter]
- 1WinningDrive: No news on the Tom Zbikowski concussion front, says HC John Harbaugh [Twitter]
- Former Ravens Super Bowl-winning quarterback and ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer is loving what he sees with the Ravens’ 2011 defense. [ESPN]
