ESPN analyst reveals one issue that 'disqualifies' Ravens as Super Bowl contenders
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ESPN analyst reveals one issue that 'disqualifies' Ravens as Super Bowl contenders originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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The Baltimore Ravens are 4-3 on the season after their Week 7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Unfortunately, it was another week without Lamar Jackson for the Ravens, which made their loss not too big of a surprise.
However, that Week 7 loss for the Ravens further revealed a flaring issue for the team that might wind up being the one problem that ends their season.
ESPN's Ben Solak believes that this one issue "disqualifies" the Ravens as contenders. That one problem? The Baltimore pass defense.
Ravens' pass defense 'disqualifies' them as contenders, per ESPN
"I think ... the Ravens' pass defense disqualifies them as a contender," Solak writes. "Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow had a perfect passer rating (158.3) in the second half against the Ravens on Sunday."
The Baltimore defense is better at stopping the run than stopping the pass, but even if Lamar Jackson and this Ravens offense are cooking, their pass defense struggles will make keeping pace with other top offenses difficult.
Solak shared how, "According to Next Gen Stats, the Ravens are 29th in completion percentage surrendered (64.8%) and 26th in yards per attempt allowed (7.8) on plays with a pass probability of at least 75%."
What that means is the Ravens' defense is allowing receptions and a lot of yards on the obvious passing downs. When the Ravens should be ready for a pass, they are still struggling in coverage.
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While the defensive line is getting pressure, the cornerbacks and safeties, along with the linebackers, are not playing well in coverage. Marlon Humphrey isn't as good as he once was, and they have struggled to figure out the secondary as a whole this season.
Baltimore's pass coverage has been poor this season, and with some real issues there, Solak doesn't believe in the Ravens as legitimate contenders.
Whether it's players turning things around, Jesse Minter making a change, or the Ravens landing some help at the trade deadline, the Ravens need better production from their pass coverage this season if they want to contend for a Super Bowl.
While the Jackson injury issue is a huge problem as well, even if he's healthy, this pass defense continuing to struggle would likely be the end of any hopes of this team contending.
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