was a year ago. That’s a problem, given the unevenness of Baltimore’s offense.68
× BALTIMORE’S AFC-LEADING DEFENSE
DECLINES (THOUGH NOT AS MUCH AS
EXPECTED). The front seven was ravaged
this past offseason. The Ravens most like-
ly anticipated losing OLB Za’Darius Smith
and DL Brent Urban to free agency, but
were surprised to see star
linebacker C.J. Mosley and
future Hall of Fame edge
defender Terrell Suggs
accompany them out the
door. Most of the depart-
ed have been replaced in-
house, resulting in a front
seven that is less skilled
and has little depth. Still,
tackles Brandon Williams
and Michael Pierce, though
perhaps less effective than
they were a few years ago,
remain stalwart run-stop-
pers, and coordinator Wink Martindale
continues to unleash his patented “fire
zone” blitzes, where five men rush in a
disguised pressure while six stay back in
matchup zone coverage.
× MARLON HUMPHREY BECOMES A STAR.
The third-year corner was quietly terrific
last season. He’s key because Baltimore’s
matchup zone coverage often plays outlike man-to-man, so the corners must be
able to shadow receivers one-on-one. Bal-
timore’s can. Jimmy Smith and Brandon
Carr remain viable. But Humphrey plays
the paramount role because he can travel
with most No. 1 receivers.
× EARL THOMAS SHOWCASES HIS SAV VY.
In Seattle, Thomas was mostly a
deep- centerfield safety. But last season
Baltimore’s scheme hinged on the now-
departed Eric Weddle moving around
in aggressive disguises. Coaches push
Thomas toward that style of play more
and more, especially because fellow safety
Tony Jefferson, though better in the box
than in space, is a versatile
counterbalance.
×THE OFFENSE RUNS HOT
AND COLD. Lamar Jackson ,
the electrifying second-
year quarterback, shows
flashes of pocket poise and
accuracy, but his rushing
prowess—coupled with
his growing pains as a
drop-back passer and the
callowness of his receiving
corps—keeps the Ravens in
run-first mode. New coordi-
nator Greg Roman designs
the same kind of ground game that he
did for Colin Kaepernick with the 49ers
in 2012; it is built on read-option looks,
pull-blocking and multi-tight-end move-
ment, with jet-sweep action added to the
mix. It amounts to a lot of smoke and mir-
rors, which is one reason why this offense,
despite strong rushing numbers, remains
inconsistent.WHAT LIES AHEAD
SI’S 2019
PREDICTION
7 – 9
2018 RECORD 10Ð 6
SEP T. 8
@ MIA
SEP T. 15
VS. ARI
SEP T. 22
@ KC
SEP T. 2 9
VS. CLE
OC T. 6
@ PIT
OC T. 1 3
VS. CIN
OC T. 2 0
@ SEA
OC T. 2 7
BYE
NOV. 3
VS. NE
NOV. 10
@ CIN
NOV. 17
VS. HOU
NOV. 25
@ LAR
DEC. 1
VS. SF
DEC. 8
@ BUF
DEC. 12
VS. N YJ
DEC. 22
@ CLE
DEC. 29
VS. PIT
St
re
ng
thQB
31
RB
30
WR/TE
30
OL
12
FRONT 7
26
DB
1
SIM
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