Why the Ravens are the Top Contenders in the AFC Following Their Convincing Victory Over the Seahawks in Week 9…
The Ravens have solidified their position as the team to watch in the AFC, thanks to a stellar defensive display and a highly efficient performance from Lamar Jackson in Week 9.
Currently boasting a 7-2 record, tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for the best in the AFC, Baltimore leads the fiercely competitive AFC North division. Here’s why the Ravens are the frontrunners in the AFC.
Lamar Jackson’s Error-Free Quarterback Play Lamar Jackson has often been characterized as a run-first quarterback, under pressure to prove his prowess as a passer.
While his MVP season in 2019 saw him throw 36 touchdowns, he hasn’t come close to replicating that feat since then. During this period, his completion rate dropped, and his interception rate increased. Consequently, the Ravens fell short of the 13-win total they achieved in 2019.
This season, however, the Ravens are on track to reach that 13-win mark. Although Lamar Jackson is on pace for another modest touchdown tally (nine passing TDs in nine games), his decision-making and passing efficiency are precisely what the Baltimore offense requires.
His career-high completion rate of 71.5% leads the NFL, and his career-low interception rate of just 1.2% is a significant improvement. In the Week 9 game against the Seahawks, Jackson went 21/26 for 187 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions, as the Ravens won by a staggering 34-point margin.
For those who doubted Lamar Jackson’s ability to be a playmaker with his arm, it’s now evident that he can excel as a game manager.
Dominant Defense Delivers Results Baltimore recently put on one of the most impressive defensive performances in the NFL this season. The Ravens limited the Seahawks to a mere 151 yards (only 28 on the ground), allowed them to secure just six first downs, and held them to a mere three points in Week 9.
The Ravens are currently giving up just 13.8 points per game, the lowest in the NFL, and rank second in terms of yards allowed per game. They have held opponents to fewer than 10 points on four occasions this season, with three of these remarkable displays coming against teams with winning records.
Apart from the Miami Dolphins, no AFC offense consistently strikes fear into opponents, and even the Dolphins have struggled against elite teams. With their dominant defense, the Ravens have firmly established themselves as the team to beat in the AFC.
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