Preview: Ravens Look to Finish Strong After Bye

The Ravens return from their bye week, refreshed and rejuvenated, ready to take on this last month of the season. Although the Ravens did not play last week, it was a successful week in terms of teams the Ravens needed to lose doing just that. Both the Steelers and Browns lost, as well as the Jacksonville Jaguars who fell in overtime to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs moving the Ravens ahead of them in the AFC playoff battle. Only the Dolphins moved ahead of the Ravens, but with a New Years eve matchup on the horizon the Ravens control their own destiny for the number one overall seed in the AFC.

While the Ravens sit at 9-3, the Rams come to Baltimore on the three game win streak after defeating the Joe Flacco led Browns last Sunday by a final of 36-19 to move to 6-6 on the year. The last time these two teams met was during the 2021 season, as now Raven wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. scored the go ahead touchdown late to give the Rams a narrow victory in Baltimore on their way to a Super Bowl victory later that year.

The Ravens have returned off the bye fairly healthy as only three players have injury designations for Sunday. Linebacker Malik Harrison (groin) was limited all week and is listed as questionable. Fellow linebacker Malik Hamm (ankle) and cornerback Pepe Williams (ankle) are both practicing, but remain on the injured reserve list. Neither player has played this season, but bot practiced in full this week. They are both listed as questionable and will need to be activated to the active roster if they hope to play on Sunday. Quarterback Lamar Jackson missed practice with an illness on Thursday, but returned to practice on Friday and does not have an injury designation.

For the Rams they have four players with injury designations. Outside linebackers Byron Young (knee) and Michael Hoecht (knee) are both listed as questionable. Defensive back Quentin Lake (hamstring) is also listed as questionable. The biggest injury news for the Rams however is tight end Tyler Higbee (neck). Higbee did not practice all week and is currently listed as doubtful, which could be a big blow to the Rams offense if he is unable to go on Sunday.

Players to Watch:

Marlon Humphrey

Ravens All-Pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey hasn’t had the season many Ravens fans would want. Injuries have derailed much of his season as Humphrey missed the first four games of the year before returning for the Ravens for the next five weeks. A calf strain suffered in week 10 against the Browns has sidelined Humphrey for the Ravens last two games. In just five games played this year Humphrey has recorded 14 total tackles to go along with one pass deflection.

The play of Brandon Stephens and Ronald Darby has helped pick up the void left by Humphrey for much of the season, but with the additional rest through the bye week, Humphrey seems primed to play this week. That is good news for the Ravens as he will be an important piece down the stretch for this Ravens secondary.   

Puka Nacua

With the way rookie receiver Puka Nacua has played this season it’s hard to imagine how the BYU product was passed up, and not selected until the fifth round of this year’s NFL draft. In his first career game Nacua had 10 catches for 119 yards and has not let up since. Through 12 games Nacua has recorded 77 catches for 1,029 yards and four touchdowns. His production in terms of yards not only leads the Rams but has him seventh in the entire league in receiving yards ahead of guys like Mike Evans and Stefon Diggs.

The Ravens secondary will have their hands full as they try to slow down statistically the best rookie receiver in this year’s class. While also keeping an eye on star receiver Cooper Kupp, whose production has dipped this season largely due to injury, but still has the playmaking ability to change a game.    

Prediction

The Ravens have traditionally played very well under head coach John Harbaugh after they bye week, as the Ravens have a record of 13-4 after their bye since 2008. But the Rams come in as one of the hottest teams over the last month, winning three straight. Only Indianapolis, San Francisco, and Dallas currently have a longer winning streaks. The play of Rams running back Kyren Williams has helped as he has rushed for 158, 143, and 88 yards in that three game span.

The weather could be a factor as it is expected to rain for the entire duration of the game. That could play well into the Ravens hands as they will look to run the ball with Gus Edwards and Keaton Mitchell. The Rams are 4-3 on the road this year, but just 1-2 in games outdoors. With the weather being poor the Ravens offense must protect the ball and with the game likely to hinge defense, the advantage looks to be in the Ravens favor. Ravens, pull out a solid but less than perfect win 27-17.

Line: Baltimore -7.5

Over/Under: 39.5

All-Time Record: Baltimore leads series 5-3

Last Meeting: 1/2/22 Los Angeles 20-19