The 2014 Baltimore Ravens: The Story So Far

Six games in to the NFL regular season, and the Baltimore Ravens sit at 4-2. (That's 4 wins, 2 losses for those counting). All 4 wins have been impressive, grinding out a last-minute win against Cleveland, and dominating games against Pittsburgh, Carolina, and most recently, Tampa Bay. The two losses came against perennial Superbowl contenders; Cincinnati and Indianapolis.

One noticeable difference from the Ravens of last year is the offensive efficiency exhibited week in, week out. With the exception of the Indianapolis game, where the O-Line was terrorized by an in-form defensive line lead by Bjoern Werner, the Ravens have churned out impressive performances with the ball in their hands. Joe Flacco ranks 10th in Quarterback Rating and 5th in yards and touchdowns. Justin Forsett ranks 2nd behind Darren Sproles in Yards Per Carry (6.4), and Steve Smith Sr. ranks 6th in receiving yards and first in tenacity.

Meanwhile, the defense looks to be returning to its former "elite" status, ranking 3rd in points conceded per game (16.2) and first in RedZone scoring percentage (31.2%). Defensive lineman Haloti Ngata has 2 interceptions this season, which is more than some of the most famous cornerbacks in the league combined. Rookie CJ Mosley, an early frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year, ranks 5th in tackles with 57, and is tied for 1st amongst linebackers in passes defended. First round pick Mosley has been an absolute revelation this year, putting up better stats in his first six games than future Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis, and looks to be a key player for the
defense for years to come.

Week on week, the Ravens performances have been fairly consistent, the likes of which haven't been seen in my time as a fan, Each Sunday I come into games thinking that we have a genuine chance of beating equal or lesser teams, and pushing better teams right to their limits (as with Cincinnati in Week 1). With the exception of Indianapolis, I have been proven right. I even worried about the Carolina game, but the Ravens dominated all 3 aspects of the game and ran out easy winners.

For the coming weeks, I forsee wins against the Falcons, Saints, Titans and Steelers, and losses against Cincinnati and San Diego, which would take the Ravens to an 8-4 record, and within shouting distance of a playoff berth for the 6th time in 7 years. January football could well return to the purple and black, that's for sure.

Highlight of the Season: Steve Smith Sr. had a coming out party against Carolina, where he played
for 13 years. The 35-year old hauled in 7 catches for 139 yards and 2TDs, and had his wicked way with the Carolina defense, which was last year considered to be one of the best around.



Low Point of the Season: I tried my best, but I couldn't go a whole article without mentioning Ray Rice. Rice spent his first 6 years in the league with Baltimore, and was a huge part of the community in and around the city, helping out needy children, and becoming the face of anti-bullying programs up and down the East Coast. Everything changed in February, though, when he remorselessly battered his then fiancée in and Atlantic City lift. Since then, Rice has been released by the Ravens, and indefinitely suspended from the NFL. And to think, I was considering buying his shirt...