M&T BANK GAME PREVIEW

RAMS VS.

RAVENS

DT Brandon Williams

QUOTH THE RAVEN

“I think it shows the will and the fight that we have. Everybody knows we’re [banged up], but we just keep trucking. We’re usually still in every game. There are a few mistakes here and there, but I’m just proud of the team. I know the team is proud of each other for the work that we keep putting in and the opportunity of just going out there and playing, no matter what.”

– WR RASHOD BATEMAN

on the team facing adversity

The Baltimore Ravens (8-7) host the Los Angeles Rams today with major playoff implications. Currently second in the AFC North standings, Baltimore still has a chance to capture the division crown if it wins out and Cincinnati loses its last two contests, while multiple other Wild Card playoff scenarios exist for the Ravens as well.

The Ravens are in the midst of a fourgame losing streak, with three of those defeats coming by a combined 4 points: at Pittsburgh (1), at Cleveland (2) and vs. Green Bay (1). Against the Steelers and Packers, the Ravens were down 1 point and attempted potential game-winning 2-point conversions (both unsuccessful) with less than 1 minute to play. Under head coach John Harbaugh, Baltimore has only lost four consecutive games one other time (2016). Baltimore has won 13 of its past 14 games vs. teams from the NFC, with the only defeat coming against the Packers two weeks ago. The Ravens lead the all-time series, 5-2, against the Rams, winning four straight. Under Coach Harbaugh, Baltimore is 3-0 vs. the Rams.

With multiple starters out due to injury and another 10 key players (including three starters) on the Reserve/COVID list, Baltimore fell, 41-21, at Cincinnati last Sunday. Third-string QB Josh Johnson, who was signed to the team just 10 days earlier, started for the Ravens, completing 28-of-40 passes for 304 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT. TE Mark Andrews was spectacular again, posting 8 catches for 125 yards and 1 TD that cut a fourth-quarter deficit to 13 points with 14:55 remaining. However, Bengals QB Joe Burrow and his potent WR corps couldn’t be stopped, as Burrow threw for 525 yards (including 194 to Tee Higgins & 125 to Ja’Marr Chase) and 4 TDs.

NUMBERS TO NOTE

3-O – The Ravens’ all-time record in January home games, beating Minnesota (2001 season), Miami (2004 season) and Cincinnati (2010 season). The Ravens have played 10 January games in franchise history, with seven of those occurring on the road. (Baltimore is 6-4 overall in January reg. season contests.)

7– Baltimore’s games decided by 3-orfewer points this year, marking the NFL’s most such contests. The Ravens are 4-3 in these games, with the three losses coming by a combined 4 points. 355 – First downs gained by the Ravens’ offense this season, ranking only behind Kansas City’s 368 and Tampa Bay’s 357. 75 – Number of players to play in a game for the Ravens this season. Additionally, 44 different players have started at least one game this season.

4– Number of players to start every game for the injury-plagued Ravens this season: OLB Tyus Bowser, LB Patrick Queen, T Alejandro Villanueva and G Kevin Zeitler.