By Chris Schisler
The Baltimore Ravens beat the Indianapolis Colts in overtime. It was a game that the Ravens were supposed to be the clear favorites in and it took a miracle of a comeback for them to walk away with a victory. What can be learned from this game? Here are four lessons from the Ravens Monday Night Football comeback for the ages.
1. Lamar Jackson is the comeback king
There was a time when people thought Lamar Jackson couldn’t make a come back. There was a time when people said “Lamar Jackson can’t throw,” and genuinely meant it. That wasn’t too long ago and now Jackson is the comeback king. Jackson led the Ravens in a comeback victory against the Chiefs. It took an almost miracle of a throw to get Justin Tucker in position for a history making field goal in Detroit. 22-3? No problem for Mr. Jackson.
When the Ravens won the coin toss in overtime you could see him mouth, “It’s over.” That’s ice water in your veins kind of stuff. Jackson never gets rattled. He fully experiences frustration in the moment, however he always keeps his cool on the next play. It’s amazing. Jackson has become the quarterback you want for a comeback win.
Jackson completed 86 percent of his passes and had 442 yards passing. The MVP quarterbck now moves up into the top five for passing yards this season. Everything that people said he couldn’t do, he’s doing better than anybody. He’s playing at a level that is so high, that you’re seeing history happen.
2. The inside linebacker play isn’t good enough:
The linebacker play for the Ravens as been problematic. It’s gotten to the point where the Baltimore Ravens almost have to consider benching Patrick Queen in favor of Chris Board. Board may be a special teams ace but this defense needs all the help it can get. Queen in particular struggles with tackles and is taking bad angles to the football. The Ravens may want to make Tyus Bowser an inside linebacker. Malik Harrison is doing a lot right but isn’t a great athlete. Queen is a great athlete who is out of position all the time and barely uses his shoulder pads.
3. Calais Campbell has a heart of a champion:
Calais Campbell made the game saving field goal block. One thing that I love about the play was the passion that he showed. After the blocked field goal you could tell how much this game means to him. Campbell may not have a Super Bowl ring, but he has the heart of a champion. This was a fantastic effort. He’s the best thing the defensive line has going for it. It feels like the Ravens have to win a Super Bowl for Campbell. He’s one of a kind and he willed that block kick into existence.
4. Mark Andrews was worth every penny:
The Indianapolis Colts didn’t have an answer for Mark Andrews. Andrews dominated the Colts for 11 receptions, 142 yards and two touchdowns. He had a monster game and the way he did it is huge. Andrews may be a matchup nightmare for the defense, but he’s also great at getting open. The tight end stepped up as a route runner on Monday Night Football.
The Ravens have one of the best tight ends in the NFL. He is such an important weapon for this offense. To have that kind of a quick strike ability just from throwing it to your tight end is almost unbelievable. Andrews is a game changer at his best. On Monday Night Football he was at his best and then some.
NEXT POST: Baltimore Ravens vs Colts: The ugly and the glorious from 31-25 win
This game was something else, wasn’t it? There is still a lot to process and the Purple and Black Nest isn’t going anywhere.
