The Baltimore Ravens will square off with Indianapolis on Sunday as the Ravens will look to move to 3-0 for the first time under quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Ravens played an outstanding game last Sunday against their AFC north division foe the Cincinnati Bengals defeating the Bengals by a final of 27-24. The Ravens remain the only undefeated team in the AFC north, placing them alone at the top of the division. Indianapolis comes to Baltimore with a 1-1 record recording their first victory last Sunday against the Houston Texans by a final of 31-20.
Sundays matchup will feature two teams dealing with injuries to important starters, specifically on the offensive side of the ball. Both the Ravens and Indianapolis have ruled out several players with the Ravens already ruling out seven. Those ruled out for the Ravens include, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle), running back Justice Hill (foot), cornerback Marlon Humphrey (foot), center Tyler Linderbaum (ankle), outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (ankle), left tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee), and safety Marcus Williams (pectoral).
Indianapolis will be without their star rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson as he continues to recover from a concussion suffered last week. Indianapolis has also already ruled out their center Ryan Kelly as he also has yet to be cleared from a concussion. Other notable injuries for Indianapolis include All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson (toe), cornerback Kenny Moore II (knee), and cornerback Dallis Flowers (ankle), all three are listed as questionable.
Players to Watch:
Kyle Hamilton
In just his second year 2022 first-round pick Kyle Hamilton has already began to show his growth form year one to year two. Since becoming the starting safety for this Ravens defense in 2023, Hamilton has taken on a much bigger role with this defense and through two weeks has lived up to his first-round pick status.
While the stats don’t jump off the page as Hamilton has just seven tackles without any passes defensed, Hamilton has helped take command of the Ravens secondary giving up very few big plays through the air even with the injuries within the secondary. Indianapolis averages 221 yards through the air, good for 14th in the NFL, but with the weather expected to be poor on Sunday. Expect Hamilton to be a force in the run game something he excelled at in 2022.
Gardner Minshew
Quarterback Gardner Minshew will get the start on Sunday as Indianapolis has officially ruled out Anthony Richardson. Minshew joined Indianapolis after spending the past two seasons as a backup in Philadelphia. Minshew came in, in relief of Richardson last week going 19-for-23 for 171 yards and one touchdown. Minshew is 0-1 all time against the Ravens, as he was defeated as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020 by a final of 40-14. The Ravens defense sacked Minshew five times in a game where he finished 22-for-29 for 226 yards passing and two touchdowns.
While Minshew doesn’t have the athleticism as RIchardson, at this point in his career Minshew has the experience and arm to give Indianapolis a chance on Sunday. The Ravens defense will need to respect the arm of Minshew, but will not need to worry as much about Minshew scrambling like they would have with Richardson under center. The key will be getting to Minshew early and often and forcing Minshew into mistakes, a confident Gardner Minshew could be detrimental to a Ravens win on Sunday.
Prediction
Weather will be in issue on Sunday as the Baltimore area is expected to be hit with a tropical storm that is coming up the east coast, that could bring with it heavy rain and strong winds. The poor weather will likely hinder Todd Monken and quarterback Lamar Jacksons ability to open up the passing game as a heavy dose of the run game from both sides should be expected throughout the game, which is much easier said then done. The Ravens and Indianapolis both rank sixth and seventh, respectably in rushing yards allowed per game.
With Richardson sidelined Indianapolis will lose the run threat at the quarterback position that they had through the first two weeks. While the Ravens will be without Justice Hill, the poor weather will be perfect for a heavy dose of Gus Edwards, and with Indianapolis without their starting center, it will be extremely hard for Indianapolis to consistently move the ball on the ground. I expect because of the poor weather the Ravens will be able to capitalize off two Indianapolis turnovers, and allow Jackson to use his legs more then in the first two weeks to seal the Ravens victory, 23-6.
Line: Baltimore -8
Over/Under: 44
All-Time Record: Indianapolis leads series 10-7
Last Meeting: 10/11/21 Baltimore 31-25 (OT)
The post Preview: Ravens Look to Remain Unbeaten Against Minshew and Indianapolis first appeared on Marylandsportsblog.com.
The post Preview: Ravens Look to Remain Unbeaten Against Minshew and Indianapolis appeared first on Marylandsportsblog.com.