The Ravens entered Sunday against the dreadful one-win Cardinals, looking to build off their blowout victory of the Detroit Lions just one week prior. But as is the NFL, what you did last week can often have no bearing on what you do the following week.
The Ravens knew they would be in for a struggle early into the game as backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs helped lead the Cardinals down to an opening drive finished off by a Dobbs one yard sneak up the middle, to give the Cardinals an early 7-0 lead.
But Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense was not to be out done as they answered back with a 10-play 75 yards drive of their own. Jackson connected with tight end Mark Andrews for the five yard score. Andrews an Arizona native playing his first career NFL game in Arizona finished Sunday with a team leading four catches for 40 yards.
The game remained dead locked at seven for a majority of the first half. A Justin Tucker field goal from 53-yards almost broke the tie early in the second quarter, but Tucker’s attempt hit the upright and was no good.
Dobbs has been efficient for the Cardinals, filling in for Kyler Murray as he continues to work back from a torn ACL. One thing that has kept them in games has been Dobbs’ ability to protect the ball and avoid unnecessary turnovers. But with just two minutes left in the first half Dobbs was picked off by Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens, Stephens second interception of the year.
Using the clock, the Ravens took six plays to find the end zone as Gus Edwards pounded it in from one yard out his first of three scores on the day and giving the Ravens a 14-7 lead into halftime.
The Ravens again would force Dobbs into another mistake as he threw a terrible pass into a host of Ravens that was picked off by Ravens safety Geno Stone, his NFL leading fifth interception of the year. Once again starting deep in Cardinals territory the Ravens took just three plays before Edwards rushed it in, this time from seven yards out for his second touchdown, and extending the Ravens lead 21-7.
The first three quarters between the Ravens and Cardinals was for the most part uneventful. The Ravens will not entirely efficient on offense were moving the ball, while the Ravens defense was making life difficult for Dobbs to get into a solid rhythm.
Enter the fourth quarter. The Ravens used their first drive of the quarter to make it a 24-7 game after Tucker connected on a field goal from 48-yards away. But in typical 2023 Cardinals fashion they don’t quit. Dobbs would lead a nine play 75 yard drive capped off by a Trey McBride 17-yard touchdown reception. A successful two-point conversion would cut the Ravens lead 24-15. McBride was the star of the Cardinals offense on Sunday as he led all players with 10 catches for 95 yards and the one score.
A nine play 75 yard drive by the Ravens on their following possession saw Edwards find the end zone for the third time giving the Ravens what appeared to be a commanding 31-15 lead with 2:51 left to play.
A team that is 1-6 barely holding on to playoff hopes so early in the year a lead like that can take the wind out of the sail. But not the Cardinals, a 10 play 75 yard drive in which Dobbs found former Ravens Marquise Brown for a one yard score would draw the Cardinals closer with just 1:14 to go.
With the Cardinals having no timeouts and down 10, all the Ravens had to do was recover the onside kick, however, Ravens receiver Nelson Agholor failed to attack the ball as it bounced off his body and back to the Cardinals. Dobbs and the Cardinals offense worked quickly settling for a quick field goal to cut the Ravens lead to seven with just 29 seconds left in the game.
Needing now to desperately recover the onside kick as the Cardinals were now within one score, the ball again was kicked at Agholor, but this time he was able to corral it sealing a wacky Ravens win by a final of 31-24.
With the win the Ravens move to 6-2, and with losses by the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns the Raven have opened up a full game lead above the rest of the AFC north.
Sunday wasn’t pretty but it was a win, Jackson was efficient completing 18-for-27 passes for 157 yards and the one touchdown. Jackson ran very little but was picked up by Gus Edwards who finished the day with 80 yards on 19 carries and the three scores. The Ravens offense still has a lot to build on and clean up, with the trade deadline just one day away a blockbuster trade could take this offense over the top for the rest of the season.
Defensively for the Ravens they gave up 310 yards with most of it coming late and 24 points the most they have given up since they gave up 24 against the Bengals in week two. Chunk plays on first downs were an issue against the Cardinals as it allowed the Cardinals to settle into short yardage situations on second and third down. Sacks and turnovers however were the difference once again as Dobbs was sacked two times and hit another seven times. Even when the offense struggles the defense always seems to hold up their end which is a good sign moving forward with the hope the Ravens offense continues to trend in the right direction.
The Ravens return to Baltimore next Sunday to battle the Seattle Seahawks in the first of three straight home games. The Seahawks come to Baltimore with an NFC west best 5-2 record.
Notable Injuries:
Odell Beckham Jr. (stomach contusion)- Returned to the game
Morgan Moses (shoulder)- Missed part of 4th quarter
Odafe Oweh (ankle)- Returned to the game
Games Notes:
Ravens right guard Kevin Zeitler became just the third offensive linemen to ever beat all 32 teams.
Justin Maduibuike recorded his 6.5 sack on Sunday, a new career high.
Linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen led the Ravens with 11 tackles each.
Ravens defensive tackle Michael Pierce recorded his first sack of the season.
The Ravens were outgained offensively 268-310.
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