The Indianapolis Colts (1-1) and Baltimore Ravens (2-0) are set to do battle at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday for a Week 3 matchup.
Both teams are dealing with some serious injuries and likely will be dealing with impactful weather conditions in Baltimore. But before they take the field, we caught up with Ravens Wire editor Glenn Erby (@thacover2NFL) to get the latest scoop on the Ravens.
Buy Colts TicketsWe went behind enemy lines to ask Glenn six questions about the Colts’ opponent in Week 3.
The Ravens offense seemed to find its groove last week. What led to those improvements from Week 1?
Glenn Erby: “Week 2 allowed Lamar Jackson another opportunity to run offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s scheme in real-game action. Baltimore established the run early on with Gus Edwards, while Lamar Jackson looked comfortable in the pocket, and the OC did an excellent job of scheming pass catchers open while getting Mark Andrews involved in the red zone.”
Piggybacking off that, what are the biggest changes you've seen in Todd Monken's offense from the previous regime?
Glenn Erby: “There are more downfield attempts in the passing game while getting under the radar guys involved. Zay Flowers continues to be dynamic, pulling in a 52-yard dime from Lamar Jackson, and Rashod Bateman caught all three passes thrown his way. Monken even involved Nelson Agholor, as the former first-round pick logged five receptions for 63 yards, with four of his five catches going for either a first down or a touchdown.”
Zay Flowers looks like an absolute baller. Is he the future of that WR room?
Glenn Erby: “Flowers is the real deal, and his time is now. Even before Odell Beckham suffered the ankle injury, the passing game revolved around the rookie pass catcher, with Beckham, Rashod Bateman, and Nelson Agholor playing the role of complementary pieces.”
With so many injuries to the starting lineup, who will need to step up the most this week?
Glenn Erby: “Similar to last week, it’ll be the two players on the offensive line replacing missing starters in left tackle Ronnie Stanley and center Tyler Linderbaum. Patrick Mekari and Sam Mustipher were solid in relief, with Mekari allowing just two pressures from 43 pass-blocking snaps and was the team’s highest-graded run blocker in the game per PFF. Mustipher didn’t allow any pressure on 44 pass-blocking snaps, and they’ll need to hold up against DeForest Buckner and Kwity Paye.”
Will the extreme weather change the offensive game plan for the Ravens?
Glenn Erby: “The game plan will alter slightly, but at their core, the Ravens are a physical group, and a sloppy rushing attack in nasty weather is right up coach John Harbaugh’s alley. Baltimore can utilize the two tight-end looks, while fullback Patrick Ricard can dominate the running game.”
Prediction, final score?
Glenn Erby: “Both teams are short-handed, and the Ravens are taking a chance by sitting so many critical contributors with matchups against the Browns and Steelers looming. Baltimore is the better team; they have the best quarterback on the field and win a sloppy contest, 21-10.”
