Following their much-needed bye in Week 13, the Baltimore Ravens (9-3) return to action on Sunday and begin a critical five-game stretch by hosting the surging Los Angeles Rams (6-6).
The Rams won the last regular season meeting 20-19 on January 2, 2022, at M&T Bank Stadium.
Sunday’s game will mark the 9th all-time meeting between the two teams, with Baltimore leading the series 5-3.
Baltimore leads Cleveland by two games in the AFC North, and a victory would keep the Ravens in control of the division. John Harbaugh’s team controls its destiny and can clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC by winning their last five games.
The Rams have won three straight and are back in the playoff picture.
With kickoff fast approaching, we’re looking at who holds the advantage at each position.
QB--Ravens
Lamar Jackson …… 2,618 (13 TD/5 INT)
Matthew Stafford … 2,768 (16 TD/9 INT)
Stafford is still a top 10 caliber quarterback, but Jackson’s ability as a rusher gives the Ravens quarterback the overall edge.
Jackson has also accounted for 574 rushing yards (5.1) and
RB--Even
Gus Edwards ………..590 rushing yards(4.2)
Kyren Williams ………687 rushing yards (5.1)
Edwards is among the NFL leaders with 10 touchdowns, but he’s seen his snaps lesson with the arrival of Keaton Mitchell.
Kyren Williams has added youth and energy to the position for Los Angeles.
WR--Rams
Zay Flowers –613 (58) Puka Nacua –1,029 (77)
Mark Andrews (IR) –544 (45) Tutu Atwell –476 (37)
Odell Beckham Jr –408 (27) Cooper Kupp –432 (33)
Zay Flowers has been a gem for Baltimore, but he and every other rookie pass catcher have been overshadowed by Rams rookie and former BYU star, Puka Nacua.
Nacua was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fifth round (177th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft, and he’s outplayed high-profile rookies such as Tank Dell (Texans), and Rashee Rice (Chiefs).
TE--Even
With Tyler Higbee doubtful for Week 14, neither starting tight end will be active for Sunday afternoon.
Higbee has 34 catches for 367 yards with two touchdowns in 12 games this season.
If Higbee can’t play, the Rams will turn to Hunter Long, Davis Allen and Brycen Hopkins. In Baltimore, Isaiah Likely has 13 catches for 129 yards.
OL--Ravens
The Ravens’ offensive line ranks 13th in pass-blocking efficiency rating this season per PFF. Baltimore’s offensive line has allowed 107 total pressures — including 16 sacks — on 417 pass-blocking snaps.
Tyler Linderbaum has the fourth-highest pass-blocking grade among centers in the NFL.
The Rams have a middle of the pack offensive line, but in Week 13, they allowed just nine total pressures and no sacks on 37 dropbacks, finishing fifth in pass-blocking efficiency per PFF.
Left tackle Alaric Jackson is a player to watch after earning a 77.6 PFF grade over the past two weeks, which ranks third among offensive tackles over that span.
DL--Ravens
Justin Madubuike….. 10.0 sacks Aaron Donald ……… 6.0 sacks
Jadeveon Clowney ……. 7.5 sacks Kobie Turner ……… 5.5 sacks
Aaron Donald is the 3rd highest graded defensive tackle in the NFL (90.2), while his running mate Kobie Turner (73.6) is 22nd in the NFL.
Baltimore leads the NFL with 47 sacks, putting the Ravens on pace to record 67 QB drops this season, which would set a new franchise record (60 from 2006 is the current mark).
Jadeveon Clowney, 2 shy of tying his career high (9.5) from 2017. Clowney has tallied 56 QB
pressures (12th most in the NFL) and 17 QB hits (tied for 11th). Justin Madubuike ranks first among all NFL DTs in sacks and 10th overall in QB drops this year.
LB--Ravens
Roquan Smith……………126 Rams Ernest Jones IV …………. 108
Patrick Queen ……………102 Rams Jordan Fuller …………….72
Roquan Smith is the fourth highest graded linebacker in the NFL, and his running mate Patrick Queen lands in the top 25 per PFF.
Ernest Jones is the 28th-highest graded linebacker in the NFL.
CB--Ravens
Brandon Stephens has been among the top cornerbacks in the NFL, while Marlon Humphrey is returning to the lineup.
For the Rams, Derion Hendricks was a top 20 ranked CB in Week 13, while Ahkello Witherspoon has been solid as well.
S--Ravens
Any team with Kyle Hamilton, Geno Stone and Marcus Williams on the field is clearly at an advantage and the Ravens hold that distinction this week.
