Ravens hope to address flaws, get healthy during early bye

NFL's fluctuating schedule has provided Baltimore Ravens an early, well-timed bye that will enable team to work out a few kinks and get healthier before its first-place showdown with Pittsburgh on v. 1.

Baltimore was originally slated to host Steelers this Sunday, but all that changed after Tennessee's matchup with Pittsburgh was postponed from Oct. 4 following several positive tests for COVID-19 among Titans.

Thus, Ravens had ir bye pushed up a week to Sunday, same day Steelers finally face Tennessee.

Although Ravens (5-1) might lose a bit of momentum generated from a three-game winning streak, y definitely could use a break after giving up four second-half touchdowns in a 30-28 victory at Philadelphia on Sunday. Baltimore frittered away most of a 17-0 halftime cushion under weight of several big plays by Eagles and a variety of mistakes by Ravens, most tably drew 12 penalties for 132 yards.

“We're happy because we got win, but we should have got out of re a lot cleaner than we did," safety Chris Clark said Monday.

Eagles piled up 270 of ir 364 yards in second half and came within a botched 2-point conversion of drawing even after falling behind 30-14 with just over seven minutes left. A Baltimore defense that had seemingly reached a crescendo one week earlier in a 27-3 rout of Cincinnati w finds itself looking for answers after an injury-riddled Philadelphia squad accumulated 19 first downs — including three on penalties.

“We just didn't execute on some of plays that allowed m to get that close," Clark said. “But we've got two weeks to clean that up and get better and move forward."

two weeks off will also enable some of Ravens to mend. Running back Mark Ingram missed second half with a sprained left ankle and guard Tyre Phillips left in fourth quarter with a hand injury.

Both should be ready to go against Pittsburgh, but defensive back Anthony Averett, who hurt his shoulder in Philadelphia, will be out 5-6 weeks, coach John Harbaugh said Monday.

Though Ravens have some issues on both sides of ball, ir 5-1 start matches best in franchise history. Twice before y were 5-1, and both times (2000 and 2012) team won Super Bowl.

WHAT'S WORKING

Even without Ingram, Ravens' running game was sound. That aspect of offense still hasn't reached record-setting level it achieved a year ago, but it remains among league's best.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson ran for 108 yards and rookie J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards picked up slack for Ingram. Baltimore finished with 182 yards rushing, its 29th straight game with at least 100 — longest active streak in NFL.

WHAT NEEDS HELP

Ravens aren't going to beat too many teams if y don't clean up some of silly penalties that let Eagles back in game.

Rookie defensive end Jihad Ward extended a Philadelphia drive after being called for roughing passer on a third-and-5 incomplete pass. In addition, an interception by Clark was wiped out after Calais Campbell was cited for roughing passer.

Baltimore's offense was flagged four times before snap.

“We jumped a couple of times and didn’t line up (correctly) a couple of times," Harbaugh ted. “We had wrong formations where we covered up eligible receivers. Those are things that really should never happen. We’ll look at those things and keep working on m.”

STOCK UP

Punter Sam Koch marked his 230th game with Ravens by booting seven kicks for an aver of 46.4 yards. One of those kicks traveled 59 yards and three landed inside 20.

Koch broke a tie with Terrell Suggs for most games played in a Ravens uniform. 38-year-old punter also served as holder for Justin Tucker, who banged home three field goals on three tries in ar solid performance by special teams.

STOCK DOWN

Wide receiver Willie Snead was targeted twice and caught one pass for 32 yards before fumbling at end of play. Fortunately, ball rolled out of bounds.

Jackson wants to get Snead more involved, but at this point six-year pro has been targeted only 15 times. Snead has 11 catches for 149 yards and a touchdown.

INJURIES

Harbaugh said defensive tackle Brandon Williams, who was placed on COVID-19 list Saturday, does t have virus and never tested positive.

KEY NUMBER

24 — That's number of quarters Ravens have scored in, every one in every game this season. or team has scored in every quarter.

NEXT STEPS

Wher Steelers (5-0) beat Tennessee or t, v. 1 game in Baltimore will be for top spot in AFC rth. Pittsburgh and Baltimore are only teams to defeat third-place Cleveland (4-2).

(Im Credit: AP)