ESPN Writers Assess Panic Level for Ravens
ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler each rated the level of panic for the Ravens (1-3) on a 1-to-10 scale heading into Week 5.
"I say 5, but it's important to note that that's a really high number in Baltimore, where there's typically not much panic at all," Graziano wrote. "This defense has had no answers for anyone but the Browns, and with Nnamdi Madubuike out for the season and a ton of other injuries (Nate Wiggins, Roquan Smith, Ar'Darius Washington, the list goes on and on) on that side of the ball, where are the answers going to come from? Add Lamar Jackson's hamstring injury, and now you have a potential for disaster. If Jackson misses significant time, this season could go downhill quickly.
"I am guessing the panic meter about the Ravens outside the building – among fans and those of us who analyze objectively – is closer to 10 right now. But the Ravens count on the strength and steadiness of Head Coach John Harbaugh, General Manager Eric DeCosta and their internal leadership structure to solve problems and get them through tough times. You can bet they're scouring for answers, internally and externally."
Fowler wrote: "I'll go 6. It's worth remembering in times like this that Jackson has a .717 career winning percentage as a starter. That's a Tom Brady-like figure. Assuming Jackson does not miss significant time, the Ravens have a path to a backdoor playoff spot.
"All three losses are to elite teams with championship hopes. It's not like the Ravens are blowing leads to winless teams. The offense is still trying to find its rhythm with personnel groupings – when to play big people for the run game (such as two or three tight ends) vs. playing through receivers and the passing game more often. There's enough talent on offense to make it work regardless. But this defense is galaxies away from the once-proud unit that charged Super Bowl runs."