Bell Tolls: Ravens defense evokes memories of 2000
A quick glance at items of interest as Week 12 rolls on in the NFL:
Who’s hot
Baltimore’s defense. With three shutouts, the Ravens are seemingly paying homage to a certain slice of franchise tradition. The last NFL team with three shutouts through 10 games? Baltimore’s remarkable 2000 unit, which went on to win Super Bowl XXXV. The current defense, ranked sixth for yards and third for fewest points allowed (17.1 per game) doesn’t have the pizzazz of Ray Lewis & Co., but it has carried a sagging offense all the same. The Ravens (5-5) lead the NFL with 16 interceptions, making good on offseason moves to improve the secondary with the addition of vets Eric Weddle, Brandon Carr and Tony Jefferson and first-round pick Marlon Humphrey. Another key: The run defense stiffened after the anchor, defensive tackle Brandon Williams, returned from the ankle injury that cost him four games. Now comes the Houston Texans and turnover machine Tom Savage (tied, NFL-high six lost fumbles, three interceptions) on Monday night. The Ravens might not be destined for a Super Bowl run, but if they hang on to their current wild-card slot, they’ll bring the defense nobody wants to play.
More: Five key player matchups for NFL Week 12
More: Raiders, Broncos about to learn whether shake-ups were smart or desperate
Pressure’s on
Vance Joseph. After a 3-1 start, the Broncos have lost six in a row under their rookie coach. What a distinctive turnaround. Even worse is the negativity flowing from the firing this week of offensive coordinator Mike McCoy (replaced by Bill Musgrave), the disastrous quarterback situation (Trevor Siemian and Brock Osweiler flopped) that has led to slow-developing Paxton Lynch, the 2016 first-rounder, to start at Oakland. Then there was football chief John Elway lamenting the team as “soft” (NFL fighting words), despite dumping hard-hitting safety T.J. Ward in an unpopular training camp move. Joseph probably won’t be one-and-done, but there’s no denying that he’s learning under fire.
Key matchup
Mark Ingram vs. Mark Barron. The Rams’ 28th-ranked run defense was shredded for 171 yards during a Week 11 loss at Minnesota, and now comes the refashioned No. 1-ranked offense of the New Orleans Saints. Yes, Drew Brees can still get it done in the clutch – which was demonstrated in the overtime win against Washington, the 31st fourth-quarter/overtime comeback job of his career, compared with the zero that young L.A. quarterback Jared Goff has produced. But with Ingram on pace for a career year, there’s much more to worry about. Barron, the Rams’ leading tackler, didn’t practice until Friday, because of a hand injury. How well he can grasp and wrap up looms as a potential swing factor.
Next man up
Chris Hubbard. With Pittsburgh Steelers right tackle Marcus Gilbert dinged by a four-game suspension linked to performance-enhancing drugs, Hubbard assumes a familiar role on one of the NFL’s best (yet unheralded) offensive lines. Hubbard already has started seven games this season at right tackle. Still, as Pittsburgh hosts the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night, there’s a drop-off with Gilbert rated by Pro Football Focus as the 11th-best tackle in the league.
Rookie watch
Harrison Butker. Since missing his first NFL field goal attempt in Week 4, days after the Kansas City Chiefs signed him off the Carolina Panthers' practice squad, the Georgia Tech product has been perfect. He has nailed 22 consecutive field goals and all 13 extra points, living up to his nickname, “Butt-kicker.” Lately, though, he’s had to provide more points than desired. The Chiefs, once 5-0, have lost four of their past five games as the Buffalo Bills comes to town. The offense that was so potent earlier, scored just two touchdowns in back-to-back losses the past two weeks. Still, the Chiefs have a reliable leg to lean on in a pinch.
Stomach for an upset
Jacksonville Jaguars at Arizona Cardinals. Calais Campbell returns to Arizona, leading one of the NFL’s best defenses while tied for the league lead with 11 ½ sacks. But he’s not the only one with a deep connection to the opposing team. The quarterback that Campbell will chase, Blaine Gabbert, didn’t pan out after the Jaguars moved up to draft him 10th overall in 2011. Gabbert was 5-22 as Jacksonville’s starter. Now, pressed into action because of injuries, he’s positioned for a “How ya like me now?” moment. But let’s be realistic: It’s Gabbert. And it’s the Jacksonville defense, which is allowing an NFL-low 14.1 points per game. In six games, the Jags didn’t even give up 10 points. Looking like a long day for one former Jag.
If the playoffs were today ...
Three teams from the NFC South – the Saints (8-2), Panthers (7-4) and defending NFC champion Falcons (6-4) – would be in. Even better, they can settle it with head-to-head matchups during what promises to be a dramatic stretch run. Consider: Atlanta plays division opponents in five of its final six games, and like Carolina will have a three-game homestand. New Orleans, meanwhile, gets Carolina and Atlanta on its own turf.
Did you notice?
Russell Wilson is the leading rusher for the Seattle Seahawks, with 376 yards on 58 carries. That’s not ideal, as Seattle heads to San Francisco poised to stay in striking distance of the Rams. That Wilson is healthy enough to escape, survive and make plays with his legs is a positive. Yet no one wants the QB leading the team in rushing, which in Seattle’s case is indicative of the health that hasn't been there for a cast of running backs – Thomas Rawls, Eddie Lacy, Chris Carson, among them – stung by an injury epidemic.
Stat’s the fact
Tom Brady, leading the NFL with 3,147 passing yards and a 110.9 passer rating, heads into Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins needing 272 yards to become the fourth quarterback in NFL history – after Peyton Manning, Brett Favre and Brees – to throw for 65,000 yards in his career.