RAVENS STOCK REPORT: Week 17 v. Texans

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On Christmas Day, the Ravens wrapped up the 3 games in 11 days part of their schedule and they aced it and the stock report soared.  They went 3-0 in the stretch, that culminated in as convincing of a win as you will see this season, when they beat the Texans 31-2.  The Ravens are playing their best football of the year at the right time.

STOCK UP

Keaton Mitchell:  The numbers weren’t that good (although he was running at times when the defense knew the Ravens were just going to hand off the ball to run out the clock) but he did get 12 touches, including a 28-yard catch and run. He hasn’t been the same guy since he got back,  but the team certainly trusted him to be the second RB in this game. Justice Hill will hopefully get back and he will be the second option, but if Mitchell can prove that his explosiveness is back, he gives the Ravens another weapon who will be fresh.  He has the ability to make some plays in space that could prove to be valuable in big situations.

Mark Andrews:  Andrews got off to a slow start this year, likely due to injury (and overall mental state) from the car accident in the preseason but he now has 10 TDs and pulled off his longest reception of the season vs the Texans. He isn’t the #1 go-to target like he has been in the past, but he is still an integral part of the offense and I have a feeling Lamar will be looking for him more and more as they get into the playoffs.

Lamar’s MVP chances:  I am on record as saying I don’t think Lamar has much of a chance to win MVP this year (not saying he doesn’t deserve it, just that I don’t think he can win it). Besides it being a narrative award in many ways, his lack of postseason success and just general voter fatigue will hurt him. He turned in another excellent performance vs Houston and the Vegas odds show him to be very much in the race right now.  Allen has 2 division games left and while he should carve those teams up, it is possible that he struggles within the division and if that happens, maybe Lamar can get his 3rd award.  I think the Bills would have to lose their last 2 games and Allen plays poorly for that to happen, but I guess it is on the table as a possibility.

AFC North Division Title:  With the Ravens win and another Steelers loss, the Ravens are now in control of their own destiny to win the division and secure the No. 3 seed (the 2 seed is still possible but not likely). Having that home game is obviously important and the matchup, likely with the Chargers, should be favorable.

Derrick Henry:  After a stretch of mediocre results, Henry is back to his dominant self and is looking like a guy who could be the difference maker for the team this year. Lamar is keeping him fresh, as Henry has the most yards before contact in his career and Lamar is a big reason for that. The Ravens need to win the final game of the year, so you figure he gets a good workload BUT hopefully they can put the game away early, and he can sit for a large portion of the second half and be ready to dominate in the playoffs.

[Related Article: The Week 17 Big Crab Cake]

STOCK DOWN

Punt Returner:  The Ravens just can’t seem to get this figured out this year.  They picked up Steven Sims, who returned a punt for a TD vs them in the playoffs last year, but he struggled in his debut with the team, including another punt fielded inside the 5. I am not sure what is going on with the Special Teams (“ST”) this year, but it seems like it is one disaster after another. At least it looks like Tucker has righted the ship, but ST could be what costs the Ravens in the playoffs.

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