Knee-Jerk Reactions: Ravens 27 Vikings 19

The Baltimore Ravens went into Minnesota and defeated the Vikings, 27-19, in Week 10. Russell Street Report staff react to the win here.

Rob Shields

Huge win today. The offense didn’t have great rhythm today but they did enough.

After that first TD by Minnesota, it was largely a one-sided game. The only reason it was close is because of the Ravens’ lack of red zone execution.

Also, calling a pass on a 3rd and 17 with 5:40 left was one of the worst examples of game management that you will ever see. It cost them a chance to end the game on their last drive.

The offensive line was definitely an issue at times today, so we will see if they make any changes soon, but the defense is playing better.

This was another must-win and the team came through. Now, you have to win a game in Cleveland next week and your season can “re-start.”

Now let’s hope for a Chargers win today!

Derek Arnold

It’s been said by folks far smarter than me that more games are lost than won in the NFL. The Minnesota Vikings epitomized that today, with two moon ball interceptions by J.J. McCarthy, another fumble on a kickoff return, and over 100 yards in penalties, including EIGHT (!!!) false starts as the home team.

Credit to the Ravens for not being the team that made the critical mistakes, but instead positioning themselves as the squad that capitalized on them. It wasn’t always pretty, and there remain glaring issues to clean up. But the AFC “favorites” just lost in the same stadium the Ravens dominated 10 days ago. Survive and advance.

I do have one beef. Jalen Nailor bobbled that touchdown EVERY BIT AS MUCH as Roquan Smith “bobbled” the interception just a few plays before. Nonsense.

Jason Woolbert

The Ravens did what they had to do, again, and three games during this “soft” stretch of the schedule are behind them with two to go.

As suspected, the offense struggled more than the defense.  The defense for the most part showed up, limiting Justin Jefferson to four catches and keeping the run game in check.  Jalen Nailor ended up the star of Minnesota’s offense.  We saw trade acquisition Dre’Mont Jones make a couple plays, and rookies Mike Green and Malaki Starks are rounding into shape.  Roquan Smith was robbed of an interception which was inexplicably overturned by New York, and the Vikings should have ended with just 13 points, but we have to settle for 19 instead. J.J. McCarthy was picked off two times, and the team got three turnovers total, and that was the biggest difference in the game (the second biggest may be all the false starts the Vikings O committed).

The offense did well enough between the 20s but struggled a lot in the red zone, and hopefully they will do better as they travel to Cleveland next week.  They almost blew the game with the familiar 4th quarter fumble, but Zay Flowers thankfully recovered the ball.

The Dolphins beat the Bills.  The Jets won.  The Saints won.  Jacksonville just blew a three score lead to Davis Mills as I type this.  The season is in chaos mode and the Ravens are far from dead.

Nick Polinsky

The Ravens once again managed to make it close, but this was a game that felt much bigger than an eight-point win. The offense started the day with four straight field goals, but two touchdowns followed to put the Ravens up big. Between Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and Keaton Mitchell, the offense ran the ball pretty well. The passing game evolved as the game went on which led to converting their red zone drives down the stretch.

The story once again was the forced turnovers by the defense. J.J. McCarthy was pretty reckless throwing the football today, and the secondary took advantage. It felt like more pressure came this week from the front seven but they still struggled to get home. Don’t blink but the Ravens haven’t allowed 20+ points in any of their last three games, and it only gets easier with the Browns and Jets over the next two weeks.

Shoutout to Keondre Jackson, he’s everywhere on special teams and forced the fumble on the kickoff return that swung the momentum.

Jared Pinder

Despite a third straight win, I still don’t feel good enough about this team to say they are true threat in the playoffs. The offense is seriously being held back by the terrible play by the offensive line, and the defense is really being helped out by some bad quarterback play.

I will give the defense credit for being able to force turnovers which has been why they have been so much better lately, but something still feels off.

The pass rush still isn’t the best and I am still not impressed with Zach Orr’s play calling.

This team is alive and now they have a soft schedule coming up.

Chad Racine

A fairly pedestrian start for the offense in the first half. Once the Ravens started the second half they ran away with the game…until the very end. I never really felt like they were about to blow another fourth quarter lead.

With three turnovers – and nearly four or five – the defense has been on a hot streak. Dre’Mont Jones and Alohi Gilman seem to be making contributions while Mike Green is coming into his own. Kyle Hamilton is steadily the best player on defense and a threat anywhere he lines up.

If the Steelers lose tonight it’ll finish a great day of football with the Ravens closing in on the division with the first ever threepeat.

Vermont Ravens

It might not have been sexy, but the Ravens again got the job done.

Let’s give some props to the defense who again got the job done with two interceptions and stepping up to get the final stop.

The offense had yet another slow start.  They have got to figure that out or that will cost them sooner rather than later.  Can someone explain why Keaton Mitchell is not getting the ball more?  Whenever he gets the ball, he makes plays.  Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken has got to get him in the gameplan more!

Next up:  Road game at division rival Cleveland Browns.  The Ravens can’t take them lightly as that is a seriously good defense!

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