Ravens’ Record Against Top-Level Quarterbacks Is a Concern Heading Into Homestretch

The Ravens have not fared well against Pro Bowl-level quarterbacks this season, a trend they will have to reverse as they look to keep their playoff hopes alive.

The Baltimore Banner’s Jonas Shaffer identified the Ravens’ biggest flaws, and their inability to beat teams with standouts under center was among them.

“After the Ravens returned from their bye, life sure got easier for their defense,” Shaffer wrote. “Top-line quarterbacks were finally out of the picture: Caleb Williams in Week 8, Tua Tagovailoa in Week 9, J.J. McCarthy in Week 10, Dillon Gabriel (and then Shedeur Sanders) in Week 11 and Tyrod Taylor in Week 12. The Ravens won five straight games, never allowing more than 20 points.

“Now they’re back to a problem that’s bedeviled the defense all season: Are they good enough to stop Pro Bowl-level passers? It hasn’t happened yet.”

Six of the Ravens’ seven losses are to teams with quarterbacks who fit Shaffer’s definition: the Buffalo Bills (Josh Allen), Detroit Lions (Jared Goff), Kansas City Chiefs (Patrick Mahomes), Houston Texans (C.J. Stroud), Los Angeles Rams (Matthew Stafford), and Cincinnati Bengals (Joe Burrow).

“Add it all up, and the damage allowed is significant: 258.7 passing yards per game, 14 touchdowns, zero interceptions, 67.6% accuracy and an 0-6 record,” Shaffer wrote. “On the basis of expected points added per play, every quarterback but Stafford played at or above a Pro Bowl level against coordinator Zach Orr’s defense.

“It’s not just the accuracy and playmaking ability that stars like Burrow bring to the table. It’s also the presnap problem-solving. In a 32-14 win in Week 13, Burrow appeared to get Cincinnati into seven-man protections several times against the Ravens’ potential heavy-pressure looks. Despite having just three downfield routes quickly available, he converted a third-and-11, a third-and-10, a third-and-7 and a third-and-6 and connected with wide receiver Andrei Iosivas for a 29-yard touchdown on a third-and-9.”

The Ravens will face Burrow for the second time in three weeks Sunday in Cincinnati.

“If the Ravens can handle Burrow, the next two weeks won’t be any easier,” Shaffer wrote. “The Patriots’ Drake Maye is second in the NFL in EPA per play. The Packers’ Jordan Love is first.”

The Ravens conclude the season against Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers in Pittsburgh. While the 42-year-old, four-time MVP hasn’t made the Pro Bowl since 2021, he is still capable of playing at a high level, as evidenced by his performance in a win over the Ravens this past Sunday.