Vikings at Ravens Depth Chart Preview W9
Nov 5, 2021 22:20:50 GMT -6
Funkytown and FSUVike like this
Post by Danchat on Nov 5, 2021 22:20:50 GMT -6
After a complete embarrassment on national TV, the Vikings will have to figure out how to handle the Ravens without Danielle Hunter. Will they be able to slow down the former MVP QB and actually be able to throw the ball downfield more than twice a game?
Line: Ravens -6 (73% money on Baltimore)
Injury Report
Vikings
DT Pierce Out
LB Barr Questionable
CB Dantzler Questionable
Ravens
RT Mekari Doubtful
HB Murray Doubtful
WR Watkins Questionable
WR Bateman Questionable
DT Williams Questionable
* My Thoughts *
QB - Lamar is having another strong season in Baltimore's run-heavy offense, but they have shifted to throwing the ball more often (up from 25 attempts a game in 2020 to 32). Jackson still has struggles with accuracy every once in a while, but that can be attributed to the aggressive nature of their passing game. Jackson passes for 10.5 yards downfield every time he throws the ball and has a receiver with a tendency to drop deep balls (more on him later). Jackson is still dangerous on the ground, with 480 yards rushing already, and will force defenses to field a spy, allowing for more passing lanes. The modern NFL is built for a QB like Jackson and he is thriving.
HB - This is unquestionably the worst halfback room in the NFL. Murray is hurt and wasn't anything special before then. Despite Freeman and Williams averaging 5.5 YPC, they are both below average ball-carriers who will have runs to run down with the threat of Lamar looming. Williams has shown some burst but has poor vision, Freeman is mostly cooked at this point. Bell will get some reps in the passing game, but he is also past his prime. After successfully slowing down the Elliott/Pollard combo, I think the Vikings run defense can handle these pedestrian RBs.
WR/TE - Marquise Brown is possibly the NFL's best deep threat when his hands are working. He dropped 3 separate TDs against Detroit earlier this year, but he gets open deep frequently and Lamar has the arm to get the ball to him. Sammy Watkins has been pretty good with the Ravens, but he's brittle and past his prime. 1st rounder Minnesota alum Bateman has 7-109-0 in his first 2 games. They have invested a lot of mid-round picks into Duvernay (3rd), Boykin (3rd), Wallace (4th), and Proche (6th from Vikings), but none of them have taken the next step. Duvernay is a quality KR/PR, though.
Mark Andrews is the team's best overall target and is on pace for 1250 yards on the year. The Vikings are one of the best teams in the league against TEs, so Lamar may opt to throw more to his WRs (who will likely be open).
OL - Torn apart by injuries with their starting 2 tackles on the IR, the Ravens have been playing guards at tackle with varying results. Villanueva has been getting pushed around in pass protection and has not been the same guy he was in Pittsburgh. Meanwhile they've gotten solid play at RT from Mekari, who was a below average center the past two years. Instead, natural guard Tyre Phillips will fill in at RT. Bozeman and Zeitler (the OL the Vikings should have signed in FA) are solid interior blockers, while Ben Powers has been shaky in run blocking but much better as a pass protector.
DL - Calais Campbell is still rolling like he is 25, with 15 run stops and 20 pressures so far. Madubuike has been average, but the Ravens have preferred to use more 2 DL sets more often than not. Brandon Williams is the nose who took over for Michael Pierce, but 2021 has not been a kind year to him, but that could be injury related.
ED - 1st rounder Odafe Oweh (he was going by Jayson Oweh in the draft process) has been Baltimore's top edge rusher after an unproductive career at Penn State. Tyus Bowser has been a sloid secondary rusher to him, and they have a couple of veterans with successful careers on the bench to compliment them.
ILB - PFF really hates Patrick Queen, as they've given him Abysmal ratings in 2020 AND 2021. He's missed 10 tackles and been awful in coverage. Meanwhile, Josh Bynes will be playing more snaps at ILB with Malik Harrison injured by a stray bullet earlier this week.
CB - The Ravens have really missed Marcus Peters, as their CBs have been getting beat recently. Marlon Humphrey is a quality starter and can hold his own as a #1, but Antohny Averett has not looked ready for a full-time role and could be exposed. Tavon Young has had a shaky year as their nickel CB.
S - Baltimore's front office has been one of the best drafting teams, as they found both Elliott and Clark in the 7th round. Elliott usually plays deep and doesn't get tested much, while Clark fills the role of the modern SS - a great tackler who is good enough in coverage. Rookie Stephens has mixed in as a 3rd safety/slot CB, but has been exposed in coverage.
My Prediction: Ravens 31, Vikings 23
After an atrocious game against the Cowboys, I think the Vikings bounce back and play a respectable game. However, Baltimore is a competent team coming off a bye, and will be looking to prove themselves after getting curb-stomped by the Bengals. The Vikings don't beat good teams on the road, and I think this will be the week where our defense starts giving up points en mass, now that we're facing a real offense. Kirk will inexplicably play much better than he did last week, but of course it won't be enough to win this one.
What do you think?
Line: Ravens -6 (73% money on Baltimore)
Injury Report
Vikings
DT Pierce Out
LB Barr Questionable
CB Dantzler Questionable
Ravens
RT Mekari Doubtful
HB Murray Doubtful
WR Watkins Questionable
WR Bateman Questionable
DT Williams Questionable
* My Thoughts *
QB - Lamar is having another strong season in Baltimore's run-heavy offense, but they have shifted to throwing the ball more often (up from 25 attempts a game in 2020 to 32). Jackson still has struggles with accuracy every once in a while, but that can be attributed to the aggressive nature of their passing game. Jackson passes for 10.5 yards downfield every time he throws the ball and has a receiver with a tendency to drop deep balls (more on him later). Jackson is still dangerous on the ground, with 480 yards rushing already, and will force defenses to field a spy, allowing for more passing lanes. The modern NFL is built for a QB like Jackson and he is thriving.
HB - This is unquestionably the worst halfback room in the NFL. Murray is hurt and wasn't anything special before then. Despite Freeman and Williams averaging 5.5 YPC, they are both below average ball-carriers who will have runs to run down with the threat of Lamar looming. Williams has shown some burst but has poor vision, Freeman is mostly cooked at this point. Bell will get some reps in the passing game, but he is also past his prime. After successfully slowing down the Elliott/Pollard combo, I think the Vikings run defense can handle these pedestrian RBs.
WR/TE - Marquise Brown is possibly the NFL's best deep threat when his hands are working. He dropped 3 separate TDs against Detroit earlier this year, but he gets open deep frequently and Lamar has the arm to get the ball to him. Sammy Watkins has been pretty good with the Ravens, but he's brittle and past his prime. 1st rounder Minnesota alum Bateman has 7-109-0 in his first 2 games. They have invested a lot of mid-round picks into Duvernay (3rd), Boykin (3rd), Wallace (4th), and Proche (6th from Vikings), but none of them have taken the next step. Duvernay is a quality KR/PR, though.
Mark Andrews is the team's best overall target and is on pace for 1250 yards on the year. The Vikings are one of the best teams in the league against TEs, so Lamar may opt to throw more to his WRs (who will likely be open).
OL - Torn apart by injuries with their starting 2 tackles on the IR, the Ravens have been playing guards at tackle with varying results. Villanueva has been getting pushed around in pass protection and has not been the same guy he was in Pittsburgh. Meanwhile they've gotten solid play at RT from Mekari, who was a below average center the past two years. Instead, natural guard Tyre Phillips will fill in at RT. Bozeman and Zeitler (the OL the Vikings should have signed in FA) are solid interior blockers, while Ben Powers has been shaky in run blocking but much better as a pass protector.
DL - Calais Campbell is still rolling like he is 25, with 15 run stops and 20 pressures so far. Madubuike has been average, but the Ravens have preferred to use more 2 DL sets more often than not. Brandon Williams is the nose who took over for Michael Pierce, but 2021 has not been a kind year to him, but that could be injury related.
ED - 1st rounder Odafe Oweh (he was going by Jayson Oweh in the draft process) has been Baltimore's top edge rusher after an unproductive career at Penn State. Tyus Bowser has been a sloid secondary rusher to him, and they have a couple of veterans with successful careers on the bench to compliment them.
ILB - PFF really hates Patrick Queen, as they've given him Abysmal ratings in 2020 AND 2021. He's missed 10 tackles and been awful in coverage. Meanwhile, Josh Bynes will be playing more snaps at ILB with Malik Harrison injured by a stray bullet earlier this week.
CB - The Ravens have really missed Marcus Peters, as their CBs have been getting beat recently. Marlon Humphrey is a quality starter and can hold his own as a #1, but Antohny Averett has not looked ready for a full-time role and could be exposed. Tavon Young has had a shaky year as their nickel CB.
S - Baltimore's front office has been one of the best drafting teams, as they found both Elliott and Clark in the 7th round. Elliott usually plays deep and doesn't get tested much, while Clark fills the role of the modern SS - a great tackler who is good enough in coverage. Rookie Stephens has mixed in as a 3rd safety/slot CB, but has been exposed in coverage.
My Prediction: Ravens 31, Vikings 23
After an atrocious game against the Cowboys, I think the Vikings bounce back and play a respectable game. However, Baltimore is a competent team coming off a bye, and will be looking to prove themselves after getting curb-stomped by the Bengals. The Vikings don't beat good teams on the road, and I think this will be the week where our defense starts giving up points en mass, now that we're facing a real offense. Kirk will inexplicably play much better than he did last week, but of course it won't be enough to win this one.
What do you think?
... and neither is this Chris guy.
