This defense has a really hard time with mobile QBs. Partially because of their ability to run, partially because the secondary is weak and coverage breaks down fast so a QB creating more time to throw is a big problem. I could see this game becoming a bit of a shoot out and, at least at this point, the Ravens have the better QB so I would imagine they'll win.
At 4-4 the season is far from over for the Vikings but even so, I don't imagine them as a super bowl contender and so watching JJM's progression is still number one for me.
Vikings Vs. Ravens
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Re: Vikings Vs. Ravens
This game looks much like the Eagle game from an offensive point of view. Jackson is a top QB and has proven he can throw and run with the best. With his style he will take more hits and with that the injury possibility increase. He will also take chances with his passing. Derrick Henry is a beast. I believe we will try and stop him first because if he gets on a roll it's over. He'll get stronger as the game goes on and beat up the defensive front. If he gets into the secondary he can run people over or drag them for additional yardage. He did fumble a few games in a row early in the season so we will look to punch it out. Gang tackling and penetration is a must have. I don't think the Ravens defense is that good although they have shown improvement and held the Rams in check. IMO our offense will come down to our OL play. If they can create some holes to run the ball that will get us going. If not it will be like every game when the blocking is bad a struggle to put points up. We played good on all 3 levels last week and it will take the same this week for a win. I think we sneak out a win 27-26.
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VikingLord
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Re: Vikings Vs. Ravens
This should be an interesting game. Both teams have suffered from a lot of key injuries, so I don't think either has played it's best football for most of the year and it is hard to evaluate the matchup we'll see this Sunday based on that because it looks like both teams will be relatively healthy.
Stop or at least contain Lamar when on defense. Prevent the big plays down the field and play fundamentally sound against the run are keys for the Vikings defensively. The Ravens offense isn't better or more balanced that the Lions offense, and if the Vikings can defend the Lions, they can defend the Ravens. We just haven't seen the consistency from the Vikings defense to make me confident they will repeat that performance, but I also don't think the Ravens will run roughshod over them either.
Offensively, McCarthy needs to continue to show development. Being able to play with a lead would be ideal for that to happen as KOC can keep the offense balanced between pass and run, so it's important the Vikings don't fall behind early or, at the very least they keep it close so they can keep the run game as a factor and not have everything fall on McCarthy's shoulders late.
If the Vikings can keep their intensity up and play a sound all-around game I think they can stay with the Ravens and have a chance to win late. If they revert to the kind of mistake-ridden, low-intensity play we've seen at times this year, I wouldn't be surprised if the Ravens won comfortably.
I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw last week against the Lions on both sides of the ball. I hope I continue to see that level of effort and steady progression at the QB position going into this week. Despite the team being 4-4 they are still in the mix and if they can beat the Ravens they will put themselves into a very good position going forward.
Stop or at least contain Lamar when on defense. Prevent the big plays down the field and play fundamentally sound against the run are keys for the Vikings defensively. The Ravens offense isn't better or more balanced that the Lions offense, and if the Vikings can defend the Lions, they can defend the Ravens. We just haven't seen the consistency from the Vikings defense to make me confident they will repeat that performance, but I also don't think the Ravens will run roughshod over them either.
Offensively, McCarthy needs to continue to show development. Being able to play with a lead would be ideal for that to happen as KOC can keep the offense balanced between pass and run, so it's important the Vikings don't fall behind early or, at the very least they keep it close so they can keep the run game as a factor and not have everything fall on McCarthy's shoulders late.
If the Vikings can keep their intensity up and play a sound all-around game I think they can stay with the Ravens and have a chance to win late. If they revert to the kind of mistake-ridden, low-intensity play we've seen at times this year, I wouldn't be surprised if the Ravens won comfortably.
I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw last week against the Lions on both sides of the ball. I hope I continue to see that level of effort and steady progression at the QB position going into this week. Despite the team being 4-4 they are still in the mix and if they can beat the Ravens they will put themselves into a very good position going forward.
Re: Vikings Vs. Ravens
From:
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/page/v ... 025#balmin
What we're hearing on the Vikings: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has a 24-3 career record against NFC teams, but the Vikings have an experienced counterbalance. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores coached against Jackson twice when he was the Dolphins' head coach. In the second matchup, during the 2021 season, Flores blitzed Jackson on 52.1% of his dropbacks and held the Ravens' offense to 10 points. But that doesn't mean he'll choose the same path Sunday. In 2025, the Vikings' worst defensive games have come with their highest blitz rates. -- Kevin Seifert
Stat to know: The Ravens have allowed only one passing touchdown over their past three games (tied for the fewest in the NFL over that span). -- ESPN Research
Bold prediction: The Vikings will blitz less than usual. Minnesota's defense blitzes 39% of the time, second in the league behind Atlanta, but Jackson is second with an 85.4 QBR against blitzes since the start of last season. Flores can switch things up to avoid Jackson's strength. -- Schatz
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My inputs:
If we hold BAL to 24 points or less (O, ST, D, whatever), I'll think that's a pretty good job by us overall.
If McCarthy has a TD pass or two, same. Pretty good job against that D.
Between 80-100 yards rushing, same.
I think we'll get pressure on Jackson but that is when chaos ensues. I can see us "flushing him" from the pocket for 27 yard runs. Not sure how you stop that - I don't even think a spy will help all that much.
I am guessing they will convert at least one third-and-twenty for a first down.
Their injury report is slight or nonexistent, so they have all guns on deck.
Going to be a battle, but I thought the same against DET. Let's go boys.
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/page/v ... 025#balmin
What we're hearing on the Vikings: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has a 24-3 career record against NFC teams, but the Vikings have an experienced counterbalance. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores coached against Jackson twice when he was the Dolphins' head coach. In the second matchup, during the 2021 season, Flores blitzed Jackson on 52.1% of his dropbacks and held the Ravens' offense to 10 points. But that doesn't mean he'll choose the same path Sunday. In 2025, the Vikings' worst defensive games have come with their highest blitz rates. -- Kevin Seifert
Stat to know: The Ravens have allowed only one passing touchdown over their past three games (tied for the fewest in the NFL over that span). -- ESPN Research
Bold prediction: The Vikings will blitz less than usual. Minnesota's defense blitzes 39% of the time, second in the league behind Atlanta, but Jackson is second with an 85.4 QBR against blitzes since the start of last season. Flores can switch things up to avoid Jackson's strength. -- Schatz
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My inputs:
If we hold BAL to 24 points or less (O, ST, D, whatever), I'll think that's a pretty good job by us overall.
If McCarthy has a TD pass or two, same. Pretty good job against that D.
Between 80-100 yards rushing, same.
I think we'll get pressure on Jackson but that is when chaos ensues. I can see us "flushing him" from the pocket for 27 yard runs. Not sure how you stop that - I don't even think a spy will help all that much.
I am guessing they will convert at least one third-and-twenty for a first down.
Their injury report is slight or nonexistent, so they have all guns on deck.
Going to be a battle, but I thought the same against DET. Let's go boys.