The Arizona Cardinals will host the 5-2 Baltimore Ravens Sunday afternoon hoping to snap a four-game losing streak. It will be a tough game, especially with quarterback Kyler Murray, running back James Conner and tight end Zach Ertz all still injured.
The Cardinals have not faced the Ravens since 2019, Murray’s rookie season.
What is there to know about the Ravens? In our weekly “behind enemy lines” feature, Ravens Wire managing editor Glenn Erby answers a few questions of mine and makes his prediction for the game on Sunday.
Check out his responses and predictions below.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
Lamar Jackson
Did Lamar Jackson turn a corner on Sunday against the Lions? How has his season been?
Jackson continues to turn corners weekly, and against Detroit, he put the national audience and expert media members on notice about his ability to dominate from the pocket and as an accurate passer. He’s on an MVP pace through the first seven games played; Jackson has 1,610 yards passing (71% COMP), eight touchdowns, three interceptions, and a 63.3 QBR, good for seventh in the NFL.
The offense
What is different about the offense under new OC Todd Monken?
Under Monken, the Ravens have been under center more while moving away from two tight end sets and incorporating more three and four wide receiver sets. Monken has allowed QB Lamar Jackson to take more ownership of the offense while doing an excellent job featuring rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers. The Baltimore offense under Todd Monken is less predictable, innovative, and more explosive.
The defense
The Ravens are No. 1 in scoring defense and No. 2 in total defense. Is that where they will likely rank later in the season? Why?
The Ravens are stout on defense, and they’ve been dominant despite dealing with injuries at the edge rusher position (Odafe Oweh, David Ojabo) and defensive back (Marlon Humphrey, Ar’Darius Washington, Marcus Williams, Damarion Williams). Eric DeCosta, adding Jadeveon Clowney, Kyle Van Noy, and Ronald Darby, has helped tremendously, along with the versatility of CB Brandon Stephens and the All-Pro play of Geno Stone.
Matchups
What matchups are you excited for? Which ones worry you some?
Marquise Brown leads the Cardinals in receptions (32), receiving yards (383), and touchdown catches (3). Brown’s top-end speed is the biggest worry. Mark Andrews and his matchup against Cardinals safety Budda Baker pits two elite athletes against each other in close quarters.
Prediction
Baltimore is focused and looking to take their place among the AFC’s elite teams. Arizona has played tough football this season, and if Kyler Murray was active and James Conner was healthy, we’d be a bit more worried. Baltimore’s defense shines as the Ravens win 31-14.
