Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
glenn erby

NFL Power Rankings: Ravens rise into the top 3 after win over Cardinals

The Ravens are 6-2 among the best teams in the NFL after a hard-fought 31-24 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

Baltimore’s passing game took a step back, but the defense was solid, and Lamar Jackson made plays when needed.

With an intriguing matchup against the Seahawks looming, here are the Week 9 NFL Power Rankings, with the Ravens rising into the top 3.

ESPN--4

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 29: Justin Tucker #9 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with Tyler Ott #69 of the Baltimore Ravens after a field goal during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

ESPN has the Ravens at No. 4 after their win in Arizona.

4. Baltimore Ravens (6-2)

Week 8 ranking: 5

Team QBR: 59.4 (12th)

Lamar Jackson is living up to the five-year, $260 million contract he signed this offseason. In his first year in Todd Monken’s offense, Jackson is more accurate than ever, completing 70.5% of his passes (third best in the NFL). He’s still dangerous with his legs, whether it’s extending plays or delivering big gains on the ground. His 380 yards rushing tops all quarterbacks. Jackson’s playmaking ability is why Baltimore is tied for the best record in the AFC and holds a 1½-game lead in the AFC North. — Jamison Hensley

Pro Football Talk --4

Oct 29, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Joshua Dobbs (9) escapes a tackle by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) in the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Florio and company have Baltimore as the No. 4 team.

NFL.com--2

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 29: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens high fives fans after his team’s 31-24 win against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

NFL.com has Baltimore at No. 2 heading into Week 9.

There were minimal signs of an emotional letdown for the Ravens after Week 7’s trouncing of the Lions. Lamar Jackson did little, but they didn’t need him to do much. They allowed Arizona to hang around too long, but in the end, this was a solid road win. They’ll take it, with the next three games (and six of the final nine) in Baltimore. That’s the good news. The bad? Most of the remaining opponents look fairly tough or better. And the AFC North has muscled up a bit since the Ravens last played a divisional game. Still, they’re 6-2, tied atop the AFC and arguably playing as well as anyone in the conference. This week’s opponent, the Seahawks, could be one big win away from making that claim on the NFC side. The Ravens’ steep march to the playoffs begins in earnest.

The Athletic--2

Oct 29, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks on prior to the game Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Athletic has Baltimore in the top 2.

2. Baltimore Ravens (6-2)
(Last week: 3)

Sunday: Beat Arizona Cardinals 31-24

Something scary (for others): Lamar Jackson under Todd Monken

The Ravens’ new offensive coordinator has the Ravens’ old quarterback playing at an MVP level. In the last three weeks, no quarterback in the league has more total expected points added (24.98) than Jackson, according to TruMedia, and his completion percentage (70.5) and yards per attempt (7.8) are on pace to be career highs.

Up next: vs. Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

CBS Sports--2

Oct 29, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards (35) takes a hand off from Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) and scores a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

CBS Sports has Baltimore at No. 2 on the list.

They found a way against Arizona, but the passing game took a step back. That’s a concern for this group.

Sports Illustrated -- 3

Oct 29, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards (35) runs for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Sporting News has Baltimore at No. 3 overall.

3. Baltimore Ravens 6-2 (3)

The Ravens don’t get a lot of style points for getting a little sloppy defensively at the end of their game at Arizona, but keep in mind they were riding the high of the Lions rout and had a mini letdown ahead of bigger matchups. Still, Lamar Jackson and the running game kept doing their thing.

The Ringer -- 3

Oct 29, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Baltimore Ravens safety Geno Stone (26) celebrates with linebacker Patrick Queen (6) and defensive end Brent Urban (97) after intercepting a pass in the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Ringer has Baltimore at No. 3 on the list.

USA Today--2

Oct 29, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (43) runs the ball in the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today has the Ravens at No. 2 on the list.

2. Ravens (4): At 6-2 and leading their division, are they the AFC’s best team? Maybe, but they certainly seem to have the conference’s best safety tandem in Kyle Hamilton and emergent Geno Stone, who leads the NFL with five INTs.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.