Kansas City Chiefs: Getting to know the Ravens before week 3

The Ravens are averaging 35.5 points per game through the first two weeks of the season. Who or what has been the key to that offensive output?

“The biggest key to offensive output has been the fact that Lamar Jackson is playing at an MVP level. In two games, Jackson has only had 11 incomplete passes. Jackson had 25 attempts in the first game and 24 in the second. [Offensive coordinator] Greg Roman calls a balanced game and the Ravens know exactly what they want to do. The biggest difference in the 2020 season thus far is the fact that Jackson has been less dependent on the run game and more specifically his running game.

Jackson has always been a better passer than he’s gotten credit for and last year he completely changed the book on his arm. He led the league in touchdown passes in 2019 and he didn’t turn the ball over a lot. Jackson is doing more this year, he’s in full command and he doesn’t need things to stick on script to be efficient. Against the Browns, the run game was a tenuous effort. Against the Texans, Jackson has to deal with a ton of pressure. The Ravens have had some issues, yet the efficiency of Jackson and the progress he’s made overall at the quarterback position has prevented any setbacks.”

Early thoughts on the play of linebacker Patrick Queen, the team’s first-round pick in 2020 out of LSU?

“Patrick Queen has been incredibly impressive. He’s been a sideline-to-sideline linebacker so he’s living up to his scouting reports. What impresses me about Queen though is how much the Ravens are asking him to do. He’s been a run stopper, a blitzing linebacker and an asset in pass coverage. In 2014, C.J. Mosley had an impressive rookie season. Many thought Mosley may have ended up the next great Ravens linebacker. He was good, [but] this is different. Queen is already playing at such a high level that we should expect nothing but greatness out of his career with the Ravens.”

How’s ex-Chief Marcus Peters been faring so far this season?

“Marcus Peters just had an incredible diving interception against the Houston Texans. He’s been one of the best play-makers for the Ravens defense since [general manager] Eric DeCosta traded for him last season. When you watch Peters play, you almost have to wonder how it was possible that two other teams have let him leave. Peters is easily one of the best cornerbacks in football and he’s the perfect player to pair with Marlon Humphrey, who may be even better than him. Peters is awesome and he’s a true Ravens kind of player.”

I love John Harbaugh. He’s the strongest branch of the Andy Reid Coaching Tree by far. But it seemed to me that just a couple of years ago he was on the verge of losing his job before he turned things over from Joe Flacco to Lamar Jackson, who sparked a huge turnaround. How do you feel about Harbaugh as the team’s leader, especially this far into his tenure?

“Have there been times where I was completely down on John Harbaugh? Yes. Has he always gotten things back on track and made me change my tune? Yes. Harbaugh is a good coach. I think he has some serious flaws but there isn’t a coach in the NFL you can’t say that about. What we’ve learned is that when Harbaugh has the right coordinators around him, magic happens and it’s never gotten all that bad. The Ravens have had one losing season with Harbaugh as the coach (a 2015 season plagued by injuries).

Like the Chiefs, the Ravens value continuity. Harbaugh is a good leader and a tremendous players’ coach. Does he rely on his coordinators a little too much? Yes. Does he stink at in game adjustments way too much? Yes. He has some problem areas yet he’s one of the best coaches in the entire game. In fact I would only put Bill Belichick and Andy Reid ahead of him right now.”