For the first time in the John Harbaugh era, the Baltimore Ravens (3-4) have lost four straight games. Baltimore heads into their bye week with no momentum and countless injuries.
Joe Flacco threw two costly interceptions, which resulted in 10 points for the Jets. He finished the day looking completely out of sync and appeared lost on several plays. During the second half of play, Flacco threw for only 48 yards with two interceptions.
Ravens running back Terrance West was shut down by the Jets’ front-seven, as he was only able to pick up 10 yards for the entire game. The one good run West had was negated by a holding penalty on rookie offensive tackle Alex Lewis, who is filling in for the injured Ronnie Stanley.
The absence of Stanley and guard Marshal Yanda has been a major loss for the Ravens so far this season and Baltimore’s offense won’t get any better until they return to action.
Injuries have also depleted the Ravens’ secondary, who let Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa burn them on a 69-yard catch-and-run touchdown in the first half of play. Enunwa led the Jets in receiving yards and scores while only catching two passes.
Despite recording five sacks and a forced fumble, the Ravens’ front-seven had no answers for Jets running back Matt Forte, who carried the football 30 times for 100 yards and one score. Forte also caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who played in relief of the injured Geno Smith. Fitzpatrick, who has turned the ball over 11 times this season, played quality football on Sunday as he didn’t turn the ball over once, something he has struggled to do up until this weekend.
If the Ravens have anything to hang their hats on, it’s their special teams. Jets punter Lac Edwards botched a snap following the Jets first offensive drive of the game, which resulted in seven points for the Ravens as wide receiver Chris Moore was able to come up with the ball in the end zone. This would be the only touchdown Baltimore would score against New York.
Ravens kicker Justin Tucker nailed three field goals from 40 yards or more as he has yet to miss a field goal or extra point this season. Defensive tackle Brandon Williams was able to block a Nick Folk field goal, which gave the Ravens one last chance to tie the game up. Baltimore’s offense failed to capitalize.
The bye week can’t come any sooner for the Ravens, who desperately need some of their injured star players to get healthy. Baltimore will now face an uphill climb to make the postseason, as the second half of their schedule is much more rigorous.
The Ravens will return to Baltimore to take on their arch nemesis, the Pittsburgh Steelers, on Sunday, Nov. 6.
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