The Baltimore Ravens hold a 3-2 record heading into Week 6 of the 2023 NFL season, and although they could be dark-horse Super Bowl contenders, there are some cracks in their armor.
They lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are inferior on paper, last Sunday in a game in which they scored just 10 points. Their normally stout running game was grounded, and quarterback Lamar Jackson completed only 22 of 38 passes while throwing zero touchdown passes and one interception.
Baltimore is second in both points and total yards allowed, but its offense, particularly its pass offense, could use a boost. They rank just 26th in passing yards and 27th in passing touchdowns, and they’ve been held under 20 points in two of their last three games, both of which were losses.
Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey says that players around the league have contacted him and told him they want to team up with him.
In terms of areas of need, another threat at wide receiver would seem to top the list, and it’s something that Hall of Famer Michael Irving seemed to allude to recently when he expressed concern for Baltimore. Rookie wideout Zay Flowers is looking like a definite stud with 317 yards in five games, but only one of the Ravens’ other wideouts has reached 100 yards, and none of them have eclipsed 200 yards so far this year.
As the trade deadline nears, there could be a few intriguing wide receivers that could be available on the market.
While the Ravens have always been well-known for playing old-school pound-and-ground football (they’re fourth in rushing attempts this season), if they are to get past the powers in the AFC and reach the Super Bowl, they will need to make plays down the field on occasion. One has to think head coach John Harbaugh would adjust his offense at least a little bit should his team obtain some help at wide receiver.
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