BALTIMORE — The upcoming weekend marks a pivotal moment for the Baltimore Ravens, with or without the presence of star quarterback Lamar Jackson. This game feels like a crucial turning point for the team as they prepare to host the Chicago Bears.
After enjoying a bye week and welcoming back a healthier roster than in previous weeks, the Ravens face a daunting challenge with their current standing at 1-5. Sunday’s game against the Bears could prove vital. Although Baltimore is in a deep rut, a victory could ignite a resurgence, especially since the schedule becomes significantly less challenging afterward. The pressing question is: when does it become too late to rally?
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“The bye week was great,” remarked center Tyler Linderbaum. “It offered a chance to reset, get players healthy, and prepare for a strong push to finish the season 12-5.”
Securing a win to move to 2-5, however, is no small feat. The Bears arrive in Baltimore riding a wave of momentum with a four-game winning streak. Yet, should the Ravens overcome this hurdle, they face teams like Miami, Minnesota, Cleveland, the New York Jets, and Cincinnati, all presenting winnable opportunities to climb back into contention.
Unfortunately for the Ravens, Lamar Jackson will not make his return just yet. Despite participating in practices throughout the week, the team confirmed his absence on Saturday.
“It’s not about what I need to see; it’s about the player feeling comfortable to compete,” stated offensive coordinator Todd Monken on Thursday. “If he says he’s ready, I’m all-in. But ultimately, it’s his decision to step onto the field.”
The Bears are one of only three teams Jackson has never played against. The other two are the Ravens (obviously) and the Green Bay Packers. Jackson was ill the previous time Baltimore faced Chicago, in 2021.
“We’ll approach it that he’s starting for them,” Bears coach Ben Johnson said, well before the final word came on Jackson’s status. “That’s our starting point.”
Running Swift-ly
The Bears have gotten huge contributions from their running game since their Week 5 bye, particularly from D’Andre Swift.
The 2023 Pro Bowler has run for 232 yards and a touchdown in that two-game span to go with 81 yards receiving and a TD catch. He went off against New Orleans last week, running for a season-high 124 yards and a score.
Rookie Kyle Monangai added a career-high 81 yards and a touchdown, and Chicago racked up a season-best 222 yards on the ground.
“A lot of times you go execute those base things that go on within football, steps and hand placement when it comes to blocking and those type of things, and tracks and landmarks and wide receiver perimeter blocking,” quarterback Caleb Williams said. “When you have all that start to hit and click, and a lot of times that’s just the base things, it’s not even the scheme or anything. You do those things, you can positively affect the team on the ground. I think we’ve done a good job with that the past two weeks.”
Roquan reunion
This will be the first time Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith faces Chicago since the Bears traded him to Baltimore during the 2022 season. He was an All-Pro that season and then twice more since.
Chicago did get a second-round pick in the deal, which the Bears used to select Gervon Dexter, now one of their starters on the defensive line.
Takeaway tear
The Bears lead the NFL with 16 takeaways, and all but one have come in the past four games. They’ve come away with at least three turnovers in each of those outings.
Chicago hasn’t done that in five consecutive games in a single season since 1979. The Bears did it in six straight that season.
The Ravens are near the bottom of the NFL in turnover margin at minus-7. Baltimore has just three takeaways on the season. Only the New York Jets (one) have fewer.
Healing up
Several other Ravens who were dealing with injuries before the open date are expected to play against Chicago. That includes Smith (hamstring), tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) and fullback Patrick Ricard (calf).
Last meeting
With Jackson out, Tyler Huntley guided Baltimore to a 16-13 win at Chicago in 2021. Andy Dalton and Justin Fields played quarterback for the Bears.
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