Ravens Report Card: Costly Errors Sink Playoff Hopes in Week 16

Quarterback: B+

Before his untimely exit with a back injury in the second quarter, Lamar Jackson displayed flashes of brilliance, completing 7-of-10 passes for 101 yards. His ability to improvise—making crucial off-script throws—was evident as he connected time and again with rookie Zay Flowers for substantial gains. In his absence, Tyler Huntley stepped in admirably, leading two touchdown drives. However, one can't overlook the question marks surrounding Huntley's deep ball effectiveness, despite his respectable completion percentage of 90%.

Running Back: B+

Derrick Henry's first-quarter fumble proved to be a haunting moment, extinguishing burgeoning momentum. Yet, the star running back rebounded strongly, finishing with 128 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. Strangely, he saw limited action in the crucial closing drives—did the coaches mismanage this? Keaton Mitchell's quiet performance further emphasized the reliance on Henry, leaving us to wonder what the backfield's future holds.

Wide Receiver: B

Despite a strong game that included seven receptions for 84 yards and a rushing touchdown, Flowers' final touch, a fumble in the dying minutes, overshadowed his otherwise stellar performance. DeAndre Hopkins showed why he's still a combatant in the league, making critical catches. However, the absence of impact plays from Rashod Bateman raises eyebrows—what is his status moving forward?

Tight End: C

Mark Andrews' struggles were evident again, contributing minimally with just two catches for 21 yards. His near turnover attempt before halftime could have derailed the entire game. With other tight ends failing to step up, including Isaiah Likely, the unit must reassess its role in Baltimore's offensive scheme.

Offensive Line: B+

The offensive line found some rhythm this week, allowing Jackson and Huntley to navigate the pocket with minimal disruption. A stark improvement in run blocking offered Henry open lanes, contributing to an impressive 171 rushing yards. However, lingering penalties brought concerns—will this unit maintain its momentum as the playoffs loom?

Defensive Line: C+

The defensive front showed grit against the run but faltered at a critical junction, allowing long gains late in the game. While the Ravens generally contained the Patriots' ground game, the ensuing slack pass rush raises questions about their ability to close out tight contests—something that urgently needs targeting in practice.

Edge Rusher: C+

Despite boasting four sacks, the Ravens' edge rushers failed to consistently pressure quarterback Drake Maye. The defensive line needs to find its spark, and with critical games ahead, fans will be watching closely to see how they adapt. Their run defense showed promise, benefiting from solid performances from Dre'Mont Jones and Kyle Van Noy.

Linebacker: C+

Roquan Smith had a decent performance with a team-high 10 tackles but lacked highlight plays. His effectiveness in making splash plays needs improvement. With critical games approaching, his leadership becomes essential.

Cornerback: C+

Marlon Humphrey's early interception signaled promise, but it was followed by inconsistent performance, including a costly touchdown allowed in the fourth quarter. The secondary must tighten up to protect leads as the Ravens' defense prepares for high-pressure matchups ahead.

Safety: B-

Alohi Gilman's erratic tackling shone a light on the need for improvement, yet he also contributed with eight tackles. Kyle Hamilton showed flashes of brilliance, notably with a tackle-for-loss. We need to see more cohesion and consistency as the season reaches its climax.

Special Teams: C+

The Ravens' special teams unit provided a scoring opportunity with a well-executed defense against a fake punt. However, missed attempts, particularly Tyler Loop's failure on a long field goal, puts added pressure on the offense. Improved efficiency is necessary for a balanced attack.

Final Thoughts

With the playoffs around the corner, the Ravens need to eliminate costly errors and build on the positive flashes demonstrated this week. The coming weeks will set the stage for Baltimore's postseason aspirations, but next week must bring a sharper execution of strategy if they hope to contend.