NFL Power Rankings: Where Do Baltimore Ravens Land After Week 12?
The Baltimore Ravens rode solid defensive play to a 20-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night, continuing to look like one of the most complete teams in the NFL.
How did Sunday's win impact Baltimore's standing in the league's power rankings? Sports Illustrated released its updated list of the NFL's pecking order on Tuesday, and the Ravens found themselves at No. 4 out of 32 teams heading into their bye week.
Here's an excerpt from the piece on Baltimore.
"The Ravens uncorking the perfect fourth down blitz on Sunday night against the Chargers is why you’re hearing so much buzz about defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. Before the season, I was told the Ravens were expecting to lose him at some point in the near future. Once again, you’re seeing why."
Nov 26, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (24) celebrates with his teammates after recovering a fumble against the Los Angeles Chargers during the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
© Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
Good offenses draw headlines in the NFL, and the Ravens certainly have one of those with quarterback Lamar Jackson at the helm, but it's their defense that has helped this team win on multiple occasions this season, including this week against the Chargers.
That side of the ball held L.A. to just 10 points and 279 total yards, sacking quarterback Justin Herbert three times for 24 yards. The Chargers failed to produce anything of substance offensively for most of the night, giving Jackson and the offense plenty of cushion to ease to the win.
Baltimore with a record of 9-3 now holds sole possession of the No. 1 seed in the AFC, a good place to be entering a bye week. Once the Ravens return to play on Dec. 10, they will play host to a resurgent Los Angeles Rams team who, as of this writing, has revitalized its playoff hopes as winners of two straight.
Kickoff in two weeks for Baltimore and the NFC's L.A. team is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT, and the game will be televised on FOX.
