NFL Power Rankings: Ravens Ascending?

The Baltimore Ravens are the only unbeaten team in the AFC North after their 2-0 start.

You couldn't have drawn up a better start for the Baltimore Ravens. After their 27-24 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at Paycor Stadium, the Ravens are one of nine unbeaten teams left in the NFL. They're also the only undefeated team remaining in the AFC North. 

With Baltimore's early success, they were ranked No. 7 in Sports Illustrated's Week 2 Power Rankings. The Ravens were No. 9 in last week's power rankings.

"Some of the new accouterments in Baltimore’s offense are intriguing," SI writes. "Their misdirection run offense has been taken to another level and doesn’t even require Jackson to dangle himself as bait. Jackson, too, seems like a more confident passer who is more alert and set in the pocket while he’s making aggressive throws downfield. There are many more layers to this offense. We should buckle up." 

Lamar Jackson showed his growth as a passer and what the new-look Ravens offense is capable of. He completed 24 of 33 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson also had 12 carries for 54 yards. 

No play showed the progress Jackson has made as a passer more than his 52-yard bomb to Zay Flowers. 

HOLY ZAY !!!!!!!!!!

Tune in on CBS/@paramountplus pic.twitter.com/5TT7vI7af9

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 17, 2023

Baltimore also had balance in the running and receiving game.  Six different players had at least three catches. Mark Andrews and Nelson Agholor each caught a touchdown. 

On the ground, three different players, including Jackson, had over 10 carries. Justice Hill had 11 carries for 41 yards, while Gus Edwards had 10 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown. 

The Ravens' defense also stepped up without two of their best players in the secondary, Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Williams, holding Cincinnati's offense to just 17 points. Safety Geno Stone forced the lone turnover of the game with an interception in the third quarter. That led to Jackson's touchdown pass to Andrews, which gave Baltimore a 20-10 lead. 

If the Ravens' depth on both sides of the ball can continue to thrive, they'll continue to be among the NFL's best and should be even better once key players recover from injuries.

Baltimore hosts the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at M&T Bank Stadium.