ITPV » Heading into a crucial matchup with their most hated rival

Heading into a crucial matchup with their most hated rival Womens Justin Tucker Jersey , the Baltimore Ravens have dropped two straight games and leave much to be desired with their 4-4 record. The 2018 season is starting to form an eerily familiar narrative. A story arc in which the Ravens narrowly miss a wild card berth, left to draft just between the full rebuild franchises and the teams on the cusp of breaking through in 2019. Call it pessimism or realism, but the Ravens front office has floundered in the years since sending Ray Lewis into retirement with a Super Bowl ring. With just a singular postseason victory since hoisting the Lombardi almost five years ago, the Ravens have faded into the background of the NFL landscape. Attempting to infuse hope into a disgruntled and disappointed fan base, Baltimore has cycled through coordinators and continuously made humble but strategic additions to try to revive Joe Flacco’s tenure as the franchise quarterback. After becoming Super Bowl MVP, Flacco received an inflated contract that has proven to be more of a crippling cap constraint than an worthwhile investment for the organization. In drafting Lamar Jackson in April, the Ravens followed their own ineffective playbook. The move was just bold enough to bring excitement and speculation into Baltimore’s offseason. However, questions about Jackson’s ability to become an NFL-caliber quarterback kept the status quo, never truly threatening Flacco’s position on the depth chart. Time and time again, Baltimore has flirted with dramatic change only to make incremental tweaks to a team that has failed to make any real noise since 2014. In a league that is defined by parity, rapid change and evolving strategy, to be stagnant is to become inconsequential. The Ravens have not finished with double digit wins in three seasons, yet have won just enough contests to push them down draft boards. In the last four drafts, Baltimore has selected in the top 10 just once, drafting Ronnie Stanley with the sixth overall pick in 2016. In that same draft, the currently undefeated Los Angeles Rams traded up to select Jared Goff and the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles did the same to pick Carson Wentz. More aggressive franchises have rebuilt their rosters, transformed their coaching staff and revamped their front office personnel. In contrast, Baltimore has attempted to lean on their trademark defense without success. Ravens Rankings 2015-2018YearTotal Offense Rank (YPG) Total Defense Rank (YPG) YearTotal Offense Rank (YPG) Total Defense Rank (YPG) Through eight games, the Ravens have improved compared to prior years Joe Flacco Jersey , yet find themselves on the fringe entering a season-defining home game against the Steelers. If the Ravens fall short on Sunday, Baltimore will have a losing record and just one divisional victory on the year. With the AFC West likely to have two postseason representatives in the Chiefs and Chargers, the Ravens will be in familiar territory, fighting until the waning seconds of Week 17 to clinch that final wild card spot. If Baltimore fails to reach the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year, it is hard to envision a scenario where John Harbaugh keeps his job. With Eric DeCosta set to take over for Ozzie Newsome in 2019, the timing would be optimal for the new general manager to start positioning the franchise in an entirely new direction. Quarterbacks:Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers:Available in 87.3% of leaguesAs much as I wanted Ryan Fitzpatrick to succeed and keep the starting job in Tampa Bay, he could not keep his rock-solid play up and will be the clipboard holder this weekend against a poor Falcons defense. I have not been impressed with Jameis Winston since he arrived in the NFL, but with so many options to go to in his arsenal, he is a quality streaming option this week.Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesRunning Backs:Alfred Morris, San Francisco 49ers:Week 5 Stats: 61 Rushing YDS, 3 Receptions, 30 Receiving YDS, 12.1 PTSAvailable in 51.3% of leaguesThe 49ers have been decimated by the injury bug to start 2018. Matt Breida had been one of the silver linings for the San Francisco offense, but he left in the first half of Sunday’s matchup with an ankle injury. With Jerick McKinnon out for the year and Breida out for the foreseeable future with a mid-ankle sprain, Alfred Morris is the top waiver wire add for Week 6.Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty ImagesAlfred Blue, Houston Texans:Week 5 Stats: 46 Rushing YDS, 8 Receptions, 73 Receiving YDS Youth John Brown Jersey , 19.9 PTSAvailable in 84.4% of leaguesEven though he was designated as ‘active’ for their game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football, Lamar Miller did not play a snap. Alfred Blue feasted on the opportunity for first team reps. Blue averaged 2.3 YPC, but he was a major factor in the passing game off of dump offs, building a nice rapport with Deshaun Watson and showcasing his talents on the national stage.Photo by Bob Levey/Getty ImagesWide Receivers:Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers:Week 5 Stats: 7 Receptions, 68 YDS, 19.8 PTSAvailable in 96.8% of leaguesEven in a disappointing outcome for the Green Bay Packers, they may have found a gem in their rookie wide out. With both Randall Cobb (hamstring) and Geronimo Allison (concussion) unable to suit up for the matchup against the Lions, Marquez Valdes-Scantling took advantage of the opportunity. He established himself as a reliable second option opposite Davante Adams, and if Cobb and Allison miss extended time, he is in flex consideration for their Week 6 matchup on Monday Night Football against the 49ers. Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesJamison Crowder, Washington Redskins:Week 5 Stats: 4 Receptions, 55 YDS, 9.5 PTSAvailable in 50.7% of leaguesThe Redskins got their rear ends handed to them last night on Monday Night Football in the Big Easy. When looking for any semblance of hope from the blowout, I was impressed with what I saw from Jamison Crowder. He has now recorded four receptions in the past two games for a squad that still has not had a receiver take the reins as the number one option. Josh Doctson continues to miss time due to injuries and Paul Richardson has not really gelled with Alex Smith. Crowder showed poise last night in the midst of a blowout, and he should be given flex consideration for the next few games.Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images