NFL Grades: Report card for each team after first quarter of 2018

By Randy Gurzi | Oct 2, 2018

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Running back Todd Gurley #30 and quarterback Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams enter the stadium through the tunnel area of their game against the Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Tony Jefferson #23 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after a defensive stop during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Baltimore Ravens (3-1): A

The AFC North wasn’t supposed to be strong this season, especially considering the fact that the Baltimore Ravens were on a decline. Or at least we thought they were.

After missing the postseason last year, the Ravens used a first-round pick on Lamar Jackson out of Louisville. He may be a project, but it also seemed like it meant Joe Flacco would be on the way out soon. So far, he’s not looking ready to go.

Of course, Flacco has finally had some help as the front office made it a point to get some better receivers. They brought in Willie Snead, Michael Crabtree, and John Brown in free agency and that’s really opened up the offense. That’s been a big part of their 3-1 start to the season which was highlighted by a win over Pittsburgh on Sunday Night Football where the defense shut down the Steelers in the second half.

This has been the norm for them as ESPN reports Baltimore’s No. 1 ranked defense has not allowed a second-half touchdown this season. On Sunday, they only allowed 47 total yards in the second half.

Baltimore has always been known as a special defensive group and so far in 2018, that’s remained the case. The scary part is their offense finally looks capable of doing enough to keep them winning.

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