Fansided

NFL: Grading Each Team’s First Half

By Brad Rowland

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) calls out an audible in the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Chargers 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) calls out an audible in the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Chargers 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) reacts after catching a pass for a touchdown but called back due to a penalty during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Bengals defeated the Ravens 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) reacts after catching a pass for a touchdown but called back due to a penalty during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Bengals defeated the Ravens 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /

Baltimore Ravens

Did you know that the Baltimore Ravens have the best point differential in the NFL?

The Ravens have amassed a 5-3 record in the gauntlet of the AFC North (where all four teams are over .500), and they have been impressive at times. Baltimore leads the AFC in points allowed per game (16.4), and while the star talent isn’t quite at the same level as during the Ray Lewis-Ed Reed era, the Ravens have been quite opportunistic on that side of the ball.

Offensively, Joe Flacco has been hit-or-miss (as he always is), but the duo of Torrey Smith and Steve Smith has been pleasantly effective, and the running game has thrived without Ray Rice. There will almost always be issues with consistency as long as Flacco is the man in charge, but given that most pundits (including myself) pegged Baltimore for something approaching a .500 mark, things are going pretty well for the Ravens.

Grade: B

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