Baltimore Ravens
Top 10 Performing Baltimore Ravens This Season
Baltimore Ravens

Top 10 Performing Baltimore Ravens This Season

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker (9) celebrates with teammates after kicking field goal against the New England Patriots in the third quarter during the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Ravens are now 6-5. It’s been an up and down season but these players have set an example for their teammates:

The Baltimore Ravens have a chance to win the AFC North. It is the only goal the Ravens have in sight. The purple and black are in the driver seat of their own destiny. If they take care of business they will go to the playoffs. If they squander a chance or two to pick up a win, it could get a little too interesting for comfort.

Who have the Ravens relied on the most this season? That’s the only question that needs to be asked in order to determine the top 10 performers of the season. These are the players that set the standard. These are the players that grind it out every single week. Whether it is playing through an injury or going the extra effort on every single play, these Ravens do what they have to do.

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Here’s a spoiler alert for you, most of this list features defensive players. However if you have been watching the games, you shouldn’t be surprised. The Ravens have the number two ranked defense in the NFL. So let’s get down to it. The top 10 Ravens of the 2016 season.

Nov 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker (9) high fives fans after beating the Cincinnati Bengals 19-14 at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

1. Justin Tucker

Justin Tucker is the best kicker in the NFL. It’s not even close. He has made all 27 of his field goal attempts this season. Tucker is having one of the greatest seasons a kicker has ever had. He’s 7-7 from beyond 50 yards. He is 11-11 from 40-49 yards. You know he isn’t missing the chip shots. Tucker has accounted for 96 points this season.

Tucker is possibly the Ravens most valuable player. The offense is struggling to put up points. Without a reliable kicker the Ravens would be like a bakery without an oven. Tucker is more than reliable. So far this season, he has been perfect.

Tucker is the top performer because he is literally the only player that has given us nothing to criticize. Kickers are players too and right now the kicker is the Ravens MVP.

Sep 11, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) looks on prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

2. Jimmy Smith

If you did not appreciate Jimmy Smith before this season, you have to now. When Smith is in the game the best receiver of the opposing team is slowed down. If Smith is not in the game, the secondary is obviously weaker. When Smith left the game against the Giants, Odell Beckham Jr. ate the Ravens alive. When Smith was in the game the Giants diva receiver was having a quiet day.

One of the most important moments in the Ravens season was the win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. A big part of beating Pittsburgh was slowing down Antonio Brown. While Dean Pees did not leave Smith alone without help, without Smith Brown may have taken over the game.

Smith sat out the Cowboys game with an injury. Dak Prescott figured out pretty quickly that Shareece Wright could not cover any of his receivers, especially Dez Bryant. Wright was the weak link in the Ravens defense and the Cowboys exploited it without mercy. This opened up the passing game for the Cowboys. If Smith played it would have been a different game. That shows you how important he is to the Ravens.

Nov 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) pressured by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

3. Terrell Suggs

Terrell Suggs is having one of his most impressive seasons. Coming off a devastating injury that cost him the 2015 season, the 34-year-old outside linebacker has been the Ravens most fearsome defender. Suggs has been playing for several weeks with a biceps injury that many players couldn’t play with. Suggs is the toughest player on the field.

The legendary linebacker has eight sacks this season. Suggs is coming off a great performance against the Bengals where he had two sacks and two forced fumbles. Against the Cleveland Browns number 55 had a sack, a forced fumble and caused a pass to be popped in the air leading to an interception. Against Joe Thomas, who is one of the best left tackles of all time, and with one good arm, Suggs sizzled.

When Suggs missed the game against the New York Jets his absence was notable. The Ravens failed to set the edge on run defense and Matt Forte had too much fun. Suggs is known as a great pass rusher, however he makes a much bigger impact as an all around player.

Sep 25, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Kyle Arrington (24) and inside linebacker Zach Orr (54) run after intercepting the ball during the second half of a football game against the Jacksonville Jaguarsat EverBank Field. The Baltimore Ravens won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

4. Zach Orr

Zach Orr has been incredibly impressive this season. Going into the season, the Ravens were looking for a linebacker to step up and take over Daryl Smith’s old job. It looked like it was going to be Kamalei Correa, the Ravens second round pick. Orr gained valuable experience in the Ravens awful 5-11 season. He got the first crack at winning the starting job and he never looked back.

Number 54 has been a productive linebacker. Orr has 69 total tackles, and 31 assisted tackles. Orr has been an aggressive linebacker. He is flying around the football field and making a huge impact against the run and the pass. Orr also has an interception to his resume.

The Ravens defense had a number of concerns coming into the season. Orr has put one of those concerns to rest. I was a pretty big fan of Orr before the season but he has surpassed my expectations.

Nov 10, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

5. Steve Smith Sr.

There are not a ton of offensive players on this elite list of Ravens. However this 37-year-old receiver coming off an ACL tear in 2015 seems like a super human. Smith is getting the job done. When he is not on the field the offense doesn’t have the same energy. He is a veteran leader who is driving opponents crazy.

Smith has missed two games and he is still the most prolific receiver this season. He has 48 receptions for 536 yards and three touchdowns. Smith helped his legacy this season. Not only did he show incredible resolve coming back from his injury but he recorded his 1,000th career reception. Smith has strengthened his case as a future inductee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was a legend in Carolina and he is an inspiration in Baltimore.

The Ravens need a lot more players like number 89. On top of his extraordinary talent, Smith Sr. has heart, determination and defines what Ravens football is all about. Steve Smith Sr. is the man.

Nov 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens safety Matt Elam (33) high fives safety Eric Weddle (32) after making a tackle during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

6. Eric Weddle

Last season the Ravens defense struggled. The secondary was a train wreck. This season the Ravens have the second ranked defense and the sixth best pass defense. That drastic improvement does not happen without Eric Weddle. He has been the strong safety the Ravens have been missing for a while. Routinely he breaks up passes and punishes receivers.

Weddle helps the purple and black in three ways. In addition to making receivers miserable, he helps stuff the run game too.  Finally it is his veteran leadership that does wonders for this team.

The long-time San Diego Charger is playing like he has been here forever. He has recorded 35 solo tackles and assisted in 23 tackles. Weddle has two interceptions and a forced fumble as well.

Sep 25, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker C.J. Mosley (57) tackles Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Julius Thomas (80) in second half at EverBank Field. Baltimore Ravens won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

7. C.J. Mosley:

Mosley is one of those players that I never worry about. Even in the rare moment where he makes a mistake, Mosley plays hard and fast through the whistle. He is a football smart linebacker that diagnoses plays well and he shuts them down. The former Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker has recorded 38 solo takes and has 13 assisted tackles. He has picked off three passes.

Mosley came into the NFL as a good player but Daryl Smith and Terrell Suggs were the leaders of the defense. This season Mosley has become a leader. He is the perfect linebacker for this modern age of football because he can cover and he can bring destruction to the running game.

The Ravens have one of the best combinations of inside linebackers in a 3-4 front. Mosley is playing incredible football and living up to being the 17th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Sep 25, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive end Timmy Jernigan (99) celebrates making a stop during the second half of a football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank FieldThe Baltimore Ravens won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

8. Timmy Jernigan:

Timmy Jernigan is having an incredible season and we are finally seeing him make the most of his potential. Jernigan is the Ravens leader in sacks. With 5 quarterback take downs and an interception, this former FSU Seminole is making a name for himself. Jernigan has 13 solo tackles and 15 assisted tackles.

Jernigan has already bested his best statistical season. It really seems like this is player that is on the way up to big things. Jernigan is in his third season. This year we are seeing a more motivated and focused performance from the 295 pound unstoppable force.

The purple and black are really exciting on defense. Jernigan is quite literally a huge reason for that. The Ravens may have the best defensive line in football. Jernigan is becoming a pass rushing pro’s pro, but he is also great against the run.

Oct 16, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Terrance West (28) runs the ball against New York Giants linebacker Devon Kennard (59) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

9. Terrance West:

Terrance West is a better player than his statistics suggest. One thing that we have to be frustrated with is that the Ravens have struggled to commit to the running game. West can take over the game if he gets rolling. When the purple and black have given him his touches, West has been a star. West has only gone over 100 yards once this season, but he has only gotten 20 or more carries in three games this season.

Against the Redskins West averaged 8.6 yards per carry. West was something that the Redskins had no answer for in the first quarter and Baltimore got off to a fast start. They only gave West 11 carries in the game, despite the fact that he was nearing 100 yards before halftime. He was averaging 5.3 yards against the Cowboys yet the Ravens only gave him the rock eight times.

West has 600 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the season. The Ravens passing attack scares nobody. The Ravens rushing attack is neglected. West is doing the job, the Ravens just have to let him do more of it.

Nov 15, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb (21) celebrates after intercepting a pass from Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (not pictured) during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

10. Lardarius Webb:

If you’re surprised to see Webb here, you may want to pay attention to what he’s doing on the field. Moving Webb to the free safety position was a stroke of pure genius for the Ravens. The aging veteran isn’t a long-term solution at the position, but he is getting the job done. The Ravens now have a football savvy free safety who is always where he needs to be.

For some reason, Webb has been a popular player to complain about. The cornerback position was getting rough for him, but we have to admit he’s playing the safety position like he’s been there his whole career.

The Baltimore Ravens have had an up and down season but it’s these 10 players that have been impressive the whole time. These are the players that john Harbaugh needs to lean on if he wants to be coaching in the NFL Playoffs again. It’s go time and the Ravens best players are going to bring it.

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