Two Ravens players who could be the X-factors of the qualifiers
We’ve talked a lot about Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ weapons, but who could be the X factor?
Every year, we see unexpected players appear on the Super Bowl teams.
Experts believe the Ravens this year could be Justin Tucker and Yannick Ngakoue.
“The Ravens’ kicker will forever be their secret weapon, or perhaps their most original weapon,” wrote Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. “It’s an incredible end-of-game advantage for the Ravens to know that if they manage to place him 60 meters from the columns, they have a genuine chance of winning. The most recent example came in week 14, when he punched a 55-goal yard field to beat the Browns with 2 seconds remaining. “
Tucker does not go unnoticed because he is widely considered the best kicker in the NFL, but he certainly gives the Ravens an advantage that most teams lack. And most people don’t think of a kicker when talking about bigger guns.
Tucker was almost automatic in the postseason, connecting 11 out of 12 attempts at goal and 25 out of 25 in attempts for extra points.
And yes, he gave a big kick when they matter. During his debut season, Tucker’s 47-yard field goal in the double overtime against the Denver Broncos sent the Ravens into the AFC Championship game. They won the Super Bowl, where Tucker scored two more field goals in the fourth period.
Kicking can decide a game, especially when opponents become more balanced in the postseason.
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon also believes that Ngakoue, a pass rusher the Ravens negotiated for earlier in the season, could make a difference in the playoffs.
“Although the Tennessee pass rush (or lack thereof) is a major problem, the Ravens activated it with 11 sacks in their previous two games before losing their week 17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, “wrote Gagnon.” Yannick Ngakoue was a big factor during that race and is quietly up to eight sacks, four forced fumbles and 10 quarterback hits in a season that saw him jump from two other teams to Baltimore.
“He, Calais Campbell and Matt Judon will be tasked with setting the tone with great plays against an offensive Tennessee line that will have neither of the two starters in the tackle he had when these teams met last January (Jack Conklin is in Cleveland, and Taylor Lewan is on the wounded reserve). “
General manager Eric DeCosta sent a choice in the third round for the Minnesota Vikings to Ngakoue in the hope that this would reinforce the Ravens’ quick pass. Baltimore fired Ryan Tannehill only once during the divisional round loss to Tennessee last season and twice in his fight in this year’s regular season.
Ngakoue has only had three bags since arriving in Baltimore, but has the opportunity to take advantage of the Titans’ tackles. David Quessenberry and Dennis Kelly received Pro Football Focus scores of 61.7 and 65.9 this season.