Baltimore will more than likely not upend the Pittsburgh Steelers for the AFC North title this season, but it does have an opportunity to secure one of two wildcard spots for the playoffs.
Ravens’ head coach John Harbaugh saw his team reach .500 in Sunday’s 23-0 victory over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Life without Aaron Rodgers is hard enough; however, without him and having to protect Brett Hundley from C.J. Mosley and others is difficult.
The combination of Mosley and rookie cornerback Marlon Humphrey totaled 11 tackles, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and an interception. Mosley’s seven tackles were good for second on the team, while Humphrey’s pick was one of three for Baltimore’s defense in the matchup.
With the two former University of Alabama stars doing work, the Ravens created six sacks, 11 quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. Along with losing the turnover battles – five to one – Green Bay was held to 265 total yards, 75 rushing yards and four third down conversions.
Baltimore has not made an appearance in the playoffs since 2014, but it currently holds the sixth and final spot of the AFC postseason picture at 5-5. Mosley leads the team in tackles (83) and tackles for loss (eight), to pair beside two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a touchdown.
Humphrey, on the other hand, has 15 tackles with five passes defended and a pick.
Both players were highly-recruited from their respective high schools prior to arriving at Alabama, and both were quality contributors on championship teams. As for Mosley, he earned the Butkus Award, SEC Defensive Player of the Year and consensus All-American in 2013.
He and Humphrey were both first-round picks, and it looks as though the two Crimson Tide alums are focused on getting the Ravens back on the NFL’s primetime stage.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
