OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens are coming out of the bye week determined to make a playoff push behind a revamped offense.
Baltimore (4-5) might need to go 5-2 or 6-1 over the final stretch of the season to reach its goal.
The Ravens, though, have a favorable schedule, playing only one team that has a winning record (Pittsburgh). Also, four of Baltimore's final seven games are at M&T Bank Stadium.
As a result, head coach John Harbaugh is confident the Ravens are on track to make a run beginning Sunday against the injury-plagued Green Bay Packers.
Baltimore has lost five of its last seven games, so it definitely needs to build some momentum.
"You have to string together some wins at some point in time," Harbaugh said at his Monday press conference. "That's kind of the difference between making the playoffs or not making the playoffs, winning the division or not."
Baltimore should be healthier when it begins practice this week.
Running backs Danny Woodhead, who injured his hamstring in the season opener, and Terrance West could be back in the lineup.
Tight end Nick Boyle missed the last game against the Titans with a toe injury, but he is also expected to be healthy. Boyle has played a key role with his blocking and has made several key receptions.
"(We) have a chance to be pretty much full steam ahead with the guys who are up and active on the 53 now, the guys who aren't on IR," Harbaugh said. "I'm excited about that. The guys are excited about that."
Quarterback Joe Flacco has caught the brunt of criticism for the team's struggles on offense. Flacco has thrown for 1,551 yards with eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His 72.7 passer rating ranks 31st among all quarterbacks.
However, he is not gotten much help from his receivers and the offensive line, which has been inconsistent because of injuries.
Flacco plans to open up the passing game down the stretch. He said the Ravens need to start games much quicker and to attack teams more aggressively for four quarters.
"We need to go after it," Flacco said. "We can't sit back and just expect us to not lose football games. We got to go attack. We're a 4-5 football team. You always look at teams that are in this position and feel they have nothing to lose -- and we should feel that way. We got to go out there and leave it all out there."
--Even though the Ravens are getting healthier at running back with THE potential return of Danny Woodhead and Terrance West, upstart Alex Collins will likely remain the starter.
Collins has been one of the most explosive players on offense since being signed off the practice squad in late September. He is ranked 10th in the league with 521 yards.
Overall, Baltimore had the league's fourth-best running attack prior to Sunday's games.
"Alex is a good football player," senior offensive assistant/tight ends coach Greg Roman said. "He's a really good talent. I loved him coming out of college; I remember him back at Arkansas. He's a really good football player, really like his spirit, and he runs hard. He's definitely bought into everything we're trying to do."
The Ravens made a roster move because of the number of healthy running backs. Bobby Rainey was waived Monday when the Ravens claimed guard/tackle Andrew Donnal from the Rams.
--The Ravens' offensive line has been a pleasant surprise, considering the number of injuries that unit has endured.
Starting guard Marshal Yanda and Alex Lewis have been lost for the season. Potential starting center John Urschel retired hours before training camp. As a result, the Ravens have shuffled players to fill the void.
Second-year player Matt Skura played well before he also had to battle some injuries. Rookie Jermaine Eluemunor was forced into action and was serviceable. Ronnie Stanley has battled through injuries and is becoming one of the best left tackles in the league. Center Ryan Jensen has played at a high level.
"People attacked them a little bit differently and gave us some problems with the few things they did, so we have to go work on those things," head coach John Harbaugh said.
"It's always kind of a give-and-take to the whole process. All in all, I'm happy with the offensive line; I think they're doing a good job. But, they have to be better for the next seven weeks for us to do the things that we want to do."
NOTES: RB Danny Woodhead (hamstring) is expected to continue practicing this week, but his status for the Nov. 19 game at Green Bay is uncertain. Woodhead was removed from the reserve/injured list and returned to practice two weeks ago. He was injured in the first quarter of the regular-season opener against the Bengals. "I'm feeling good, but understand there's a process," Woodhead said. "I'm taking it day-to-day." ... WR Quincy Adeboyejo, an undrafted rookie, could return to the lineup over the final stretch of the season. Adeboyejo is recovering from a PCL injury he suffered in training camp. However, Adeboyejo has been on the practice squad as opposed to being placed on injured reserve. ... RB Terrance West (calf) could return for the Nov. 19 game at Green Bay. West was injured in Week 5 against Oakland and has not played since. West opened the season as the starter, but Alex Collins has run well in his place. West has 138 yards and two touchdowns on 39 carries. ... TE Nick Boyle (toe) is expected to be fully healthy after the bye week. He suffered the injury during the Ravens' 40-0 win over the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 26. He missed his first game of the season on Nov. 5 against the Titans. Boyle has been a solid blocker for the run game and has 18 receptions for 138 yards on the season. ... LB Tim Williams (thigh) could be back Nov. 19 at Green Bay. He has missed the past five games. Williams, a rookie third-round pick from Alabama, was expected to help boost the Ravens' pass rush this season, but has yet to record a sack. He has three tackles in just 59 snaps this season. ... LT Ronnie Stanley has been battling a shoulder issue for the past two weeks. He left the game in the third quarter against the Titans after aggravating the injury, but was able to return. The bye week is expected to help with the healing process.
REPORT CARD AFTER 9 GAMES
--PASSING OFFENSE: D - The Ravens have struggled to move the ball downfield and have one of the worst passing attacks in the NFL. Quarterback Joe Flacco has thrown for 1,551 yards with eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He has been hampered by injuries to his offensive line and drops by his receivers.
--RUSHING OFFENSE: C - Alex Collins, who was signed off the practice squad in late September, has been the biggest surprise. Collins is ranked in the top 10 in the NFL with 521 yards. Javorius "Buck" Allen has been solid catching the ball out of the backfield. Terrance West, who entered the season as the starter, missed time with a calf injury and will be challenged to win back his job.
--PASS DEFENSE: B - The Ravens' revamped secondary has been one of the highlights of the team. Baltimore has been consistently ranked in the top third of the league against the pass. Brandon Carr, who was acquired as a free agent, and safety Eric Weddle are tied for third in the NFL with three interceptions. Rookie cornerback Marlon Humphrey looks like he could be a long-term answer in the secondary.
--RUSH DEFENSE: C - Baltimore struggled when defensive tackle Brandon Williams missed four games with a foot injury. But when he is healthy, this unit is one of the better ones in the league. The Ravens have also managed to perform without defensive end Brent Urban, who is out for the season with a foot injury.
--SPECIAL TEAMS: C - Kicker Justin Tucker continues to show he is one of the best kickers in the league. Punter Sam Koch had a couple of uncharacteristic gaffes. Coverage has been mostly solid. Returner Michael Campanaro is struggling with injuries again.
--COACHING: C-minus - The Ravens are under pressure to avoid missing the postseason for the third consecutive year. The coaching staff has been hampered by injuries and lack of playmakers on both sides of the ball. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg has been especially under fire for the lack of offensive production. Head coach John Harbaugh has gotten a vote of confidence from ownership, but this team must play better over final stretch of the season or changes still could be made.
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