Ravens right guard Kevin Zeitler was content with his team’s overall performance in a 19-17 win against the Bengals on Oct. 9, but Zeitler’s homecoming against the New York Giants on Oct. 16 is now in full focus.
The 6-foot-4, 315-pound lineman has been a rock at right guard for the Ravens this season. Zeitler has played every offensive snap, allowing only one sack and committing just one penalty.
Zeitler was happy to get a win against the team that drafted him back in 2012, but the former Bengal could not give credit to any one person in particular.
“I think I just give credit to our team,” Zeitler said on Glenn Clark Radio Oct. 10, the morning after the Ravens’ win. “We have so many different personalities, different types of experienced veterans, young guys, and we’ve been trying to figure it out … but I think we’re improving every week and we’re going to keep getting better.”
Zeitler noted that it was great to have Ronnie Stanley back on the field, even if it was in a limited fashion. Stanley split snaps with Patrick Mekari at left tackle and looked locked in during his snaps. Stanley did not seem to have any trouble with his surgically repaired left ankle that he injured back in 2020 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“It’s great,” Zeitler said of Stanley’s return. “He’s had to overcome so much, having all those surgeries and being able to come back. Just getting back out there is a huge victory in and of itself, and I can’t wait to watch him keep getting better and keep getting acclimated. It’s only going to help us.”
Zeitler also gave praise to the most accurate kicker in NFL history, Justin Tucker. Tucker had an incredible night, finishing 4-for-4 on field goals, including a 58-yarder and the game-winning 43-yard field goal as time expired to seal the Bengals’ fate.
Tucker is proving to be one of the best high-pressure kickers in NFL history. He is 17-for-17 on field goals made in the final minute of the fourth quarter or in overtime in his career.
“I’m not sad that he’s on our team,” Zeitler joked. “Just the way he goes about his business. He wants to be in that situation [and] he wants to put [the team] on his shoulders and I’m willing to let him do that.”
“Everyone loves to see him, no matter what form,” Zeitler added. “[The fans] love to watch greatness happening and Tuck is definitely the epitome of that in the kicker world.”
Zeitler has moved on to Week 6 in the wake of the huge divisional win against the Bengals. The Ravens travel to MetLife Stadium for a second time this season to take on the other New York team, the Giants. The Ravens’ first trip to New Jersey ended with a 24-9 win against the Jets.
Zeitler played for the Giants from 2019-2020 before being released. He is not taking the matchup lightly, especially considering the Giants’ unexpected 4-1 record. Running back Saquon Barkley has re-emerged for the Giants, who also boast a solid defense led by former Ravens defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale.
Barkley is back to his 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year form, with 533 rushing yards, 143 receiving yards and three touchdowns thus far. The Giants are allowing just 18.8 points per game, 10th best in the NFL. New York’s defense is 26th in the league against the run compared to eighth against the pass. The Ravens likely need to run the ball effectively in order to have success against the Giants.
“It’s going to be a real tough battle,” Zeitler said. “I know a bunch of the guys over there. We always knew there was a lot of talent over there and obviously I’m happy for them that they’ve got things turned around up there. It’s going to be a heck of a challenge.”
Zeitler and the Ravens will continue to push to get better with a chance to further separate from the rest of the AFC North. According to Zeitler, the Ravens still have a lot to improve on before their next game.
“[We have] a lot to get better at on all sides of the ball,” Zeitler said. “So it’s on us to come to work every day and keep improving and find ways to keep being creative and new.”
For more from Zeitler, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox