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It's kind of tough to gauge yesterday's performance by the Ravens in their win over the Panthers.
The Ravens ended up winning by 24 points, had 300 yards passing from Joe Flacco, and got two huge plays from their defense when it mattered most.
But beyond that, despite the 37-13 final score, the Ravens didn't play an especially solid game against a Carolina team that is now 1-9.
Baltimore fumbled the ball away twice, once deep in Panthers' territory, taking points off the board and keeping Carolina in the game.
They managed to score just one touchdown in four trips inside the red zone against the NFL's worst scoring defense.
They went only 2-of-18 on third downs, and struggled to put the game away in the second half, putting up just 120 yards after halftime and being forced to punt on five of their last six possessions.
Defensively, the Ravens allowed 120 rushing yards (on 5.5 yards per carry) to a third-string running back making his second career NFL start, gave up an 88-yard touchdown pass from a previously out of work quarterback to a rookie sixth-round wide receiver, and allowed Carolina to creep back into a game in which they had no business being a part of.
Yesterday's game was yet another example of the fact that this year's Ravens appear to play to the level of their competition, regardless of record.
You have a 0.111 winning percentage or are still searching for your first victory of the season? OK, we'll keep this thing close, maybe take it into overtime, and give your fans a reason for optimism.
You're one of the best teams in the league and are playing at home? OK, we'll give you a run for your money and give everyone reason to keep us in the discussion as a Super Bowl contender.
It's a frustrating trend for Ravens fans, who are waiting for their team to blow out the NFL's cellar-dwellers and play at the same level regardless of their opponent.
Flacco and the offense have had periods, like in the first half yesterday, where they've looked like they can't be stopped. But they have yet to carry that play over a 60-minute span, even against the weaker teams in the league.
The defense has had moments of dominance, but is still prone to giving up big plays, and needs to work on its killer instinct.
The important thing is that the Ravens got the win on the road yesterday, which is never an easy task in the NFL, and improved to 7-3.
They still have the top spot in the AFC North, and with four of their last six games at home, appear to be in good shape to establish a solid playoff position.
But 10 games into the season, it's clear that the Ravens still have some holes. Head coach John Harbaugh admitted as much in his postgame press conference with reporters in Carolina, when he said that his team still has "plenty of things to work on."
The wins are there, but through 10 games, the Ravens are still searching for that complete performance. Until they get it, there will still be questions about how far this team can go.
