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Ravens are the most consistent team in the NFL, according to this stat

By Ryan Wormeli

Ravens are most consistent team in NFL, according to this stat originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

There has been a lot of hand-wringing by Ravens fans in the early weeks of the 2020 NFL season about how the offense has regressed from its record-setting pace in 2019.

Some of it is justified, as the offense does look more out of sorts than last season, and the numbers back that up. But the offense was never going to perfectly match 2019’s output.

Despite the erratic start on the surface, one number does stand out to show how consistent the team has actually been through Week 5.

According to the Ravens themselves, Baltimore is the only team in the NFL to score in every quarter this season. Some of that includes defensive touchdowns and field goals, so it’s not as if the offense is firing on all cylinders. In fact, the Ravens lead the NFL in defensive scores since Don “Wink” Martindale took over as coordinator in 2018, with 11.

Still, for a team that is far off the offensive pace of some other teams so far, it’s impressive to see that none of them have matched the Ravens’ ability to keep putting points on the board, even when not at their best.

Even while working to develop their passing game, the Ravens have also stayed consistent to their identity. They’ve scored at least 20 points while rushing for at least 100 yards in 28 straight games — since the game before Lamar Jackson’s first start. This active streak has already shattered the NFL record, which was previously 15 games.

Whether the points have come on the ground, from their expanding passing game or with the defense on the field, the Ravens have managed to keep putting them on the board in all 20 quarters they’ve played this season.

It’s something no other NFL team can claim this season, and it’s one more reason why they deserve to be at or near the top of most power rankings despite a slower start than some expected from the reigning NFL MVP.

The Ravens will look to continue this impressive streak Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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