Twelve Ravens Thoughts following Week 2 loss to Las Vegas
Luke Jones, Baltimore Positive
The Ravens haven’t lost many games overall with a healthy Lamar Jackson, so few would notice if they lost these contests in more conventional ways. But the last three seasons have included nine defeats in which they led by multiple scores or at least owned a fourth-quarter lead. Maddening.
The Baltimore defense tops the NFL against the run, but it ranks last in passing yards allowed and 28th in points allowed. Zach Orr must clean up the issues in the middle intermediate portion of the field, which shouldn’t be so problematic with Roquan Smith, Kyle Hamilton, and Marcus Williams.
A big reason I wasn’t as over the moon about the Derrick Henry signing as others were was the state of the offensive line. The Ravens brass deliberately chose this path, and this group is healthy too. Even buying Roger Rosengarten at right tackle, is there enough hope at guard?
Asked about Ben Cleveland playing, John Harbaugh said Monday that he didn’t beat out Daniel Faalele, whose early struggles are obvious. Perhaps Cleveland would be just as bad, but he worked much more at left guard and center — filling in for the injured Tyler Linderbaum — than right guard all summer.
The struggling offensive line is obviously a major deterrent, but it hasn’t been a particularly good start for Todd Monken, who used very little play-action passing. Though Henry’s false start was inexcusable, calling the “tush push” with Charlie Kolar on third-and-1 felt too cute when you have Henry and Jackson.
Defensive Notes vs Raiders Week 2
Ken McKusick, Filmstudy Baltimore
PASS RUSH
Orr employed a vanilla pass rush with a little more numbers and deception than in week 1 vs KC.
For the game, Minshew had ATS on 15 of 43 drop backs (35%) which is above average. Those plays gained 139 yards (9.3 YPP, 1 TO). However, he also delivered the ball before pressure could develop (BOQ) 13 times (30%) primarily with screens and jet tosses for 61 yards (4.7 YPP). The Ravens generated a pressure event on 15 plays (35%), including 5 sacks for a net of 52 yards (2.3 YPP).
Said otherwise, the Ravens generated “feast-or-famine” pressure with 5 sacks generating solid results but to many ATS opportunities granted for the pressure total (1-to-1 ratio).
Odafe Oweh
Odafe had contributions to 5 tackles, all of which were defensive wins. His primary opponent, Kolton Miller, has been one of the best pass-blocking LTs in the league for several years.
Travis Jones
Travis had contributions to 2 drive-ending plays and continued his role with Madubuike as the primary interior pairing on obvious passing downs. Each of his 3 tackles was a defensive win.
Kyle Van Noy
Kyle came back from the eye-socket injury to post a terrific game. In addition to consistent pressure, he was aware in pass coverage, generated 2 drive-ending plays, and each of his 3 tackles was both a defensive win and TFL.
Ravens’ secondary has been one of worst in NFL, while foolish penalties pile up
Brian Wacker, The Baltimore Sun
Last season when the Ravens became the first team in NFL history to lead the league in sacks, takeaways and points allowed per game, their defensive backfield was at the heart of the success. Baltimore allowed the fourth-lowest completion percentage (60.5), sixth-fewest passing yards per game (191.9) and was tops in the league in fewest yards per pass attempt (4.7). Through the small sample size of two games, those rankings have been effectively the opposite.
Their 257 passing yards allowed per game is the most in the NFL, while a 75.8% completion rate ranks 30th and the 7 yards per pass attempt ranks fifth-most.
“The secondary overall is on track, but we’re not consistent … and it’s not just a secondary, we’re talking about pass defense,” coach John Harbaugh said Monday. “Pass defense is at all three levels.
Sunday, Stephens and fellow cornerback Marlon Humphrey allowed five and six catches on seven and nine targets, respectively, per Pro Football Focus. Safety Kyle Hamilton and inside linebacker Trenton Simpson, meanwhile, allowed seven and six catches on an equal number of targets. And safety Marcus Williams gave up three catches on as many targets.
Ravens Eye View: How Derrick Henry Got Rolling
Ryan Mink, BaltimoreRavens.com
What got Derrick Henry rolling.
Derrick Henry had five rushing yards in the first half and 79 in the second half.
So, what changed? Primarily, Henry and the Ravens found running room to the outside.
Henry took nine outside runs for 62 yards, an average of 6.9 yards per carry. He had eight runs inside for 19 yards, an average of 2.4 yards per carry.
The Ravens have long said that Henry does the most damage when he gets on a track and can build up a head of steam. The question is how well Baltimore can block on the edges.
Ronnie Stanley’s improved health helps significantly and one of rookie Roger Rosengarten’s best traits is his mobility. Tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely have shown to be good perimeter blockers, and Charlie Kolar is working to improve from his in-line position. Fullback Patrick Ricard is, once again, often the spearhead.
NFL Week 3 picks: Cowboys stun Ravens, drop Baltimore to 0-3; Chargers shock Steelers; Saints roll past Eagles
John Breech, CBS Sports
Baltimore (0-2) at Dallas (1-1)
4:25 p.m. ET (Fox)
As for the Cowboys, they got run out of their own stadium in a game where their defense forgot how to play defense. The biggest problem for the Cowboys heading into Week 3 is that they’ve struggled to stop the run. Through two weeks, they’re surrendering an average of 141.5 yards per game on the ground, and now, they have to go up against a Ravens team that LEADS the NFL in rushing (The Ravens are averaging 168 yards per game, which is impressive when you consider that no other team is even averaging 152).
Although the Cowboys can’t stop the run, the Ravens defense is also having its own issues. Through two weeks, the Ravens have given up the MOST passing yards in the NFL. Dak Prescott might throw the ball 71 times on Sunday. I have a feeling he’s really going to be earning his pay check this week.
With both defenses struggling, I think what this means is that we’re going to get a good old-fashioned shootout, and as someone who loves a good old-fashioned anything, I’m fully expecting this to be the most exciting game of the week. I won’t be surprised if this game comes down to a field goal, which means I’m going to take the team with the better kicker, and right now, I think Brandon Aubrey is better than Justin Tucker.
The pick: Cowboys 30-27 over Ravens