Ravens report card: 9/23/2018
The Baltimore Ravens beat the Denver Broncos 27 to 14. The Ravens started off bad but really put things together.
Quarterbacks: Joe Flacco had a really strong game and his quarterback rating does not really show it because the Ravens ran the ball for touchdowns on drives that Flacco did most of the work. Flacco still had a very respectable 91.4 qb rating and a touchdown. Flacco completed 25 out of 44 passes for 277 yards. Flacco was sharp in the rain and did not make many mistakes. Flacco had a run to end the game for a first down that was very impressive. Grade A
Running backs: The running game struggled once again. Buck Allen was more effective in the passing game but had a touchdown rushing and receiving. Alex Collins also had a rushing touchdown and 68 yards rushing. This unit only averaged 2.8 yards per carry which needs to improve. The blame is more the offensive line than the backs. Collins and Allen had talent. Grade B
Receivers: John Brown continues to be one of Flacco’s new favorite targets. Brown had five catches for 86 yards, including a long 44 yards catch. Michael Crabtree had seven catches and just about all of them were on a big third down. Willie Snead also had big plays. Rookie tight end Mark Andrews had two receptions, one of which went for 30 yards. This unit is becoming something special. Grade A
Offensive Line: Pass blocking was good, only allowing two sacks against a team with Von Miller. The offensive line struggled on the run and was the reason the Ravens struggled in the run game. This unit has been weak and needs to improve. Grade C
Overall Offense: The Ravens should had stuck to passing late in the game. The passing attack is working. Grade B+
Defensive line: The Ravens gave up 120 rushing yards but a lot of that came from an Emmanuel Sanders run. The defensive line was missing Michael Pierce and still played well. The Ravens had three sacks and were close to having more. The Ravens defensive line was also held a large number of times which knocked the Broncos back. Grade B
Linebackers: The Ravens were without CJ Mosley but Kenny Young played outstanding, Young lead the Ravens with 10 tackles. Terrell Suggs also played great, Suggs had 1.5 tackles including a strip sack in which should have been the Ravens ball. Suggs was pressuring the Broncos all day long. Patrick Onwuasor had a huge interception which pretty much ended the Broncos comeback chances. Good game by this unit. Grade A
Secondary: The secondary held the Broncos Case Keenum to only 173 passing yards. The Ravens corners all played well nothing too flashy here. Grade B+
Overall Defense: Without several key players the Ravens defense put together a good performance despite struggling early. Grade B
Special Teams: The Broncos blocked a Ravens punt and a Ravens kick which was not good. Justin Tucker had two 52-yard field goals in the rain. The return game needs to get better. Grade C
Coaching staff: The Ravens made sure they won on John Harbaugh’s birthday. Grade A
Final Thoughts: The Ravens will start getting healthy in a couple weeks.
