Ravens report card: The defense and Special Teams 10/27/2014
The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Cincinnati Bengals 27 to 24 Sunday in a game the Ravens could have won. The defense played well at times and at one point caused two straight turnovers. The secondary was the main weakness for the Ravens. For the report card on the offense go here.
Defensive Line: Haloti Ngata is having a great season and he had a sack-fumble that led to a Ravens touchdown. The defensive line played great and only allowed 111 total rushing yards. In big situations the line did get pushed back. Grade B
Linebackers: C.J. Mosley and Daryl Smith both had 13 tackles and were both all over the field. This unit was not the problem for the Ravens as Mosley and Smith played lights out. Terrell Suggs also had a good game with a sack. Grade A
Secondary: The Ravens best player in the secondary, Jimmy Smith went down with a foot injury on the first drive and it was obvious that it effected the Ravens. Dominique Franks was targeted early and often and did not hold up well. Franks was exposed as Andy Dalton torched him. Grade D
Overall: Good defensive effort for the Ravens, the game might have been different if Jimmy Smith played the whole game. Grade B
Special Teams: The return game has not been there for the Ravens but Justin Tucker has been. Tucker was a perfect three for three with a long 53-yard field goal. Tucker helped keep the Ravens in the game. Grade B+
Coaching staff: A tad bit of clock mismanagement and another struggle on the road. The Ravens need to learn how to get up for these big road games and finish the job. Grade B
