Ravens First Quarter Feedback: Causes for Concern, Signs of Hope.
I regret to inform you that the NFL season is a quarter of the way over. I too regret to inform you that after the first quarter of the NFL season, the Ravens sit at a mediocre 2-2.
Through the first 4 weeks, we have seen this Ravens team at their highest and hopefully their lowest. After an inspiring Week 1 victory in which we appeared to put the league on notice, we’ve regressed into dangerous territory. Nobody has pushed the panic button yet—and nobody should—but everyone in the room is nervously staring at it.
Now, I’m no expert but I do not think those numbers are very good.
Over the past 2 weeks, and even going back 3 weeks against the Cardinals, this defense has simply been exposed. I would like to very quickly put an asterisk next to the Chiefs game because Patrick Mahomes is simply not fair.
However, we’ve now let an inexperienced rookie, Kyler Murray, sling it for 349 yards and Baker Mayfield—who completes less than 60% of his passes and throws more INTs than TDs—throw for 342 yards against our defense in back-to-back home games.
Word within the organization is that this can be chalked up to miscommunication, and that it can be fixed. Tony Jefferson put it best by calling it disgusting.
Speaking of disgusting, check out his pursuit angle on Chubb’s 88-yard game sealing TD:
You can also watch NextGenStats version of the play:
In addition to Jefferson’s poor angle, it’s also clear that both Patrick Onwuasor (48) and Tyus Bowser (54) over commit to the outside and take themselves out of the play. One of many examples of bad linebacker play over the past couple weeks.
Another good one is the touchdown from the Browns ridiculously named tight end Ricky Seals-Jones who ate our defense up Sunday:
It isn’t all bad, though.
At the quarter mark, the Baltimore Ravens offense leads the league in total yards per game, rushing yards per game, and are tied only with the Chiefs in scoring. Yes, the day we dreamed would never come is here. We are the league’s best offense. For now.
Many are criticizing Lamar Jackson stating that he has “come back down to earth” and that his accuracy is still not there. Let’s take a closer look at his performance Sunday and put an end to this.
Jackson’s stat line from Sunday reads 24-34 for 247 yards and 3 touchdowns. Those 10 incompletions round out to a 70.6 completion %. Folks, if this is down to earth, I hope he stays here.
Of those 10 incompletions: 1 was a Mark Andrews drop, 1 was Chris Moore with absolutely no sideline awareness, 1 was an interception where he was hit as he threw, and his second interception was his worst decision of the day on a deep ball to Mark Andrews late in the game. And there also was that 4th down miscommunication, but those kinds of things happen.
Lamar has far exceeded expectations and has been instrumental in propelling this offense to the next level. Lamar’s 1110 passing yards nearly match his total from 7 games last year, his 10 touchdowns nearly double his total from last year, and his 64.9 completion % is 6.7 points higher than last year.
Better than Baker Mayfield can say.
If there is anywhere to point a finger on the offense, it is not at our QB. Perhaps you could look at the offensive line that’s allowed 9 sacks over the past three weeks, 7 of those coming in the past two.
Even there, it’s not all bad.
While we’re on the topic of standouts, don’t think I forgot about Marlon Humphrey.
In 3 seasons, Humphrey has put himself in top-5 talks and has solidified his reputation as a lock down corner.
Before Sunday, there had only been 3 instances where Odell Beckham was held to less than 4 catches. His 2 catches for 20 yards are both career lows.
Two more division rivals kick off quarter 2 of the season, both of those being winnable games. It’s quite possible that after these games, the Ravens will be 4-2 and all of these concerns will be in the rear view.
The Ravens then begin midterms facing the Seahawks and Patriots with a bye week in between.
Offensively, we’ll have to see more big performances from rising star Mark Andrews down the stretch. And we’re going to have to find ways to get the ball back into Hollywood’s hands. Above all, they’ll have to stop trying too hard to be different and just play their game.
Oh, and LEAN ON THE RUN GAME.
Heading into a match up against the Steelers—who just had Mason Rudolph throw 300 dump-offs to his running backs—the level linebacker play, communication, and tackling concerns me. And it should concern you too.
The defensive struggles will be make or break for this team in the coming weeks.
Luckily, miscommunication can be straightened out and they’re already being proactive in fixing their linebacker issues:
The Ravens barely squeaked by in the first quarter, so it will be interesting see how they bounce back from a string of rough games. But if there’s one thing I know, this team plays best when people doubt them.
