The Ravens provided Jackson Ample Time and Space (ATS) on 10 of 34 plays resulting in a pass or sack (29%).  On those 10 ATS plays, he completed 5 for 106 yards (10.6 YPP).  For the season, he’s now had 25 ATS plays for 324 yards (13.0 YPP).  

Summarizing the OL performance:

  • They got the charge on 3.33 of 4 sacks
  • They allowed just 1 other QH
  • They were responsible for an aggregate 12.5 pressures
  • They were not responsible for any runs for loss
  • They were penalized once for holding
  • They connected on 12 of 14 pulls
  • Roman dropped the number of FB/TE/OL6 to 1.75 per play from 1.82 against the Chiefs

There was not much middle ground for the Ravens OL in this game as Jackson had only 5 occasions where the ball was out quickly before pressure could develop.  

Individual Scoring

The Ravens ran 56 scored snaps (excludes accepted penalties which result in no play, kneels, spikes, and special teams plays that result in a run or pass).

Villanueva:  Alejandro spent the game giving ground to the Lions edge rushers.  He allowed 7 full pressures and also had 3 half shares among 34 plays that resulted in a pass or sack.  He was beaten inside by a euro step from Julian Okwara (Q3, 0:56) to flush Jackson for an eventual QH.  He also had a 1/3 share of 2 sacks (Q2, 4:14, beaten around the pocket by Austin Bryant; Q4, 6:16, beaten outside by Harris).  He missed 2 blocks, both of which were losses at the LoS.  He made 2 blocks in level 2, delivered 3 pancakes, and connected his only pull.  Of his 2 highlights, his combination on DE Levi Onwuzurike then LB Alex Anzalone helped lead a 6-yard run by Jackson.  I expect Roman will return to more inline and chipping protection for both him and Mekari.

Scoring:  56 plays, 41 blocks, 2 missed, 8.5 (7 + 3*1/2) pressures, 1 QH, 2/3 (2*1/3) sack, 17 points (.30 per play).  That’s an F.  He was party to 13 pressure event contributions in just 34 pass plays that resulted in a pass or sack.  Fortunately, Lamar Jackson does very well keeping focused when bumped on the blind side, but if Villanueva’s mirror is to be of good use, he needs an extra fraction of a second advantage from a chip block as often as possible. 

Powers:  Ben again split time with Ben Cleveland and had one of his best games as a professional.  I charged him with a share of the pressure (Q4, 8:16) on which he wandered back into Jackson’s throwing cone while trying to help Villanueva.  His only missed block was a loss at the LoS.  He made 3 blocks in level 2 and connected on 4 of 4 pulls.  He did not have a pancake or highlight.

Scoring:  31 plays, 29 blocks, 1 missed, ½ pressure, 28 points (.90 per play).  That’s an A after adjustment.  

Cleveland:  Ben was physical and avoided any negative plays while sharing time with Powers.  Of his 4 missed blocks, 3 were losses at the LoS, including a play where Jackson ran him out of a partial pressure (Q3, 4:07).  He had 1 block in level 2, 2 pancakes, and made 3 of 4 pulls.  To date the Ravens have faced primarily 4-man pressure, which has simplified the jobs of the interior linemen.  This should provide opportunities for frequent help blocks from a guard for 1 tackle.  When that’s on the left side in particular, Cleveland needs to be able to use jarring rib-cage shots to help slow down a pass rusher such as Harris who is having consistent bull rush success.

Scoring: 25 plays, 21 blocks, 4 missed, 21 points (.84 per play).  That’s a B with or without adjustment.  It remains valuable to have a rotation at guard in order to wear down an opposing offense, but the Ravens may decide they need to find a spot for both players if they continue to play as well as they have the last 2 weeks.

Bozeman:  Bradley had the best game of his career.  He was not party to any negative events.  Both of his missed blocks were losses at the LoS.  He had 2 blocks in level 2 and made 2 of 2 pulls.  His 2 highlights included a nice combination on NT Alim McNeill then LB Alex Anzalone in L2 (Q4, 7:43).

Scoring:  56 plays, 54 blocks, 2 missed, 54 points (.96 per play). That’s an A without adjustment.

Zeitler:  Kevin struggled after 2 solid games.  He was party to 2 sacks on the final Ravens drive.  Charles Harris bulled then shed him for a 3-yard sack (Q4, 1:04) on which Mekari also got a 1/3 share (same charge as a pressure).  Just 2 plays later, he and Mekari were unable to negotiate a twist by Julian and Romeo Okwara for which I split the charge evenly.  Kevin’s holding flag wiped out a 9-yard run by Murray (Q3, 14:19).  He was also beaten for 2.5 pressures with the most dramatic coming by pancake from Julian Okwara on the final drive (Q4, 0:40).  Of 4 missed blocks, 3 were losses at the LoS, including a case where Lamar ran him out of pressure on a drive-ending RM2 (Q2, 15:00).  He made 5 blocks in level 2, delivered 2 pancakes, and connected on 2 of 2 pulls.  Among 3 highlights, he had a nice combination on DE Nick Williams then LB Derrick Barnes in level 2.

Scoring:  56 plays, 46 blocks, 4 missed, 2.5 pressures, 1.17 (1/2 + 2/3) sacks, 1 offensive holding, 28 points (.50 per play).  That remains an F after adjustment.  The Ravens rely on Zeitler for their cadence and don’t really have another option if he is unable to turn it around.  As a veteran, I expect he’ll try to see the root cause of the problems then put this game behind him and work hard for the matchup with the Broncos.

Mekari:  Patrick regressed after an outstanding debut at RT.  He had a share of all 4 sacks, each of which involved Romeo Okwara (steamrolled, beaten inside, bulled, failed to negotiate stunt exchange).  He also surrendered another pair of half pressure shares by bull rush to Romeo Okwara.  The pass blocking issues spoiled what was otherwise a solid day of run blocking.  He made 1 block in level 2 and was 0 for 1 on pulls (his only miss).  He did not have a pancake or highlight.   

Okwara was an especially difficult matchup for Mekari given his length (34.125” arms), but the Ravens will face many more pass rushers who will be able to dictate first contact vs Mekari.  Roman will have to scheme him help.

Scoring:  56 plays, 46 blocks, 4 missed, 1 (2 * ½) pressures, 1.5 (3 * 1/3 + ½) sacks, 35 points (.63 per play).  That’s a D with or without adjustment.

Colon:  Trystan made his only block as a sixth offensive lineman.

If you’re interested in seeing scoring trends for the players this season, those charts will be posted in the Gallery section and updated weekly.