The 2019 Ravens offense has been so unusual and historically successful, meaningful amplifications regarding Lamar Jackson’s offense can seem like hyperbole. Let’s review:

  • The all-time NFL record for rushing yards in a 16-game season is 3,165 by the 1978 Patriots. The Ravens now have 3,246 rushing yards in Lamar Jackson’s first 15 regular season starts.
  • The Ravens offense has manufactured a scoring drive of 9+ minutes to put away each of the last 3 games in the 4th quarter. They also had another 9-minute drive versus Arizona in the third quarter. There have only been 16 drives of 9+ minutes in team history (thanks to @yoshi2052 for researching).
  • The Ravens offense leads the NFL in yards per drive (43.1, Dallas is 2nd at 41.2), points per drive (2.95, Dallas 2.65), plays per drive (7.31, Indianapolis 6.86), Time of Possession per drive (3:37, New Orleans 3:15), and percentage of down series resulting in a first down or TD (79.2%, Dallas 77.5%). That is every positive drive statistic aggregated by Football Outsiders.

The unique abilities of Lamar Jackson are the single most important factor in the Ravens offensive success to date. However, I place Greg Roman’s scheme and the success/cohesion of the offensive line a close 2nd/3rd as contributors.

The Ravens ran 62 scored snaps (excludes accepted penalties which result in no play, kneels, spikes, and special teams plays that result in a run or pass).

Stanley: Ronnie kept Jackson’s blind side clean. He was twice bulled for pressures, once by Winovich (Q1, 2:38) where Lamar bounced the pass of Stanley’s helmet. The second was shared with Bozeman when he was bulled by LB Shilique Calhoun and Jackson threw a pass deflected by DT Adam Butler, Bozeman’s assignment (Q2, 1:56). He did not allow any other pressure events or run penetrations and he was not penalized. He made 1 block in level 2, delivered 2 pancakes, and connected on his only pull. None of his 3 missed blocks was a loss at the LoS. I scored him for a highlight block on Lamar’s fire-drill scramble (Q3, 4:30) because he made multiple blocks on LB Ja’Whaun Bentley and DT Lawrence Guy near the left sideline to help Jackson extend the play. Getting a shot on 2 defenders on the same play (by means other than a simple combination block) is becoming a regular event for Ronnie.

Scoring: 62 plays, 57 blocks, 3 missed, 1.5 pressures, 54 points (.87 per play). That’s an A with an adjustment.

Bozeman: Bradley regressed from his fine performance against the Seahawks. He surrendered portions of 5 pressure events (3 full pressures) and shared a penetration on a run loss. He was twice bulled by Butler (Q1, 6:27; Q2, 3:36) and was beaten outside by LB Calhoun for a full charge as well (Q2, 12:12). He missed 4 blocks, of which 3 were missed pulls and the 4th was a failure to find a block in level 2 (L2NB). Bozeman had 5 blocks in level 2, delivered 4 pancakes, and made 7 of 10 pulls. His highlight was a combination to tee up Shelton for Skura then block LB Elandon Roberts in level 2 to lead Ingram’s 14-yard run (Q1, 7:49).

Scoring: 62 plays, 52 blocks, 4 missed, ½ penetration, 3.5 pressures, 1/3 QH, 43 points (.69 per play). That’s a D with or without adjustment. Bozeman’s mobility has been an asset to the power run game, but he remains the weakest link among the starters as a pass blocker.

Skura: Matt had a plus game that continued a consistent season. He was beaten left by Winovich’s stunt (Q3, 7:16) on the 18-yard pass to Andrews. He otherwise shared a penetration with Bozeman when neither was able to impede Hightower (Q2, 2:20) and shared a pressure with Bradley on an A-gap stunt by Hightower (Q1, 13:47). He had 6 blocks in level 2 and 1 pancake. He was not assigned to pull. I scored 2 of his blocks as highlights, both combinations (Q1, 13:05 and Q4, 4:01).

Scoring: 62 plays, 56 blocks, 3 missed, 1/2 penetration, 1 pressure, 1/3 QH, 52 points (.84 per play). That’s a B with adjustment at center. His unadjusted scores have all been between .74 and .85 this season, so he’s avoided any extreme grades which is unusual for a center. It will be interesting to see how the Ravens approach an extension for Skura this offseason. Entering his RFA year, Matt stands to make a little over $3 million if tendered. However, his may be a case where the Ravens can afford to risk a moderately-priced, multi-year contract where Skura accepts a little less to avoid the risk of playing for his NFL career in 2020. Because the franchise tag cost would be a nonstarter for the Ravens, there can be more team incentive to sign a solid starter a year early.

Yanda: Uncharacteristically, Marshal had 3 negative plays versus the Patriots. I charged him with half of the only sack (Q1, 3:24) when Lawrence Guy bulled him too deep into the pocket then was able to shed Yanda to take down Jackson when he stepped up. He was bulled by Guy for another full pressure (Q1, 7:09) and allowed a penetration when he failed to peel off his double team to pick up the blitzing Bentley (Q4, 12:47). Neither of his 2 missed blocks was a loss at the LoS. He made 2 blocks in level 2, delivered 1 pancake, and connected on 1 of 2 pulls. He maintained his position and pushed the massive NT Danny Shelton 5+ yards in level 2 to help lead Ingrams’s 53-yard run (Q2, 15:00).

Scoring: 62 plays, 57 blocks, 2 missed, 1 penetration, 1 pressure, ½ sack, 50 points (.81 per play). That’s a B with adjustment.

Brown: Zeus turned in another solid performance. He was beaten outside by Guy for a penetration that resulted in Edwards’ 1-yard loss (Q1, 9:19). He was beaten inside by Guy for a full QH (Q4, 15:00). Otherwise he had a 1/3 share of a QH and a shared pressure. His only missed block was L2NB (low cost). He made 5 blocks in level 2 and had 1 pancake. He did not have a pulling assignment and I did not score him for a highlight.

Scoring: 62 plays, 57 blocks, 1 missed, 1 penetration, ½ pressure, 1.33 QH, 50 points (.81 per play). That’s a B+ with adjustment.

Hurst: James made his only block as a 6th offensive lineman on the Ravens last touchdown (Q4, 3:19).

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