The Offensive line had its best game of the Season.  To summarize:

  • They provided the Ravens QBs Ample Time and Space (ATS) on 18 of 27 drop backs (67%), which is by far the best of 2019.  The Texans helped by never rushing more than 5.
  • No offensive lineman was penalized.
  • The only sack was an incorrectly-categorized, read-option run play where the TFL was recorded by a defender designed to be allowed into the backfield.  Lamar pulled the ball, but could not avoid being dropped by LB Brennan Scarlett.
  • There was only 1 QH charged to the offensive line.
  • There was only 1 running play for a loss.

All of this led to an “ABBA” game, meaning everyone graded out as an A or B.

The Ravens ran 61 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 had a fine game and again retired early.  He allowed a pressure on a bull rush by OLB Whitney Mercilus (Q3, 7:39) and another on a spin move by Mercilus (Q3, 3:05).  He did not otherwise have any negative events and missed just 1 block.  He had 1 pancake, but did not have any blocks in level 2.  He was not assigned to pull and I did not score him for a highlight.     

Scoring:  53 plays, 50 blocks, 1 missed, 2 pressures, 46 points (.87 per play).  That’s an A with adjustment.

Bozeman:  After a rocky first 2 drives, Bradley played well and finished with his second-best game of the season.  He was beaten outside for a QH by DE Charles Omenihu (Q1, 10:13).  By the end of the following drive, he had scored just 4 of a possible 12 points, but he had just 2 missed blocks the remainder of the game.  Of his 6 missed blocks, 5 came in level 2.  Bozeman had 5 blocks in level 2, delivered 1 pancake, and connected on 8 of 10 pulls.  His better of 2 highlights came on the Ravens first offensive play (Q1 12:22) when he pulled to drive back, then pancake ILB Zach Cunningham in level 2.

Scoring:  61 plays, 54 blocks, 6 missed, 1 QH, 51 points (.84 per play).  That’s a B with or without adjustment. 

Skura:  Matt had his best raw score of the season.  He was bulled by DT D.J. Reader for pressure on the first play of the second half (Q3, 14:53).  He otherwise missed 4 blocks, all in level 2 (twice shed by Cunningham).  He had 4 blocks in level 2 but was not asked to pull.  His highlight was a combination block on NT Brandon Dunn then ILB Brandon McKinney to lead Ingram’s 11-yard run (Q2, 15:00)

Scoring: 61 plays, 56 blocks, 4 missed, 1 pressure, 54 points (.89 per play).  That’s a B with or without adjustment at center.

Yanda:  Marshal again played well and left the game after 3 quarters.  He whiffed on ILB Brandon McKinney on a pull (Q3, 12:16), which allowed Ingram to be taken down for a loss of 1.  He did not have any other charges and he was shed by D.J. Reader at the LoS for his only miss.  He made 4 blocks in level 2, but did not have a pancake or highlight.  He collected 0 of 3 points on pulls (2 of 3 with a -2 charge for the penetration).

Scoring:  53 plays, 51 blocks, 1 missed, 1 penetration, 49 points (.92 per play). That’s an A prior to adjustment.

Brown:  Orlando backed up his outstanding game against the Bengals with a game without a negative play vs the Texans.  His 4 missed blocks were L2NB, L2NB, missed cut on a run left, and no block on a pull right.  The first 3 of those underscore the difficulty less-mobile tackles have finding a block on the backside of run plays.  He made 4 blocks in level 2 and scored 1 of 2 pulls.  I did not score him for a highlight or solo pancake (he and Yanda helped a Texans DT find the ground together on 1 play).      

Scoring:  61 plays, 57 blocks, 4 missed, 57 points (.93 per play).  That’s an A without adjustment and essentially duplicates the other 3 best games he’s had this season. 

Ivan Evans was outstanding as the guest host on the offense podcast this week.  He always has great insights that come from a coach’s perspective and it’s a pleasure to discuss the game with him.  In the process of talking about Brown’s fine performance, it became clear he’s benefiting as much as any lineman from Lamar Jackson.  Why?  Brown’s weakness is the speed rush and perhaps more accurately stated, the need to give ground in the pocket to make up for his lack of lateral quickness.  However, when the edge defender on his side isn’t green lit and must attempt to control lanes to either side of Brown, that plays directly into Zeus’ greatest strength, his monolithic size and ability to anchor against the bull rush.

Hurst:  James played 1 snap as a 6th offensive lineman then replaced Stanley at LT for the final 8 snaps.  He made 8 of 9 blocks.  On the Ravens last meaningful offensive snap, he had a highlight combination block of DE Omenihu then ILB Peter Kalambayi in level 2.

Mekari:  Patrick made 7 of 8 blocks when he replaced Yanda for the final 2 drives.  He had a highlight combination block on Hill’s 6-yard run (Q4, 2:00).

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