Huntley Bails out Ravens with Late Drive

The combination of injuries to Jackson, Stanley, and Mekari wreaked havoc on the Ravens available playbook which led to a sputtering offensive performance.

The Broncos did not use extreme numbers because they were not required.  Lamar had only 6 drop backs resulting in a pass or sack for 1 net yard prior to departing.  Huntley was far from stellar, grinding out 5.5 YPP through the air with an INT.  And Proche threw an INT on his only attempt.  Was protection afforded by the OL the issue?  Let’s review:  

The Ravens were afforded ample time and space (ATS) on 8 of 41 (20%) drop backs resulting in a pass/sack.  With ATS, the Ravens combined for 6 of 8 for 48 yards (6.0 YPP, 2 INTs).

The Ravens delivered the ball before pressure could develop (BOQ) 14 times (34%) with 13 complete for 65 yards (4.6 YPP).  The Ravens were pressured 18 times (44%), on which 11 of 14 passes were completed for 69 net yards (4.9 YPP, 4 sacks).

By number of pass rushers:

3: none

4: 26 plays, 121 net yards, 4.7 YPP, 3 sacks, 1 INT

5: 13 plays, 59 net yards, 4.5 YPP, 1 sack, 1 INT

6+: 1 play, 2 yards

Huntley’s late drive allows some Ravens fans to cling to hope with 4 division games looming over the final 5 weeks and Lamar’s return uncertain.  However, it looks like the defense is going to have to lead the way if the Ravens are to make the playoffs.

OL Scoring

The Ravens ran 68 scored snaps (excludes accepted penalties which result in no play, kneels, spikes, and special teams plays that result in a run or pass).

Mekari:  Patrick alternated with Faalele before leaving with a foot injury that may have been affecting his play.  He was party to 4 pressure events (bulled by OLB Martin, half, Q2, 15:00; beaten outside by OLB Browning, half, Q2, 7:27; beaten outside by OLB Browning, half, Q2, 0:37; bulled by OLB Cooper, full, Q3, 1:49).  Of his 7 missed blocks, 6 were losses at the LoS.  He scored on all 3 pulls (including 1 courtesy as trailer). He did not have a block in level 2, a pancake, or highlight. 

Scoring:  37 plays, 26 blocks, 7 missed, 2.5 (1 + 3 x ½) pressures, 21 points (.57 per play).  That’s a D after adjustment.

Faalele:  Daniel struggled mightily trying to shut down speed rushers.  He was party to 3 sacks (he gave up on block of DL Williams for S-4, full, Q1, 4:28; beaten outside by OLB Browning for S-6, full, Q4, 8:33; beaten outside by OLB Martin to flush Huntley for S0 shared with Zeitler, 2/3, Q4, 3:04).  In the span of 4 plays on the Ravens game-winning drive, he allowed ½ pressure, was illegally downfield, and allowed 2/3 of a sack.  Of his 7 missed blocks, 6 were losses at the LoS.  He connected on both his pulls. He made 1 blocks in level 2 and had 1 pancake.  He did not have a highlight.

Scoring:  32 plays, 21 blocks, 7 missed, 1/2 pressure, 2.67 sacks, 1 illegal downfield, 1 point (.03 per play).  That’s an F.

Powers:  Ben had an outstanding pass-blocking game. Ben did not have a negative score as a pass or run blocker.  He had 5 missed blocks, of which 2 were losses at the LoS.  Despite ponderous movements while doing so, he still managed to connect on 5 of 7 pulls.  He had 1 block in level 2 and 3 pancakes but did not have a highlight.  

Scoring:  68 plays, 63 blocks, 5 missed, 63 points (.93 per play).  That’s an A with or without adjustment.

Linderbaum:  Tyler had his second consecutive fine game.  His only negative event was a shared pressure with Edwards when shed by DT Jones (Q3, 3:53). He was saved 1 pressure when Huntley ran out of it (Q4, 7:53).  Of his 6 missed blocks 5 were losses at the LoS, including 2 failed stunt pickups.  He succeeded on 2 of 3 pulls, had 1 block in level 2, and 1 pancake.  He did not have a highlight. 

Scoring: 68 plays, 61 blocks, 6 missed, 1/2 pressure, 60 points (.88 per play).  That’s a B with adjustment.

Zeitler:  Kevin struggled for the second consecutive week but finished with one of the blocking highlights of the season.  He was party to 3 pass-blocking events, (beaten outside by DE Jones, half pressure, Q2, 7:27; pancaked Jones at feet of Huntley, half pressure, Q2, 0:25; beaten outside by Jones to help flush Huntley, 1/3 sack, Q4, 3:04).  Of his 8 missed blocks only 4 were losses at the LoS.  He connected on all 6 of his pulls and made 1 block in level 2.  He delivered two pancakes.  On the Ravens only touchdown, he blocked right then left, then pushed Huntley into the endzone for the game-winning score.

Scoring:  68 plays, 56 blocks, 8 missed, 1 (2 x ½) pressure, 1/3 sack, 1 holding, 46 points (.68 per play). That’s a D with or withoutadjustment.

Moses:  Morgan struggled regularly with the bullrush from the Broncos OLB core.  His 7 pressure contributions included:

  • (Q1, 3:07):  failed to pickup blitz CB Bassey, full
  • (Q2, 15:00):  bulled by OLB Browning, half
  • (Q2, 0:37):  bulled by OLB Martin, half
  • (Q2, 0:31):  bulled by OLB Cooper, full
  • (Q2, 0:25):  bulled by OLB Cooper, half
  • (Q4, 3:46):  gave ground to OLB Cooper, half
  • (Q4, 1:56):  bulled by OLB Cooper, full

Of his 11 missed blocks 8 were losses at the LoS.  He had 4 blocks in level 2.  He connected on 1 of 2 pulls (courtesy point as trailer) and did not have a pancake.  His highlight was slowing the progress of 2 pass rushers after Linderbaum failed to pick up his stunt handoff (Q1, 0:14). 

Scoring:  68 plays, 50 blocks, 11 missed, 5 (3 + 4 x ½) pressures, 40 points (.59 per play).  That’s a D with adjustment.