What’s Missing from the Pass Rush?

The Ravens pass rush hasn’t looked good for the last 6 quarters.  Let’s review:

  • Travis Jones was hurt in the Bucs game
  • Michael Pierce exited after 13 snaps vs the Browns
  • Brent Urban played just 1 snap vs the Browns before suffering a concussion
  • Orr used very little in the way of either numbers (7/38 rushes with 5+)
  • Orr also eschewed deception with only 8 blitzes, 2 stunts and 4 simulated pressures sprinkled among 38 plays resulting in a pass or sack
  • The Ravens failed to contain Nix either behind the LoS or as a scrambler (6 rushes for 36 yards)
  • Nix’s TTT of 3.52 was 2nd highest in NFL this week (Stroud was 1st at 3.63 despite 8 sacks)
  • All 4 of the Ravens sacks and both of the Ravens QHs that were not sacks came well after 3 seconds
  • Over the last 6 quarters, the Ravens have allowed  staggering 52% ATS rate (33/63)
  • By comparison, the 2023 Ravens allowed a 26% ATS rate for the entire regular season

Why did this game play out as it did?

  • The importance of Jones and Pierce from IDL is difficult to overstate.  Each is needed for pocket compression and to command double teams that allow the rest of the line much easier 1-on-1 matchups.  As I scored it, Madubuike flushed Nix for a run once, but has not otherwise had a pressure event since Pierce was injured (in the last 6 quarters).
  • I thought Orr would embrace defensive variance in this game with more blitzing and taking chances to pressure Nix into some unforced errors.  That’s the way it started with 4 off-ball blitzes on the first 10 pass plays, but Nix committed enough unforced errors that Orr did not need to keep scheming for pressure.
  • Tupou and Wormley did more than what can reasonably be expected from a pair of practice squad elevations.  They combined for 57 snaps, 5 tackles, 1 pressure (Wormley, Q4, 9:11), and provided some much-needed relief for the tandem of Washington and Madubuike.
  • Whether you believe the problems with the pass rush are a matter of talent or scheme, the Broncos pass results (5.2 YPP) reflect well on the back 7.

Extended Treatment

Kyle Hamilton

  • (Q1, 1:46): He blitzed unblocked off OLS, leapt for PD of WR screen, but was unable to collect INT
  • (Q1, 0:02): On 3rd/9, he pushed RB McLaughlin OOB PR5 (-5 + 10) [5] to bring up 4th/4
  • (Q2, 3:37): On 3rd/10, Nix completed PL33 (26 + 7) [1] with Hamilton/Simpson under and Stephens over in zone
  • (Q2, 2:00): He tripped up WR Mims screen PR4 (-2 + 6) [4] assisted by B. Washington
  • (Q2, 1:14): On 2nd/7, he tackled FB Burton RM0, working off inside penetration from Van Noy vs. 6th OL Peart
  • (Q2, 1:10): He drew OH on LT Bolles to negate RL9 TD
  • (Q3, 1:15): He came up quickly to undercut RB McLaughlin PR-1 (-2 + 1) [5]
  • (Q4, 12:44): He made a quick tackle of WR Vele PR6 (5 + 1) [5] but was flagged for FM
  • (Q4, 12:14): He and Stephens had tight bracket of WR Franklin 23 yards [1], INC but negated by phantom IC Humphrey

Kyle led the Ravens with 10 tackles.  He continues to have a combination of pass rush, tackling, and coverage highlights every week.

Tavius Robinson

  • (Q1, 1:11): He touched down Nix for S0 as he slid after leaving clean pocket
  • (Q2, 7:58): He assisted Simpson on tackle of FB Burton RR-1
  • (Q2, 7:32): He stepped over cut block from RB McLaughlin to deliver late QH as Oweh compressed from OLS to force throw away
  • (Q3, 8:15): On 3rd/2, he disengaged from RT McGlinchey for late S-9
  • (Q4, 12:18): He hit TE Krull 4 yards [2] to dislodge for PD
  • (Q4, 10:59): On 3rd/5, he chased down Nix for hard, late QH as he threw PR18 to WR Sutton

Tavius played 32 snaps and helped solve the IDL shortage by kicking inside for 9 rush nickel snaps.  Despite 2 QHs and 2 sacks, he did not have a single pass rush event within 3 seconds.  Nonetheless, he’s having a fine season and has become one of the most important Ravens defenders as they work through their current set of injuries.

Trenton Simpson

  • (Q1, 8:57): He was blocked by LG Powers in L2 as part of RB Williams RM6
  • (Q1, 7:23): He made quick tackle of WR Humphrey PM6 (4 + 2) [4]
  • (Q1, 1:43): He failed to cover RB Williams on PM34 (10 + 24) [3]
  • (Q1, 0:44): He appeared held by C Forsyth in L2 but beat block to assist Van Noy on tackle of Williams RM1
  • (Q2, 9:19): He got outside block of Bolles on Wormley to tackle McLaughlin RL1
  • (Q2, 7:58): He penetrated unblocked off OLS to tackle FB Burton RR-1 with assist Robinson
  • (Q2, 3:47): He hit WR Vele 7 yards [1] to dislodge ball for PD
  • (Q2, 3:37): He and Hamilton were underneath on PL33 (26 + 7) [1] to WR Sutton
  • (Q4, 12:09): He made a quick tackle of Sutton PR0 (0 + 0) [5]
  • (Q4, 9:03): On 3rd/Goal from 1, he rushed as Nix broke pocket and twisted him down for late S-13

The significant coverage error which left Williams all alone in the middle of the field brought back memories of Patrick Queen.  However, Simpson had a fine game otherwise with more sure tackling, block shedding, and a highlight-reel sack.

As an aside, I believe there is greater than a 50% chance that Queen will again be a free agent come this offseason because the Steelers save almost $10M of cap by doing so and he’s played poorly.  Every time I see comments about who lost more from the breakup of Batman (Roqaun Smith) and Robin (Queen) I ask why is no one comparing Queen to Simpson?

Simpson has dramatically outplayed Queen this season with the top-line figure being his 5.8% MT rate as compared to Queen’s 16.9%.  The ratio of stops to MTs is a metric I liken to K/BB rate for a pitcher.  For 2024, Queen’s ratio is 10/11 or 0.91.  Patrick’s career ratio is 1.98 (194/98).  By comparison, Simpson 2024 ratio is 19/3 (6.33) and career is 22/4 (5.5).

Ar’Darius Washington

  • (Q1, 14:35): He collected tipped ball by WR Humphrey for INT
  • (Q1, 8:34): He cleaned up MT by Stephens on Sutton PL26 (22 + 4) [1]
  • (Q4, 3:29): He stripped Sutton 8 yards [2] for PD
  • (Q4, 3:25): He was blocked by FB Burton as part of RB Estime RM21
  • (Q3, 2:00): On 4th/10, he assisted on tackle of Sutton PR9 at 1-yard line to end drive

We saw some highlight play from both deep safeties (and Hamilton) in this game, which was a cold drink after a hot day.  Washington did not allow a reception and made a play on the ball each time he was targeted.  He also made one of the big effort tackles of the game to keep Sutton out of the end zone on the Broncos final offensive play.

I expect we’ll see more of him on the back end in the coming weeks.

Defensive MVPs

  1. Kyle Hamilton
  2. Tavius Robinson
  3. Trenton Simpson

Honorable mention to Ar’Darius Washington, Nate Wiggins