No Simple Answer

Lamar Jackson had ATS on 14 plays resulting in a pass or sack (32%).  That’s a solid total when facing the Steelers pass rush talent and scheme.

After averaging just 1.7 YPP with 3 INTs with a 3-second pocket vs the Browns, Lamar improved to 6.1 YPP, which is still quite poor with ATS.  Worse, when he had anything but ATS, Lamar averaged 4.5 Y{PP (134 yards on 30 plays), which is also below average.

When looking at the results, the one thing I can say with certainty is that there is no simple fix for what’s wrong with the Ravens passing offense.  Let’s review:

  • It’s not just “blitzing” or “cover-0”, because Lamar has underperformed over the last month both with and without ATS
  • By the same reasoning, It’s not just the Ravens atrocious OT situation, because of Lamar’s situational underperformance
  • Opponents don’t respect the Ravens run game, and why should they when the RYOE for the 2 primary backs are 4th and 13th worse in the entire NFL
  • The fact opponents don’t respect the run means Lamar becomes more of the focus personally and hads minimized his ability both to make big plays in the run game and open up more easy throws

This offseason I expect Roman to engineer more offensive scheme specifically to generate good looks when the opposition both shows and brings the blitz.  In addition, Lamar will probably work hard with his guru on keys and mechanics to read defenses and deliver the ball effectively.  Finally, the Ravens should have some good personnel news by the beginning of next season, both at OT and RB.

Until then, the Ravens are squarely in the Winter of our discontent.  

Individual Scoring

The Ravens ran 69 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 had his second worst game of the season.  He was party to 3 sacks (Q4, 1:21, bulled by OLB Ales Highsmith to flush Jackson left, full charge; Q1, 10:28, bulled by OLB Derrek Tuszka, half charge with Jackson who held the ball too long; Q1, 1:56, bulled by Highsmith, ¼ charge).  He was party to 6 pressures all at the hands of Highsmith (4 full plus 2 x ½).  He was flagged for offensive holding twice, the first of which was questionable. On the second, he surrendered the sack anyway.  He missed 5 blocks, all of which were losses at the LoS (3 to Highsmith spin).  He made 2 blocks in level 2 and delivered 4 pancakes.  He connected on both of his pulls.  He did not have a highlight.

Scoring:  69 plays, 55 blocks, 5 missed, 5 (4 + 2 x 1/2) pressures, 1.75 (1 + ½ + ¼) sacks, 1 (surrendered a sack on the other) offensive holding, 28.5 points (.41 per play).  That’s an F after a healthy adjustment for Highsmith.

Powers:  Ben played another solid game with his primary responsibility being DE Cameron Heyward.  He was a step too slow pulling to impede OLB TJ Watt from delivering a QH (Q2, 6:16). He surrendered 3 full pressures (all to Heyward, Q1, 12:01; Q1, 6:16 and Q4, 13:14).  His false start did not stall the Ravens first touchdown drive.  He missed 5 blocks of which 2 were losses at or behind the LoS. He made 2 blocks in L2 and delivered 3 pancakes.  He scored only 4 points on 10 pulls. His highlight was a pull to block Watt then OLB Tuszka in L2, (Q2, 13:27).

Scoring: 69 plays, 60 blocks, 5 missed, 3 pressures, 1 QH, 1 false start, 48 points (.70 per play).  That’s a C- after adjustment. 

Bozeman:  Bradley graded the highest of the offensive lineman.  He surrendered a ½ pressure when shed by NT Montravius Adams who knocked down Lamar’s pass (Q1, 11:17).  That was his only negative score.  He missed 2 blocks, 1 of which was a loss at the LoS.  He made 3 blocks in level 2 and delivered 1 pancake.  His highlight was a pass block where he moved left a gap to block OLB Highsmith (Q2, 3:10). 

Scoring:  69 plays, 66 blocks, 2 missed, 1/2 pressure, 65 points (.94 per play).  That’s an A even before adjustment

I did not attempt to grade Bozeman for snap quality.

Zeitler:  Kevin fell out of the A/B range for the first time since week 3 in Detroit.  He was responsible for ¼ sack (Q1, 1:56).  He was party to 3 pressures (Q1, 11:17, beaten inside by NT Adams, ½ charge; Q3, 11:18, bulled by DT Chris Wormley; Q4, 1:12, bulled by Wormley).  He also surrendered 1.5 penetrations.  He missed 3 blocks, all of which were losses at the LoS.  He made 2 blocks in level 2 block but did not have a pancake or highlight. He had 2 points on 4 pulls. 

Scoring:  69 plays, 60 blocks, 3 missed, 1.5 penetrations, 2.5 pressures, 1/4 sack, 50.5 points (.73 per play).  That’s a C- after adjustment.

Mekari:  Patrick fought hard against Watt before leaving with a hand injury.  He surrendered parts of 2 sacks (Q1, 1:56, slipped trying to block Watt, ¼ share; Q2, 2:25, bulled by DE Henry Mondeaux, ½ share).  He also surrendered 2 half pressures to Watt.  He missed 2 blocks, one of which was a loss at the LoS.  He made 1 block in level 2 and delivered 1 pancake. He did not attempt to pull and did not have a highlight.

Scoring: 37 plays, 31 blocks, 2 missed, 1 (2 x ½) pressures, 0.75 (1/2 + ¼) sack, 24.5 points (.66 per play).  That’s a C after adjustment.

Phillips:  Tyre replaced Mekari at RT and had a difficult game vs. Watt.  He surrendered 2 full sacks (Q3, 1:43, beaten inside by Watt to flush Jackson right; Q4, 7:14, bulled then shed inside by Watt). He also gave up a QH to Watt on his first play (Q2, 9:18, beaten outside) and a pressure (Q4, 0:49, bulled then beaten outside by Watt).  He missed 2 blocks, 1 of which was a loss at the LoS.  He made 1 block in level 2 but did not deliver a pancake. He missed on his only pull.  He had 2 highlight combination blocks (Q3, 2:22 and Q4, 13:52).

Scoring: 32 plays, 26 blocks, 2 missed, 1 pressure, 1 QH, 2 sacks, 9 points (.28 per play).  That’s an F after a near-max adjustment for Watt.

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.