Sacrificing Receivers
The Bengals rushed 5+ on 10 of 36 plays (28%) resulting in a pass or sack while Lamar Jackson was in the game.
Jackson had ample time and space (ATS) on 12 of 36 drop backs (33%), a fairly typical rate. When Jackson had ATS, he was 7/10 for 154 net yards, 12.8 YPP, including 2 sacks for -7. That’s great, but without ATS, he was also 8/21 for 85 net yards, 3.5 YPP, including 3 sacks for -11.
The Ravens again used eligible receivers to help their tackles. Despite a Bengals rush that was lean on numbers, they used 25 Set blockers and 13 chip blockers (1.06 per play), their highest rate of the season. With an overall 6.6 YPP, it’s fair to say the Bengals were efficient in terms of their coverage/rush scheme.
Individual Scoring
The Ravens ran 71 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 a difficult game vs. DE Trey Hendrickson. He surrendered parts of 5 pressures, 4 to Hendrickson (Q1, 10:47; Q1, 4:23; Q4, 11:43 half; Q4, 8:03 half) and 1 to DE Wyatt Ray (Q4, 3:32). He received a 2/3 charge of the QH by DT B.J. Hill when bulled by DE Ray for the initial pressure. He held Hendrickson to negate Jackson’s 39-yard run (Q4, 12:51) the play on which Hendrickson had an unflagged taunt. He missed 10 blocks, 8 of which were losses at the LoS. He made 2 blocks in level 2 and had no pancakes. He pulled twice as part of counters and received a point as the trailing lineman without making a block. I did not record a highlight.
Scoring: 71 plays, 55 blocks, 10 missed, 4 (3 + 2 x 1/2) pressures, 2/3 QH, 1 offensive holding, 39 points (.55 per play). That’s a D after adjustment.
Powers: Ben continued his consistent play but had a difficult day of pulling. He surrendered a pressure by wandering back into the passing cone after pulling (Q3, 11:01). He had 3 other half pressures and ½ penetration shared with Zeitler (Q2, 14:56). Among 6 missed blocks none of which were losses at the LoS (all were L2NB, PNB, or slip entering L2). He collected 6 of a possible 15 points on pulls, did not make any blocks in level 2, and delivered 2 pancakes. The more impressive of his two highlights was a bailout block on DE Hendrickson on the 23-yard pass to Andrews (Q1, 0:30).
Scoring: 71 plays, 60 blocks, 6 missed, ½ penetration, 2.5 pressures, 54 points (.76 per play). That’s a C after adjustment.
Bozeman: Bradley had a fine game after three consecutive difficult outings. He was responsible for half sack when beaten left by DT Josh Tupou who flushed Jackson where he eventually would be taken down for a loss of 3 (Q3, 5:13). His only missed block was a loss at the LoS. He did not have any blocks in level 2, pancakes, or highlights. He connected on both his pulls. He was replaced by Colon for the last 2 series.
Scoring: 59 plays, 56 blocks, 1 missed, ½ pressure, 1/2 sack, 52 points (.88 per play). That’s a B with or without adjustment
Colon: Trystan playe 3 snaps as a 6th OL and relieved Bozeman for the final 12 snaps. He received a 1/3 charge came when he held (unsuccessfully) DT Hill who delivered a QH to Jackson (Q4, 2:18).
Scoring: 15 plays, 14 blocks, 1/3 QH, 13 points (.87 per play). He does not receive a grade because he was under the 20-snap minimum.
Zeitler: Kevin had his fourth straight excellent game. His only full charge was a pressure when beaten outside by DT Larry Ogunjobi (Q4, 8:57). His only missed block was a loss at the LoS when backed up by Ogunjobi. He made 3 blocks in level 2 but did not deliver a pancake. He connected on all 7 of his pulls. His highlight was a combination on DT Hill then LB Germaine Pratt to help lead Jackson’s 12-yard run (Q2, 11:42).
Scoring: 62 plays, 58 blocks, 1 missed, ½ penetration, 1.5 pressures, 54 points (.87 per play). That’s a B+ after adjustment.
Mekari: Patrick’s injury casts a long shadow on the Raven’s hopes to correct their offensive line problems. He did not have a single negative play. His only missed block came when DE Sam Hubbard swatted past to the outside. He made 1 block in level 2 and connected on his only pull. He did not have a pancake or highlight.
Scoring: 20 plays, 19 blocks, 1 missed, 19 points (.95 per play). That’s an A with or without adjustment.
Phillips: Tyre replaced Mekari at right tackle in the 2nd Quarter and played the last nine snaps at left guard. He surrendered 3 full pressures (beaten inside by DE Hubbard Q2, 5:49; allowed PD by Hubbard Q3, 8:25; beaten outside by Hubbard Q4, 6:59). He missed 6 blocks all of which were losses at the LoS. He had 1 block in level 2 and delivered 1 pancake. He did not have a highlight.
Scoring: 51 plays, 41 blocks, 6 missed, 3.5 pressures, 1 false start, 31 points (.61 per play). That’s a D after adjustment.
Sharpe: David played 9 total snaps. He made 6 blocks, missed 2 and allowed 1 pressure (Q4, 2:33).
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.
