Offensive Efficiency Rebounds
The Ravens scored on 5 of 6 red zone possessions on Sunday against the Lions, reversing their 1 of 6 performance vs the Titans the previous week in London.
For the season, they have now converted 19 of 30 red-zone opportunities (63.3%), a rate which is 7th in the NFL. That feels sustainable given the quality of the Ravens offense and the NFL median RZ TD rate at 54.2%.
Furthermore, the Ravens followed up their first downs by either a subsequent first down or TD on 23 of 27 occasions (85%), a rate higher than the 2019 Ravens. For the season, the Ravens have now converted 142 of 201 series of downs, a 70.6% rate. While that is north of the league median, the Ravens can improve there with a combination of continued 3rd down efficiency, a few more 4th-down conversions, and a reduction in turnovers which comprise 10 of their 59 failures.
Passing Game
Jackson was afforded ample time and space (ATS) on 7 of 27 (26%) drop backs resulting in a pass/sack. With ATS, he was 6 of 7 for 83 yards (11.9 YPP).
He delivered the ball before pressure could develop (BOQ) 10 times (37%) with 6 complete for 50 yards (5.0 YPP). He was pressured 10 times (37%), on which he completed 9 of 10 passes for 224 net yards (22.4 YPP).
The performance under pressure is the best I’ve ever scored for a Ravens QB and one of the most extreme sports statistics I’ve ever seen.
By number of pass rushers:
3: 1 play, 22 yards
4: 15 plays, 173 net yards, 11.5 YPP
5: 8 plays, 134 net yards, 16.8 YPP
6: 3 plays, 28 net yards, 9.3 YPP
When they rushed 5+, the Lions allowed 14.7 YPP but they also allowed 12.2 YPP when rushing 3 or 4. Hemlock or Arsenic?
OL Scoring
The Ravens ran 54 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 qualitatively fine game but his score suffered from a pair of holding penalties. He allowed a QH when beaten outside by LB J. Okwara (Q2, 15:00). He was twice flagged for holding (Q1, 1:09 on DT R. Okwara; Q4, 11:20 on DT Paschal). Of his 6 missed blocks, 3 were losses at the LoS. He had 2 blocks in level 2 and delivered 1 pancake. He connected on his only pull. His highlight was one of the best finishes you’ll ever see to lead Jackson’s 7-yard TD run (Q1, 10:42) when he pancaked S Joseph into the drainage ditch behind the endzone. He may well be fined and certainly could have been flagged, but what’s $15,000 or so for a play you can show your grandkids?
Scoring: 54 plays, 47 blocks, 6 missed, 1 QH, 2 offensive holdings, 32 points (.59 per play). That’s a D after adjustment. In case you’re wondering, the 2 holding flags were the difference between a low A (.89 after adjustment) and the high D he received (.67 after adjustment) if one is willing to make the assumption he would not have been beaten for a pressure on either play.
The good news for the Ravens is that Stanley’s performance significantly raises expectations for his play the rest of this season.
Simpson: John had his best game of the season. His only negative event was a pressure when bulled by DL Cominsky (Q2, 3:12). His 1 missed block was a loss at the LoS when shed and pancaked by DL Buggs. John was fortunate not to draw a holding flag which (Q1, 1:09) when he appeared to be just as guilty as Stanley. I eliminated his adjustment due to that play. He had 3 blocks in level 2 and delivered 1 pancake. He connected on all 5 of his pulls. His highlight was a fine off-the-line push vs. Buggs (Q1, 0:58) on Hill’s RL9.
Scoring: 54 plays, 52 blocks, 1 missed, 1 pressure, 50 points (.93 per play). That’s an A without adjustment.
John may have saved his job with this game. One thing to build off was a better rapidity in terms of delivering help blocks for Stanley. The ravens are counting on improved processing in that regard for their remaining opponents with outstanding blind-side edge rushers.
Linderbaum: Tyler regressed, primarily due to a hold of DT Cominsky when pulling (Q2, 4:50). He was beaten by Buggs on consecutive plays (shed for penetration, Q1, 7:30; bulled for a full pressure, Q1, 6:55). Of his 3 missed blocks 1 was a loss at the LoS. He had 6 blocks in level 2 but did not deliver a pancake. He scored 3 points on 4 pulls (excluding the penalty). His highlight was a combination on Buggs then ILB Anzalone in level 2 (Q4, 12:01).
Scoring: 51 plays, 46 blocks, 3 missed, 1 penetration, 1 pressure, 1 offensive holding, 36 points (.71 per play). That’s a D after adjustment.
Zeitler: Kevin rebounded with his best game of the year. His only negative event was a pressure when beaten outside by a swim move from DT McNeill (Q2, 4:31). Of his 2 missed blocks, 1 was a loss at the LoS. Lamar also ran him out of one pressure. He connected on all 3 of his pulls. He had 2 blocks in level 2 and delivered 3 pancakes. His highlight was a combination block on DT Jones then ILB Anzalone in level 2 (Q3, 4:13).
Scoring: 51 plays, 48 blocks, 2 missed, 1 pressure, 46 points (.90 per play). That’s an A after adjustment.
Moses: Morgan put up a fine struggle primarily against DE Hutchinson. He surrendered 3 full pressures to Hutchinson (beaten outside, Q1, 8:07; bulled, Q1, 3:22; beaten outside despite chip by Hill, Q1, 0:16). Of his 8 missed blocks, 6 were losses at the LoS, all to Hutchinson. Those included 2 plays where Lamar ran him out of pressure. He had 3 blocks in level 2 and delivered 4 pancakes. He scored on 6 of 7 pulls, including 2 courtesy points as the trailer. His highlight was a pull to pancake ILB Barnes in level 2 that led Edwards RR2 TD (Q2, 7:49).
Scoring: 51 plays, 40 blocks, 8 missed, 3 pressures, 34 points (.67 per play). That’s a C- with adjustment.
Morgan had no answer for Hutchinson’s spin move but the combination of his efforts, chip/help blocks, and Lamar’s awareness prevented Hutchinson from delivering a single QH.
Faalele: Daniel played the last series at right tackle and made each of his 3 blocks.
Mekari: Patrick replaced Linderbaum at center for the final series and made 2 of 3 blocks.
Cleveland: Ben played 1 snap as the 6th offensive lineman and the last series at right guard. He made all 4 of his blocks, including 1 in level 2.
