Passing Game
Jackson was afforded ample time and space (ATS) on 10 of 26 (38%) drop backs resulting in a pass or sack. With ATS, he was 7 of 10 for 121 yards (12.1 YPP).
Jackson delivered the ball before pressure could develop (BOQ) 9 times (35%) with 7 of 9 complete for 79 yards (8.8 YPP). He was pressured 7 times (27%), on which he completed 3 of 5 passes for 109 net yards (15.6 YPP), 2 sacks, 1 TO. In total, Jackson outperformed his opportunity set by 140 yards (actual 304, expected 164), which is a stunning 5.2 yards per play above expectation.
By number of pass rushers:
3: 4 plays, 21 yards, 5.3 YPP
4: 10 plays, 111 yards, 11.1 YPP, 1 sack
5: 6 plays, 146 net yards, 24.3 YPP
6: 6 plays, 31 yards, 5.2 YPP, 1 sack, 1 TO
7: None
The Colts rushed 5+ on 12 of 26 (46%) dropbacks resulting in a pass or sack, which is high. On those plays, the Ravens gained 14.8 YPP with 1 sack, 1 TO.
The Ravens used 10 set blocks and 5 chip blocks spread among 26 plays resulting in a pass or sack (0.58 per play) which is fairly low. Hill and Smythe led the team with 3 set blocks each and Hill also had 2 chip blocks.
At a macro level, the offense provided Jackson an excellent opportunity set. The line surrendered 4 pressures, 1 QH, 1.17 sacks on 26 plays resulting in a pass or sack. They were also flagged 5 times, including drive-stalling holding flags by Gwyn and Ioane.
OL Scoring
The Ravens ran 60 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 was flagged twice in a difficult opener. He was party to 2 pressure events (beaten outside by DE Tuimoloau, QH, Q2, 8:18; beaten inside by DE Key, ½ sack, Q2, 4:34). He was also run out of pressure by Jackson when beaten outside by DE Key (Q1, 5:54). He was penalized for a chop block when he engaged the upper body of DT Tillery after Simpson cut blocked him (Q1, 6:20). He also had a false start. Of his 6 missed blocks 5 were losses at the LoS. He had 3 blocks in level 2 and did not deliver any pancakes. He was not assigned to pull. His highlight was a combination block of DE Key then CB Gardner (Q4, 10:22).
Scoring: 60 plays, 52 blocks, 6 missed, 1 QH, 1/2 sack, 1 chop block, 1 false start, 37 points (.62 per play). That’s a D with or withoutadjustment.
The chop block cost Stanley a full grade level (mid-C range to mid-D). That was a fluke flag which he would not typically commit and was a function of the unusual (for the Ravens) cut block thrown by Simpson. In a game like this, there is a tendency to want to handwave the cost of penalties that are correctable, and this is a case where I agree, specifically in terms of future projections of play.
Simpson: John had a solid effort in his return to the Ravens. He had contributions to 2 pressures (failed to pick up blitzing ILB Carlies when blocking with head down, pressure, Q2, 7:04; unable to negotiate stunt handoff on DE Clemons and DT Buckner with Gwyn, ½ pressure, Q4, 15:00). Of his 7 missed blocks, 4 were losses at the LoS. He had 3 blocks in level 2 and delivered 2 pancakes. He connected on 5 of 6 pulls. His highlight was a combination block on DT Tillery and ILB Davis-Gaither (Q2, 9:11).
Scoring: 60 plays, 51 blocks, 7 missed, 1.5 pressures, 48 points (.80 per play). That’s a C+ with adjustment.
John was upended by Latu and pancaked by Latu on his first pull of the day (Q1, 6:56). He exacted some measure of payback when he threw down Latu after pulling to block him (Q4, 14:14).
Gwyn: Jovaughn had a difficult first NFL start. He was party to 2 pressures (failed to block DT Stewart, ½ pressure, Q2, 12:07; unable to negotiate stunt handoff with Simpson, ½ pressure, Q4, 15:00). He was also run out of pressure when beaten left by DT Buckner (Q1, 5:54). He was flagged for holding Stewart to negate PM4 TD to Lane (Q2, 13:00). Of his 7 missed blocks 4 were losses at the LoS. He had 4 blocks in level 2 and did not deliver a pancake. He was not assigned to pull. His highlight was a combination block on Stewart then ILB Davis-Gaither (Q2, 5:12).
Scoring: 60 plays, 51 blocks, 7 missed, 1 (2 x ½) pressure, 1 offensive holding, 44 points (.73 per play). That’s a D- at center.
Jovaughn lost his adjustment in part due to some very slow, teardrop snaps which delayed Jackson’s read process in addition to being run out of a pressure. There is a lot to fix here and there will be Ravens fans looking to swap him out quickly for Pocic, but I don’t expect the Ravens to do that given Ethan’s health. The shotgun snaps are the element that may be the quickest fix.
Ioane: Vega had the value of a fine debut mitigated by 2 costly holding penalties. He surrendered 1 pressure when bulled then lost his balance to DT Buckner (Q1, 0:43). He was also flagged for holding twice (grabbed jersey of Davis-Gaither, Q2, 8:30; bulled then beaten inside by DT Adebawore, Q2, 1:57). Of his 2 missed blocks, 1 was a loss at the LoS. He had 3 blocks in level 2 and delivered 2 pancakes. He connected on his only pull. His highlight was a pass off of DE Clemons then help block inside vs DT Buckner (Q2, 12:52).
Scoring: 60 plays, 56 blocks, 2 missed, 1 pressure, 2 offensive holdings, 44 points (.73 per play). That’s a C with adjustment.
Vega’s physicality projects to effective rookie play. His first hold was an unnecessary jersey grab in L2, but the second was a function of being beaten by DT Adebawore. Had he avoided both flags, he would have graded as an A. In our timeline, however, his flags negated conversions of 8 and 19 yards. The Ravens 4 declinable OL fouls (chop block, 3 holding) each negated a first down (including Lane’s TD) and probably kept the Ravens from a 50-point performance.
Rosengarten: Roger was the most effective of the linemen. He was party to 2 pressure events (beaten inside by swimming DT Buckner, ½ pressure, Q2, 12:07; beaten inside by DE Latu for initial pressure on S-5, 2/3 sack, Q3, 6:23). Of his 3 missed blocks, 2 were losses at the LoS. He made 3 blocks in level 2 and delivered 5 pancakes. He made his only pull. His highlight was a combination where he blocked DE Clemons then pancaked LB Carlies in level 2 (Q2, 0:20).
Scoring: 60 plays, 55 blocks, 3 missed, 1/2 pressure, 2/3 sack, 50 points (.83 per play). That is an A afteradjustment.
Roger has mentioned trying to improve his run blocking this season and delivered a 5-pancake opener as indication of his commitment to physicality.
Vinson: Carson played 7 snaps as a 6th offensive lineman and made each of his blocks including 2 in level two.
