The Baltimore Ravens currently hold a seven-four record and are second in the AFC North. But the four losses aren’t because the opposing teams were better. It’s because the Ravens, while being a good football team, are not a smart football team.
The Ravens have self-inflicted wounds and those wounds are responsible for each of their losses. From bad special teams to bad defense, they have been the main party responsible for losing games. As former New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick recently said, the only team that can beat the Ravens is the Ravens. It’s going to affect this season if they don’t figure it out soon.
Here’s what we know: this team is undisciplined. At times they appear to be poorly coached. They are still in search of an offensive identity. They lack a consistent pass rush. And they are dealing with a kicker issue and we are well into the second half of the NFL season.
Here’s what we know: this team is undisciplined. At times they appear to be poorly coached. They are still in search of an offensive identity. They lack a consistent pass rush. And they are dealing with a kicker issue and we are well into the second half of the NFL season.
Currently, the Ravens lead the league in penalties, and the team behind them has 10 fewer. The offense continues to deal with illegal formation penalties week after week, and as a result, has negated positive offensive plays and essentially stopped offensive drives. This is a coaching problem. Being over 11 weeks into the season, there is no excuse for having the same issues over and over.
The Ravens also have a Derrick Henry problem. Henry was brought in this past offseason to bring the running game over the top and make this offense a real threat. And while we have seen Henry’s brilliance multiple times this season, he somehow goes missing in games. In the Ravens’ four losses, Henry has gotten the ball 13, 18, 11 and 13 times, disrespectfully. The Ravens didn’t have Henry in the game for the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he was absent when the Ravens went for a two-point conversion. This is malpractice. On average, Henry should get 20 carries a game at a minimum. He forces defenses, to be honest. And at times, creates conflict. And while it is easy for us to blame offensive coordinator Todd Monken, let me remind you that quarterback Lamar Jackson has been given full autonomy at the line of scrimmage. How many of these run plays have been called in the huddle, only for Jackson to change the play to a pass play?
The team also has a Justin Tucker problem. It is no secret that the kicker has struggled this season, missing six kicks thus far. Tucker is three of seven for kicks over 50 yards and missed two kicks in the Steelers game last Sunday that essentially cost them the game, as the Ravens lost by only two points. While the NFL as a whole is struggling to make kicks, the expectations have always been high for the future Hall of Famer. This is as uncharacteristic as it gets, and it could potentially cost the Ravens other games moving forward.
The defense is…. what it is at this point? Defensive coordinator Zach Orr has put players in conflict with his complex defensive game plan. While they have good players on every level, the defense is too exotic at times, and puts players out of position. While they played extremely well against the Steelers by not giving up a touchdown, they continue to struggle in pass rush and pass defense. The defense doesn’t have a consistent pass rusher or the option to move Nnamdi Madubuike around to wreak havoc due to a lack of depth at the interior line position. The Ravens’ refusal to allow defensive backs to travel with a specific receiver put a huge target on Brandon Stephens’s back, as offenses attack him often, knowing he plays one side of the field.
If the Ravens finally smarten up, they have a clear path to New Orleans.
Now, I stand ten toes down on what I said. The Ravens are a good team but not a smart team. I say that because, while all of these issues are a recipe for disaster, the Ravens are too talented to ever be out of it. If the Ravens finally smarten up, they have a clear path to New Orleans.
Things they need to do:
First, get the penalties under control. Twelve penalties against the Steelers for over 100 yards is egregious, no matter how you spin it. It is hurting the team. Coaching needs to work overtime with the players to figure out how to mitigate the penalties. If the overtime isn’t enough, then overtime some more!
Second, RUN DERRICK HENRY! You didn’t bring him to Baltimore to have him watch the game on the sideline. Henry is at his best in the third and fouth quarters when defenses start to get tired. USE HIM! He is the best weapon for this team! I’m talking to you, Todd Monken (and maybe Lamar, too).
Third, simplify the defense some. The players will continue to say it’s a communication problem, but to me, if you are confused about the coverage then maybe it’s because the coverage itself is confusing. Make it simpler for them. Blitz more. Stunt more. This will help the secondary more, and thus help them get off the field more.
The Tucker situation is one I don’t have an answer to. Some believe it is the place holder’s situation, while others place the blame more on Tucker. I’m sure the Ravens are trying to figure out what to do, but it may be time to bring in a kicker and put him on the practice squad for insurance purposes. While you’re not going to get rid of Tucker in-season, you need to have a guy in tow, competing with him, in case the problems continue.
The Ravens are a good team. It is now time for them to figure out how to be a smart team. Their season depends on it.
The post The Baltimore Ravens are a good football team, not a smart one appeared first on Baltimore Beat.