The Ravens found their offensive id as a operating crew in current weeks, however they gained’t go far within the postseason until they elevate the passing recreation.
They’ve been one of many prime operating groups within the NFL in every of the previous 4 seasons, but it surely hasn’t translated to postseason success. They did not make the playoffs final yr and have one postseason victory within the earlier three.
In an ideal world and underneath very best situations, the Ravens seem like the suitable foils for the AFC’s finest groups, the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, who’re each permitting a median of 4.5 yards per carry.
But these groups have one thing the Ravens don’t: A high-octane offense. Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes has an abundance of pace at operating again and broad receiver and the Bills are led by quarterback Josh Allen and two proficient receivers in Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.
“Where would you rank Baltimore’s receiving corps, 25th if not 30th?” requested former Ravens heart Wally Williams, now a scout and assistant coach with the Capital City Cyclones of the American Indoor Football Alliance in Tallahassee, Florida. “The Ravens are a particular playoff crew and they are going to be enjoying in January, however not in February.
“If not, then prove me wrong. Look who they’ve lost to in the playoffs. Except for the Titans, everybody else had a launching pad and a receiver who could get open and take the team to the next level. How did Cincinnati get to the Super Bowl last year? Hell, they found a launching pad and had a receiver named Ja’Marr Chase.”
Williams’ considerations are legitimate. It’s nice the Ravens have an id. They wanted to discover a basis, one thing to construct or fall again on, however now they need to develop a No. 27 ranked passing recreation to a degree the place it enhances the NFL’s second-best dashing assault.
In the previous three video games in opposition to the Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (second half) and New Orleans Saints, the Ravens have restricted quarterback Lamar Jackson’s move makes an attempt and subsequently lowered his turnovers.
That will work within the common season. The Ravens have sufficient expertise and depth to win 10 or 11 video games, however not within the postseason.
We’ve seen this earlier than. The philosophy is sound in concept, however not when the Ravens fall behind early or want a robust passing recreation within the remaining two minutes. They don’t want to show into the “Greatest Show On Turf” Part II, however a milder variation could be good.
“It’s not anything against their players, they play as hard as they can and maximize every inch of their skill set,” Williams stated, “however there comes a time when you must evolve with the passing recreation.
“I thought the Ravens had learned their lesson when they had some burners like Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones, guys who were iffy in their route running but could take the top off a defense. Then they had Joe Flacco who could out-throw any coverage, and he heated up at the right time in the playoffs. Even with a dynamic quarterback like Lamar, if you can’t throw over the top, the field will be condensed and become smaller.”
The Ravens have eight video games to determine it out. Jackson has been inaccurate together with his lengthy ball as a result of he doesn’t loft it sufficient to permit receivers to run underneath it.
Creativity has been an issue since Smith and Jones have been on the surface and broad receiver Anquan Boldin and tight finish Dennis Pitta labored the intermediate routes. The Ravens don’t have that mixture of pace and confirmed particular person expertise on the roster. There are not any studs just like the Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson.
Devin Duvernay has pace however isn’t confirmed. DeSean Jackson has pace, however has to show himself once more at age 35. Ditto for Demarcus Robinson, who’s 28.
The finest receiver is tight finish Mark Andrews, who can’t be held accountable for stretching defenses. That’s what quick receivers do.
“They’ve given Lamar Jackson the same level of receivers that they’ve given Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay,” Williams stated. “I played here when the organization started, worked within the media and I’ve followed just about every game in the team’s history. It still shocks me when I say the most dynamic group of receivers in team history were Derrick Alexander, Michael Jackson and Jermaine Lewis. Damn, after all this time.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com