A win is a win is everyone’s sports tautology. No more was that true than in last week’s big victory over the Bengals. There was great and spectacular, and awful and atrocious in this game. The great and spectacular was all on offense. The awful and atrocious . . . well. Let’s dive into the Ravens escape from Cincinnati.
Zach Orr
For the Harbaugh haters out there, after five games of largely unacceptable defensive performances, the old coach made a quick decision to add an even older coach (Dean Pees) for the struggling Zach Orr. The tape doesn’t lie (though bloggers can certainly read it wrong!). Zach Orr had just a horrible play calling game, being easily out-foxed by Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher. Before the pressure on Orr gets too hot, Harbaugh made a great call adding an experienced wise head to help Orr.
Let’s look at just a few examples of Orr’s rookie mistakes. On the Bengals second drive of the game they brought out four receivers, starting trips right and then putting Jamarr Chase in motion away from the trips. In the Ravens zone scheme, Marcus Williams rolled up to account for Chase. But in this four receiver set Orr sent out only five defensive backs, and a clear out allowed an unaccounted-for running back to run free on a drop down for a big gain.
On the next play, the Bengals again went trips right but without motion and with a five receiver set. This left Roquan Smith lined up against Chase. But with the five receiver set Orr somehow had two linebackers on the field. Huge advantage Bengals. The defensive set had David Ojabo drop into coverage. Only a great blitz by Trenton Simpson avoided a huge gain by the Bengals.
I’ll hit on a few more mistakes, but the players were very much not immune from a gaffe riddled afternoon. On the ensuing play Orr adjusted by bringing six defensive backs onto the field on a trips right and Chase left formation by the Bengals. But Eddie Jackson was very slow reacting to a deep out by the tight end, and was beat badly for a big gain.
More Orr
Just four plays after that, Orr called in a structure that hurt the Ravens all afternoon. Here the Bengals had trips left. Orr lined up Ar’Darius Washington over Chase and Marlon Humphrey on top of Tee Higgins in the slot. But Orr’s concept had Roquan Smith lined up over the center showing a blitz that he was actually coming out of at the snap. Smith was too far away from retreating to his assigned position in the middle of the field to account for a slot receiver moving there. Chase simply crossed Marlon Humphrey, ran free through Smith’s open space, and scored a touchdown.
I marked numerous plays where Smith was assigned on the edge as either a blitzer, or show-blitzer. On the Bengals next drive, they had trips left with Roquan on the edge. Both Kyle Hamilton and Smith blitzed, and this time Kyle Van Noy dropped into coverage. Indeed, there were too many instances – in my view – where Orr had his edge rushers dropping into coverage, whether it was Odafe Oweh, Ojabo, Van Noy, or Tavius Robinson. It’s not working. On this play, Van Noy had to drop all the way across the field to occupy the slot, and this left Eddie Jackson tasked with accounting for two receivers. This was a high risk blitz leaving mismatches galore, but fortunately Hamilton got home and saved the day. This was a winning play!
Near the end of the first half the Ravens had a single high safety look with Roquan at the line. Yet he was tasked to retreat to the middle of the field but simply had too much ground to cover. Chase abused Marlon Humphrey cutting across the field through what should have been Smith’s area. He ran free on an inside deep pass for a big gain.
You get the idea. There were numerous other plays with the same failing structure. But let’s move on.
Ravens Escape: One More Orr – Malik Harrison in Pass Coverage
Recall the 70 yard touchdown pass to Chase on a wide receiver screen. Chase line up at the inside slot with one tight end in the second slot and a second one out wide. Roquan Smith was lined up over Chase, with Marcus Williams responsible for all three receivers over the top. Ignoring that the first tight end was blocking three yards down the field while the ball was in the air (offensive pass interference), Chase had seven yards of separation towards the sideline from Smith. Malik Harrison was in “coverage” on that tight end. Now I’m sure Orr brought Harrison onto the field because of the two tight end look. But the Bengals created a mismatch simply because Harrison can’t play in space. We’ve seen this act too many times before.
Both Roquan and Marcus Williams took horrible tackling angles, allowing Chase to blow by for the score. Coaching mistakes and player mistakes, a deadly combination
Secondary Mistakes Everywhere
I got out over my skies on the secondary. Only Marlon Humphrey’s brilliant interception saved the defense last week. Humphrey stole inside leverage on Chase on that play. But otherwise, every defensive back (other than Ar’darius) made mistakes against the Bengals.
On the first half deep touchdown pass to Chase, Marcus Williams – the deep safety who no one should get past – turned the wrong way as Chase steamed down the field, allowing Chase to blow by him. Williams really had trouble turning his hips several times during the game. At the same time, Eddie Jackson and Humphrey were both lost on that play, neither understanding where they should be.
On another occasion Jackson and Brandon Stephens were inverted (i.e., Jackson was in the corner position with Stephens over the top in a safety look). Stephens, however, dropped too deep on the tight end, yielding a big gain. All the while Odafe Oweh dropped into coverage on this play with Smith and Hamilton faking blitzes in the A and B gaps. Stephens messed up, and Coach Orr had three players in less than optimal positions.
Nate Wiggins – but for one great speed recovery – was simply overmatched. He’s hesitant, is not understanding his reads and responsibilities, and just can’t be trusted at this point.
And Brandon Stephens was physically beaten by both Higgins and Chase. Even when he was in the correct position with tight coverage, he just couldn’t turn to the ball, as I’ve noted before. Give credit to Joe Burrow. He recognized the openings and mismatches, released the ball quickly, and avoided the rush. But the Ravens secondary was beaten physically and mentally in this game. And they offered up way too much pre-snap cushion most of the time, allowing these great receivers to run free.
Should we be worried about Marcus Williams? Yes. Nate Wiggins? Yes. Brandon Stephens? Yes. Eddie Jackson’s understanding of the defense? Yes. It will be interesting to see whether Ar’Darius Washington, who’s played well, winds up with an increased role.
Lamar
Yes, he was largely sensational. Let me give him credit for one obvious thing on this week’s tape. Jackson’s pre-snap reads were really good, and his field vision has improved, as he quickly spotted some secondary receivers that he’s not seen in the past. Simply said, the game is slowing down for Lamar, at least last week. The Ravens put up 41 points, and knit-picking bloggers like me will point out that he still missed four or five wide open receivers. But if he ever gets to the point where he drops that down to one or two, he’ll be the greatest of all time. Well, that’s a bit of hyperbole but you get the point. Ravens fans, enjoy his play while he still possesses his incredible physical gifts.
Lamar, Derrick and Eight in the Box
This is working out just as we expected. Play eight in the box to stop Derrick Henry, and Lamar will make you pay with easy tosses to Zay Flowers and even (eureka!) Rashod Bateman. Mark Andrews was open all day long against the Bengals. So the Bengals played eight up a bunch early in the game, and slowed down Henry. But with three tight end looks – and the Ravens used a bunch of them – it’s hard for anyone to cover those guys as they are all receiving threats.
Play action with Henry in the game is a deadly poison. Linebackers and edge rushers just have to react, and they do. Safeties become compromised. And Ravens receivers run free. This is really becoming the ultimate challenge for NFL defenses.
So let me go really hyperbole wild. Is this the best offense in the NFL? Yes! Could this be one of the great offenses of all-time? Well, you tell me, what are they missing? Barring injury, they have two elite receiving tight ends, a third who’s reasonably good, two excellent wide receivers, and the greatest running backfield of all time. If they continue to block for Lamar – why, I think the answer could be . . .
Rashod Bateman
Yes, I’ve been crowing since last season that Bateman’s running great routes, regularly beats his man on his release, and has been wide open. That was all true this week again, and Lamar has seemingly discovered this reality. Bateman is a hard cover. This could get very exciting. And yes, according to Pro Football Focus, through five games Bateman is the top receiver in the entire league beating man-press coverage. But you and I have known that from watching film together!
Now I haven’t written much about Zay Flowers, other than to complain that there are too many receiver screens to Zay and not enough down field. But I’m not overlooking him. His quickness and dynamism are excellent complements to Bateman’s strength and speed. This is a really good combination.
Ravens Escape – Pass Protection
We’re five games in now, and the pass protection for Lamar remains outstanding. Ronnie Stanley is back as a pass blocker, left only to prove whether he can handle a speed/quick rusher (like Alex Highsmith of Pittsburgh). On the other side, Roger Rosengarten has done a really fine job in pass protection, moving his feet very well to stay well positioned. The interior, including Daniel Faalele, continue to hold up well, and Faalele even did a better job picking up a stunting edge rusher this week.
Last Weeks Kudos
Now for a few more quick observations.
Broderick Washington
Lost in the defensive miseries was some really good play by Broderick Washington. He looks slightly quicker this year and made a real impact on the interior, stopping the run and bringing some pressure. It’s unfortunate that he will be out this week.
Madubuike
Nnamdi Madubuike is playing very well. Don’t let this year’s fewer sacks fool you. He’s a handful both on the interior and on the edge and is having a solid season. The sacks will come.
Yannick Ngakoue
Ngakoue still has some pass rushing juice. He looked quick with his great spin move. And I think he’ll probably help David Ojabo with his knowledge. Ojabo has not elevated his game enough yet. Ngakoue’s appearance will likely cost Ojabo some downs in the short term. But Ngakoue utilized as a third down rush specialist should help this team. Someone will have to come off of the roster soon enough to put Ngakoue on. Should we expect Adisa Isaac to wind up on “injured” reserve? Or will it be Malaesale Aumavae-Laulu?
Josh Jones
Jones actually got a small run in the second half at right tackle. He held his own. I’d forgotten he was on the roster.
Tylan Wallace
A really nice game from Wallace last week. He’s shown good hands and of course good blocking ability.
Justice Hill, the Incomparable
There’s little I can add here. Every week Hill contributes in a variety of ways. He’s an essential part of the offense. Hill does it all, and he’s more than just a utility man. He does it all at a high level. It will be interesting to see how the Ravens approach things if Keaton Mitchell is able to return fully healthy.
Ravens Escape – Where Does the Defense Go From Here?
The Commanders have been a run-first offense, generally ill-suited to attack the Ravens excellent run defense. But with their outstanding running back Brian Robinson out for the game, expect the Ravens secondary to be thoroughly tested.
If I were Zach Orr, I’d avoid some of the exotics that he’s utilized so far. I might try a little more of Kyle Hamilton on the back end with Ar’darius in the slot. I’m not moving Roquan around so much. But I’m asking him to stick to his assignments instead of staring in at the quarterback. Would I try a little T.J. Tampa? Probably not. But I’m not asking Nate Wiggins – at this point – to take man responsibilities inside of the zone schemes. Expect the Commanders to scheme Terry McLauren towards Wiggins if he’s on the field. Marcus Williams will likely be tested, as the Commanders like to throw deep. He must play better.
