Just another Steelers loss that’s hard to fathom. The Steelers have a good defense, a very mediocre offense to go with a mediocre quarterback, excellent special teams and excellent coaches. They will make the playoffs barring a shocking turn. But this makes three losses for the Ravens to inferior teams. Which tells us – like it or not – that the Ravens are not (yet?) a great team. Let’s take a look at a few things that went wrong last week, a possible silver lining, and waste few words on the obvious.
A Bunch of Thoughts, Number One – The Two Point Play
Yes, I just penned that I wanted to waste but a few words on the obvious, and this is the one that bites the worst. Let’s ask ourselves two questions. First, other than Lamar Jackson, who are the top three playmakers on offense? Here’s a hint: Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, and Rashod Bateman (Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely are a close fourth).
Second, if the Super Bowl is on the line at the other team’s two yard line and you’re down by one, would you call in a championship play that left Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, and Rashod Bateman on the bench? And, if you had a second or two to really think about it – enough time to change your mind if you left those guys on the bench initially – would you then make the change? Enough said. Yes, Henry, Flowers and Bateman were benched. Yes, the Steelers called time out after the Ravens had their other personnel on the field, yet Todd Monken didn’t change his mind. This was really bad. I mean atrociously bad. This type of brain infarct is shocking from a coach who is probably getting too much credit for the fruits from the talent he possesses.
A Bunch of Thoughts, Number Two – Lamar Jackson
We keep asking ourselves why Lamar comes up mostly snake eyes when faced with the stiffest competition. For all of the penalties, turnovers, and missed field goals, this game should have been over in favor of the Ravens in the first half. Why? Because the tape doesn’t lie.
Remember the Ravens third possession of the game where Justin Tucker missed his first field goal? At the 5:25 mark in that first quarter Zay Flowers lined up wide in a trips formation, and easily released down the field without any real competition. He was wide open for an uncontestable touchdown. But Lamar was locked onto the other side of the field. That’s where Diontae Johnson (you may recall) was targeted for a very deep ball pinned to the sideline, the pass sailing out of bounds over his head with no chance for a reception.
As if that wasn’t enough, on the next play Flowers was wide open running from the right slot across the field to the four yard line. At the same time, Keaton Mitchell drifted out of the backfield to the left flat where absolutely no one paid any attention to him. Toss him the ball, it’s a likely touchdown. Hit Flowers in stride, a likely touchdown. Lamar did neither, missing Flowers badly.
On the next series, Mark Andrews abused Minkah Fitzpatrick on a deep route for what also should have been an easy touchdown. Jackson never looked his way, instead making a terrible toss to Isaiah Likely on the other side. By the way, Andrews humiliated Fitzpatrick the entire day, and there was another wide open opportunity to Andrews later in the game where Lamar threw poorly and missed. Andrews looked great.
I counted at least six other plays where Lamar didn’t spot similar opportunities. Nine misses like that in one game are unacceptable. Jackson’s poor field awareness was glaring. One just wonders why this unawareness – call it locking in elsewhere if you want – seems to happen in the toughest games. This should have been a Ravens blowout.
A Bunch of Thoughts, Number Three – Brandon Stephens, Tre’Davious White, and the Pass Defense
I was eager to watch the defensive video to see what really transpired on the back end against Pittsburgh. Was there actual improvement?
The Safeties
As regular readers know, for many weeks now I’ve called for the removal of both Marcus Williams and Eddie Jackson. The coaches reached the same conclusion going into Pittsburgh. They permanently installed Ar’Darius Washington on the back end, and generally reassigned Kyle Hamilton there as well. But the Steelers didn’t really test this duo. They didn’t run many go routes, and didn’t press the back of the defense other than a deep sideline route to George Pickens. As a result, the results are not yet in whether the Washington-Hamilton (isn’t that funny?) duo brought a sea-change on the back end. Washington-Hamilton worked for America, but can it work for the Ravens? We can only judge them against their play, and the results were certainly better.
I’ve been a Washington fan for years. He brings decisiveness, an ability to tackle, and good speed. Is he a better option than Jackson and Williams? Yes. Is he the long-term answer on the back end? I’m not going there. Do the Ravens lose a bit with Hamilton stationed more frequently on the back end? Yes, but Marlon Humphrey and whoever from the slot can make up for some of it. Hamilton was terrific yet again when tasked with playing up front.
Man Coverage and Zone Schemes
Once again, when the Ravens deployed man coverage, they were far more effective. Nate Wiggins has been fairly sticky in man, and Marlon Humphrey remains attached to his cover. Both Washington and Hamilton also fared well, as did Trenton Simpson and (to a lesser degree) Roquan Smith. I continue to believe that man coverage is where the current strength lies for this group.
In the zone schemes Coach Orr is generally comfortable with yielding receptions underneath. There is always a weakness in every zone concept. Mike Macdonald yielded these throws too, although more generally he allowed the openings underneath in the flats. Orr’s concepts seem to allow more of that in the middle. Last week, Simpson and Smith were both effective limiting YAC on these throws. But the Steelers lack some explosiveness in this regard, and tougher challenges await.
Did Roquan Smith improve last week? Smith had a strong game against the run, being more instinctive and decisive. He more regularly dropped simply into middle range zone coverages and wasn’t truly tested. He didn’t spend any time hanging out in the “A” gap and racing to retreat (is Orr a secret reader of this humble blog?). A good change by Orr. But the jury will be out on any improvement in his coverages until the Eagles game (or later, if he’s not healthy).
Stephens and White
Yet again Brandon Stephens had a play or two of outstanding coverage on a wide receiver (Pickens) but was incapable of turning to the ball. Because of that failing, quarterbacks can throw his way with unbridled abandon. If you can’t break on the ball and have a shot of knocking it down (or more), then it’s as if you aren’t on the field. Sadly, that’s where Mr. Stephens finds himself.
As Tre’Davious White began replacing Stephens, Stephens’ failure showed itself as White’s strength. White made several plays on the ball (including defending Pickens in the end zone on a breakup), and no doubt earned himself more playing time. But let’s keep the euphoria in check for now, at least until we see whether White can run. We will know no later than the Eagles game.
A Bunch of Thoughts Number Four – Odafe Oweh and Tavius Robinson
Zach Orr is settled into a defensive front rotation something like this. On first down where he believes a run play is more probable, his edge defenders generally are Tavius Robinson and Malik Harrison. Five man fronts are more common, as Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones, and Broderick Washington or Brent Urban join the group.
On more obvious passing downs, both Robinson and Harrison are off the field, with Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy taking their turns. Oweh, for one, had a strong game against the Steelers, generating three sacks and numerous pressures.
As I’ve ranted before, Tavius Robinson has no idea how to rush the quarterback. He has no moves, but brings power and effort. Perhaps Robinson, arguably, has been stouter against the run than Oweh. But not much more. The trap for Coach Orr is that, putting Robinson out there on potential running downs becomes problematic when the other team actually passes. Robinson will not pressure the quarterback and becomes a non-factor, drawing only one blocker. Oweh can draw multiple blockers and possesses pash rush arrows in his quiver.
Against the Chargers tonight, with possibly Travis Jones and Roquan Smith out, Robinson will likely see more action against the run. But more generally, he’s just a one dimensional player at this point. Robinson had more action against Pittsburgh than Oweh. Against better offenses, like the Eagles, Oweh simply must play more.
Harrison, Harrison, and Harrison, Oh My!
Malik Harrison is bound to be on the field tonight as an inside linebacker. This is trouble, with a capital T. Harrison can come forward, but put it in reverse, or ask him to swivel his hips and run and, well . . .
The Chargers should look for any mismatch where they can isolate a running back (perish it being J.K. Dobbins) on Harrison. I’d scheme Dobbins in motion and set him at the wide. But Zach Orr simply cannot permit this type of mismatch. Harrison can’t cover, and that’s that. Let’s hope he gets Chris Board on the field at the optimum times.
The Ravens Offense More Generally
There’s nothing wrong with the Ravens offense. As I’ve penned before, the only way to stop the Ravens offense is for the Ravens to stop themselves. They graded out at 100% on that scale against the Steelers. They left a lot on the field. Receivers were wide open often. Need I mention Rashod Bateman? Ronnie Stanley struggled a bit with quickness and speed, and the Steelers attacking scheme gave the offensive line a few fits. The line continued to generally lack drive power when called upon.
But there’s nothing really broken here. Lamar needs to process the information more efficiently (as he had previously) and the Ravens will remain a severe challenge. I expect Keaton Mitchell to get some touches now. Let’s team him up with Zay Flowers on some looks! And Mark Andrews looks really good.
Errata
This week’s ramblings.
Travis and Broderick
Travis Jones has been playing on one ankle. He’s been effective enough, but they’ve got to rest him for the stretch. Broderick Washington has played very well with more reps.
David Ojabo and Adissa Isaac
Isaac got a rep last week, resulting in a batted ball. David Ojabo wore street clothes. I worry for Ojabo’s future in Baltimore. Isaac should get a few more reps, as he seems to have the strength to hold the edge, and we will see what he has to rush the quarterback. Yes, he’s behind the learning curve, but he might bring to bear more than Tavius Robinson from a rush perspective. This week should tell us a bit more.
Diontae Johnson
The Ravens tried him a few times last week, primarily on longer routes. I’d prefer seeing him on some crossers, ins, and outs. He oodles with quickness, time to use it. This is the week to get him the ball in those situations. The deep ball can come later, but too often Lamar isn’t given a wide receiver underneath to balance out go routes. Johnson’s perfect for that too.
Justin Tucker
He’s at the age where a miss or two just has to bleed into his psyche. He’s human. But the leg strength is till there. I’m no kicking expert by any stretch, but perhaps Tucker has a slight bit more of lean back in his form than he’d like? Tucker will be the kicker the rest of the year, without a doubt. Though fans might lack some confidence because, well, we are fans, Coach Harbaugh shouldn’t, and won’t. If the situation calls for a 55 yard kick, Tucker should be in there.
But he’s no longer the best kicker in the NFL.
Bad Defensive Designs
I failed to spot any defensive tackle or even edge linebacker dropping into coverage against Pittsburgh. Perhaps Orr got the memo? Let’s hope that continues going forward. This is a stress reducer for a defense that is struggling.
The Chargers
I’m really not sure about this year’s Chargers. Obviously, Herbert can make every throw. But his receivers just don’t scare you. Greg Roman surprised me quite a bit with the amount of throwing he utilized last week. But if Smith and Jones can’t play tonight, I think he’ll test the mettle of the Ravens run defense, failing which, attack downfield with everything he has.
