BigUgly

The season is on the line Sunday. Let's go Ravens!

I miss seeing more of the first quarter offense with a balanced attack built on an effective, committed running game.

Did you watch the game? The offense didn't abandon the run until the 4th qtr, and when they put Joe in shotgun and sped up the tempo, he didn't throw off his back foot for minimal gains. He led the team down the field for a TD, just as he did the last time we went with the no huddle. It worked in Cle, it worked in Dal, and it was a key component in our SB run. That's the type of offense we should run. Keeping Joe under center and trying to set up play action only works when the O-line is consistently opening up holes and pass protecting, and our o-line hasn't done that this year. If we run the type of offense we ran in 2012, this team could be a real contender. Otherwise, we are going to be predictable, put ourselves in too many 3rd and longs, and continue struggling to put up 20 points. I know what games I have been watching since 2008. When Joe has twice as many pass attempts as rushing attempts, the Ravens typically lose. And for the record, they only ran the ball twice in the second half. Those stats are like that because the Ravens, like all teams, run when they are ahead and pass when they're behind. Ive never understood why so many people can't understand such a simple concept. Until the final 2 drives, we had 16 runs and 23 passes. Then we had to pass because of the game circumstances, and it worked, but we waited too late to do it. Had we been playing with the lead, we would have mostly run on the final 2 drives, which would have skewed the stats the other way. If you have balance, you tend not to get so far behind that you have to throw on every down. Regardless, the Ravens have chosen to abandon the run over the past 2 years when they were leading or the game was close. When they do so, they usually don't have much time of possession, which puts pressure on our defense and contributes to so many defensive collapses late in games. Bottom line, they can't score (7th worst in the league), can't control a game, have no red-zone efficiency whatsoever, and can't come from behind. If you find this acceptable, and want to see more of it going forward, you must really look forward to watching highlights from the Browns.

Did you watch the game? The offense didn't abandon the run until the 4th qtr, and when they put Joe in shotgun and sped up the tempo, he didn't throw off his back foot for minimal gains. He led the team down the field for a TD, just as he did the last time we went with the no huddle. It worked in Cle, it worked in Dal, and it was a key component in our SB run. That's the type of offense we should run. Keeping Joe under center and trying to set up play action only works when the O-line is consistently opening up holes and pass protecting, and our o-line hasn't done that this year. If we run the type of offense we ran in 2012, this team could be a real contender. Otherwise, we are going to be predictable, put ourselves in too many 3rd and longs, and continue struggling to put up 20 points. I know what games I have been watching since 2008. When Joe has twice as many pass attempts as rushing attempts, the Ravens typically lose. And for the record, they only ran the ball twice in the second half.

For the first quarter, it looked like 2014 under Kubiak - Flacco was under center, we committed to the run, setting up play action and roll-outs. Then, inexplicably, Marty and Joe went back to what this offense truly is - Joe in the shotgun, throwing off his back foot for minimal gains (he only averaged 7.7 yds per attempt overall). How can the coaching staff, the players and the owner not call this out?

Well, on the bright side, Flacco didn't fumble or throw any picks, so there's that.

The Ravens are an average team filled with solid guys and no playmakers. They play hard and all get along with one another and buy into the team philosophy, but they can't take over a game except against really bad teams. This was perhaps the best draft class the Ravens have had since 2008, and it paled in comparison with the Dak and Zeke show. Not sure how to turn this around, but if they fail to make the playoffs drafting mid-round won't be that helpful.

Every game from here on out is a must-win. The Ravens have to sweep the division and take 2 of the games against the Eagles, Phins, and Pats if they are to be assured of a playoff spot. That's a tall order.

Please, Flacco missed open targets as usual. He came out hot, went to sleep and only woke up when we fell behind as he always does. Dak was hitting receivers in stride, putting the ball where only they could catch it (post-up to Dez, back-shoulder throws, low and away to Beasley), and generally making good decisions. He was the better QB today.

The guys sure showed up and played hard, but ultimately the loss of Jimmy Smith and the lack of any offense to speak of doomed the Ravens. The season isn't over, but the Ravens will need to do more than simply beat the Stillers and sweep the Bengals to ensure a playoff spot (via winning the division). Should they fail to make the playoffs, the Ravens know the formula needed: Playmaking receiver (can SSR stay another year?), dominant O-Line, and secondary help that can stay healthy.

Without Jimmy Smith, Yanda, and Mosley, this will be a very different game - closer to the 7 point spread in favor of the 'boys than the closer game I was hoping for.

Dallas has faced only 1 defense in the top 15 in scoring - the Eagles. The result? Zeke was held to under 100 yds and no TD, but Dak ran for one and threw for 2 TDs, including the OT winner to Witten. I think we can match the Eagles success in containing the run, J Smith can keep Dez in check, and our ILBs can keep Witten from breaking lose. This game will come down to Joe and the offense.

Zeke may get his 100 yards, but they will come in 3 yard chunks and take all day. I think the Ravens can contain the Cowboys offense so long as Moseley and J Smith are healthy. The real question is, can the offense put up more than 24 points to take advantage and keep the defense rested? If so, I think the D can hold Dallas to 20 points and manage to nab a pick off of Dak.

Gillmore needs to come back. Waller and Pitta aren't exactly great blocking TE options. The Ravens may need to consider some jumbo packages with an additional O-lineman (not that there are many left).

Siz is always going to keep it loose. Check out his antics on the sideline with the Denver fans in 2012 playoff game. By doing this, he is showing the Cowboys (and the young-uns on the Ravens) that he has no fear, and isn't worried. He's also reminding Dak that he's coming.

The roster of guys injured or suspended would make for a pretty good football team. Good luck to Willie Henry, who should enjoy his redshirt year and be ready to contribute in 2017

The offense needs to continue to improve, the O-Line coaching needs work, and Joe needs to cut down on the turnovers. We have a championship-caliber defense and kicker. The offense needs to elevate its game to at least mediocrity for this team to have a shot at the playoffs.

Very happy the offense rebounded, and Joe seemed to (mostly) come out of his slump in the second half, though his INTs were real head-scratchers (and he tried a 3rd with the Perriman TD throw). The reall issue is the O-Line, and I think it has more to do with scheme and coaching than talent, with the exception of Pitta who whiffed or seemingly recoiled from his blocking responsibilities in the first half. Too many missed assignments, and a weird insertion of a couple of trap plays for a unit supposedly built around zone blocking. This unit needs to keep it simple, let guys like DuCasse just maul, and consider resting Zuttah for Urschel.

The Ravens should absolutely win this game, and it shouldn't be close. If it is, and it is once again due to offensive futility, Harbs needs to consider benching Joe going forward "for is protection"

Hard for anyone to put up a lot of recieving stats the way Joe is playing. Sure the line hasn't been great, but Joe might've looked better his rookie year. If it's a health issue than he shouldn't be in there. Once our offense gets rollin, Gilmore should be in line for some red zone looks. He one of the very few Huge guys we have to toss it up to. Gilmore and Boyle blocking, Waller and Pitta recieving. Boyle and Gilmore can catch too though Agreed. TE's have been notably neglected in this offense, with the resulting 3rd down and red zone futility. I think a lot of that has to do with a lack of play action passing which opens seams against LBs. That's caused by a lack of commitment to the running game, continually putting Joe in the shotgun, and Joe's poor decision-making and execution.

Just let Joe sit a week or so to "heal", get him a strong QB coach who can get his footwork and mechanics hammered back into his skull, and in the meantime lets see if Mallett can be less of a hindrance to our awful offense than Flacco.

I think Flacco's problems are a combination of a bad offensive scheme, average O-Line play, non-existent QB coaching (that reinforces mechanics), and injuries to his knee and shoulder. I think the latter should give the Ravens and Joe enough reason to temporarily bench him so he can heal up and, ideally, have an as-yet nonexistent QB coach get him back to focusing on his footwork.

Assuming the Ravens don't look past the Browns and take care of business Thursday, they will be 5-4 and in first place in the division (perhaps with a 1 game lead). If Flacco is still struggling as he has been the past 2 years, at what point to you decide to sit him in hopes of making a playoff push?

Need to commit to the run Thursday, keep Joe under center as much as possible, and throw more play-action passes to the seam routes (especially Pitta and Wallace). This game is a perfect trap game. It is unlikely for Cleveland to go 0-16, and the Ravens just may be a little tempted to look beyond them to the next game. Ravens need to stay focused, and Harbs needs to be prepared to win ugly if this turns into a typically ugly Browns-Ravens matchup (color rush should ensure a certain level of ugliness is achieved).

Flacco was average? Relative to what? Stoney Case? Kyle Boller?