There have been many worse days and many worse lines than that fielded Sunday versus the Rams, but I can’t recall a darker day for any Ravens offensive line.
The Rams have a strong defensive front, even without pass rusher Robert Quinn. In his absence, Aaron Donald proved unstoppable and not only penetrated and pressured at will, but also had a role in the injuries to Justin Forsett and Joe Flacco.
Flacco’s injury came on a play (Q4, 0:54) with pressure, but the result was freakish. Donald beat Jensen outside, but Jensen pushed him to the ground to Flacco’s left without any contact. Urschel was backed up by Brockers to compress the pocket. Finally, Hurst battled Longacre on the left side of the pocket until the ball was out, but was then tripped backward over the prone Donald and onto Flacco’s leg.
It was horrible moment in Ravens history, but not the fault of any one lineman and I split the responsibility for the QH evenly to Hurst, Jensen, and Urschel.
The Ravens had 72 meaningful snaps (excludes the spike).
Monroe: Eugene started and left with an injury for the 3rd time this season. He got a half charge for the sack allowed to Donald (Q2, 1:25) when he split a double team from Monroe and Jensen. After the play, Monroe tapped Jensen on the helmet to get his attention, which I interpret as “my bad.” Donald beat him inside for a pressure (Q3, 11:15) on the 4th-and-11 attempt, which was his final snap of the day. I scored him for 1 highlight (star) block and 1 block in level 2.
Scoring: 41 plays, 32 blocks, 5 missed, 2 pressures, 1/3 QH, 1/2 sack, 24 points (.59 per play). D. In games where Monroe has left due to injury, his aggregate raw score is .53 (a high F after adjustment over 95 snaps). In the 3 complete games (203 snaps) he has played it’s .85, an A with adjustment. Availability has been a big issue, but not the quality of his play when healthy.
Jensen: Ryan’s first career start isn’t one he’ll remember proudly. He started well with 2 star blocks on the first 5 plays. He seemed to have delivered a 3rd star-worthy combination block (Q1, 8:54), when he was flagged for a somewhat cheap tripping call. There did not seem to be intent, but Laurinaitis stumbled over his legs far from the play. Most of the pass rush damage he allowed came at the hands of 2nd-year star Aaron Donald including 2 pressures, half a sack, and 1/3 QH. He delivered 8 blocks in level 2 and had 3 pancakes.
Scoring: 72 plays, 58 blocks, 4 missed, 3.5 pressures, 2.67 (2 full + 2 x 1/3) QH, ½ sack, 1 tripping, 34 points (.47 per play). F. This would have been a failing grade even if the trip had not been called.
Urschel: John started and played the entire game at center. While he corrected his shotgun mechanics from the San Diego game, he had just a mediocre blocking game against the talented Rams front. He was flagged for holding Nick Fairly (Q2, 8:07), which might not have been called normally, but he was maintaining 1 side of the hole Forsett burst through. He failed to block Donald (Q1, 4:58) who tackled Forsett for a loss of 5 and broke his arm. John had 6 blocks in level 2 and 3 star blocks. His best block was a combination on Donald and then Ayers (Q2, 7:45) which opened space for Allen’s 17-yard run.
Scoring: 72 plays, 65 blocks, 4 missed, 2 penetrations, 1/3 QH, 1 holding, 54 points (.75 per play). He, like the other interior linemen got the largest adjustment for opposition of the year, making that a C.
Yanda: Marshal made it through another game without a pass rush event allowed. He was beaten inside by Donald (Q2, 3:23) who took down Allen for a loss of 2. That was his only negative event. He finished 10/10 on blocks in level 2, made his only pull, had 2 starred blocks, and delivered 2 pancakes.
Scoring: 72 plays, 68 blocks, 3 missed, 1 penetration, 66 points (.92 per play). That’s an A before adjustment, but an A+ considering the quality of competition. It’s the 2nd time this season he has earned that grade, although his game against Oakland had a higher raw score.
Wagner: Rick continued his in-season comeback with another solid game. He was the only lineman not beaten for a negative event by Donald. He allowed parts of 4 pass rush events, all to William Hayes. He made 9 blocks in level 2, including a pancake when he stayed ahead of the screen pass to Aiken (Q3, 14:33) which went for a gain of 18.
Scoring: 72 plays, 62 blocks, 6 missed, 1.5 pressures, 1.33 QHs, 55 points (.76 per play). That’s a B with adjustment.
Hurst: James replaced Monroe midway through the 3rd quarter and played OK, but his game will be remembered for “causing” Flacco’s season-ending injury. While he played a part, that tag isn’t entirely fair (see above). He had 1 block in level 2, but nothing I tagged with a star.
Scoring: 31 plays, 24 blocks, 5 missed, 1 pressure, 1/3 QH, 21 points (.68 per play). That’s a C with adjustment.
Flacco had ATS on 20 of 44 dropbacks (45%). Results by ATS:
Summarizing relative to expectation:
He benefitted from good YAC plays from Gillmore, Aiken, and Butler, but that’s still exceptional (in yardage terms) given the weapons on offense. Unfortunately he also threw 2 interceptions under moderate pressure.