About Dev Panchwagh

Dev Panchwagh is a versatile analyst who breaks down the Xs and Os of the game and has been a columnist/analyst for Ravens24x7.com since the summer of 2004. In his regular season column Battle Plans, Dev highlights the Ravens' keys to success against each upcoming opponent. Dev started modestly as a sports journalist, but his contributions to sports talk radio were noticed, leading to duties as a regular columnist for the Scouts.com network before joining RSR. It would be very difficult to find his rare combination of youthfulness, knowledge and insight in all facets of football anywhere else. Fortunately, Dev brings it here each and every week.

Battle Plans: Ravens @ Jaguars

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Dev Panchwagh

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Offense 1. Spread the field on early downs Until last Sunday’s letdown against Pittsburgh, Jacksonville has been playing well against the run. The Jaguars’ front seven plays with discipline and excellent technique. Built in the mold of a Jack Del Rio defense, the Jaguars look to stop the run on early downs, and they play zone coverage on third down, looking to keep the big play contained. The Ravens are a predominant run first team on first down. However, in this game, trying to establish the run on early downs … Continue reading →

Battle Plans: Texans vs. Ravens

Posted on October 14, 2011 by Dev Panchwagh

Offense 1. Protect the front Believe it or not, without Super Mario, the Houston edge rush remains a concern. The Texans present a challenge to the Baltimore line – especially backed by defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ bag of tricks. Between outside linebacker Connor Barwin, and defensive ends J.J. Watt and Antonio Smith, Phillips has a group of up-field rushers that can split gaps and disrupt plays in the backfield. The task for the Baltimore offense will be to find a way to slow down these rushers. The Ravens used an … Continue reading →

Battle Plans: Ravens vs. Jets

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Dev Panchwagh

Offense 1. Prepare for zone looks In light of the way the quarterback Joe Flacco has performed against the blitz in two contests against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the St. Louis Rams, there is a chance that Rex Ryan might pull back on some of his aggressive tactics. Flacco has been cool under pressure, and the Ravens have been able to pick up the blitz effectively. When Flacco has struggled, it has been against zone looks in which the coverage changes after the snap. The Jets are known for playing … Continue reading →

BATTLE PLANS: Ravens @ Rams

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Dev Panchwagh

Offense 1. Quick hitters Under head coach Steve Spagnuolo, the Rams play a similar style of defense to his former team, the New York Giants. Although they rely on their front four to get after the quarterback, they will bring pressure through blitzing linebackers and defensive backs. Last Sunday against the Titans, quarterback Joe Flacco got a lot of blitz looks, but the Titans ultimately bluffed the blitz in most passing situations. Those looks created some problems for Flacco who had a pre-snap blitz read, only to find the blitzers … Continue reading →

Battle Plans: Ravens @ Titans

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Dev Panchwagh

Offense 1. Two tight, one-wide formations The Ravens broke out their newly minted tight ends in grand fashion against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Second-year players Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta combined for 7 catches and 104 yards and a score. Two of their biggest catches came of play-action on first down, after the defense forced a turnover. Having both of these players on the field at the same time gives the Ravens a run-heavy look, but affords the offense the flexibility to pass off of run action. Either player has the … Continue reading →

BATTLE PLANS: Ravens v. Steelers

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Dev Panchwagh

Offense 1. Single back set on first and second down; two back set on third-and-long Last season, three of the four teams that beat the Steelers set up in a one back, shotgun set on most early downs. Those teams – the Saints, Patriots and Packers – featured variations of three receiver, four receiver, and two-tight end formations to make plays in the passing game. The act of spreading the Steelers out on first and second down not only created matchup problems for the base defense, but kept the vaunted … Continue reading →

BATTLE PLANS: Divisional Playoff Ravens @ Steelers

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Dev Panchwagh

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Offense 1. Polamalu out of the box: It is a mystery as to how the Ravens had such a hard time identifying a player who wears a mountain of hair under his helmet. The Steeler great has confounded the Baltimore offense just as recently as in Week 13 of the season. Everyone remembers his strip/sack play of Joe Flacco in Baltimore. But during the regular season game in Pittsburgh, Polamalu lined up to blitz off-tackle numerous times, including a rush that came directly in Flacco’s sightline. Yet in every instance, … Continue reading →

WILD CARD BATTLE PLANS: Ravens @ Chiefs

Posted on January 8, 2011 by Dev Panchwagh

Offense 1. Throw from power sets: The Chiefs are gunning for the run, especially after being dismantled by the Oakland ground attack last Sunday. The Ravens should show run, only to pass against the Kansas City base defense. In 2009, the Ravens started their game against Kansas City by showing run-action, only to throw off of the play-fake. It’s not just a matter of using a fake while the line is stationary. The illusion of run-action goes to the way the guards may pull seemingly to block for a run … Continue reading →

BATTLE PLANS: Ravens v. Bengals

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Dev Panchwagh

Offense 1. Open attack: Although this is a decimated version of the Cincinnati defenses that the Ravens have faced in the past, the scheme will remain the same on Sunday afternoon. The Baltimore offense will get its best chance to attack a two-deep shell before the postseason begins. Since the four interception performance by quarterback Joe Flacco, he has fared much better against zone defenses, including Atlanta, Carolina, and Tampa Bay. Still, the Bengals have had Flacco’s number. In his last three games against this unit, he has thrown eight … Continue reading →

BATTLE PLANS: Ravens @ Texans

Posted on December 13, 2010 by Dev Panchwagh

Offense 1. Hog the ball: The Ravens have traditionally been slow starters out of the gate. Against the Texans, a slow start could lead to more of a back-and-forth game. Baltimore has to find a way to establish an early lead by putting together time consuming drives. Ideally, the Ravens would be able to put points up on the board while draining the clock, thereby keeping the high-powered Houston offense off the field. The Ravens had lost their ability to eat the clock through the last couple of games. They … Continue reading →

BATTLE PLANS: Ravens v. Steelers II

Posted on December 4, 2010 by Dev Panchwagh

Offense 1. Three wide, shotgun set: There are as many storylines as there are Pro Bowl players to line up on Sunday night. Among the key concerns is whether fullback Le’Ron McClain will line up at fullback when the grudge match between AFC North rivals ensues. Given McClain’s potential unavailability, the offense will have to operate from more spread formations. Against Pittsburgh, the formation of choice would be a shotgun set in which T.J. Houshmandzadeh is the third receiver, and the backs next to quarterback Joe Flacco are tailback Ray … Continue reading →

BATTLE PLANS: Ravens v. Bucs

Posted on November 28, 2010 by Dev Panchwagh

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Offense 1. Run/Pass Read: Tampa Bay lines up in a base Cover 2 look on most downs. However, in this game against the Ravens, the Bucs may show more Cover 3 with the strong safety dropping closer to the line. Tampa Bay has struggled to stop the run all season, so they could use an eighth man to defend the Baltimore tailbacks. It will be up to Joe Flacco to make the right adjustment at the line depending on how the safeties are positioned. If he is facing the Cover … Continue reading →

BATTLE PLANS: Ravens @ Panthers

Posted on November 21, 2010 by Dev Panchwagh

Offense 1. Fast and furious: The Ravens have been absolutely dreadful coming out of the blocks on the road. The stats are staggering, including going scoreless in the first quarter in four out of five road games they have played this season. That trend needs to change against Carolina on Sunday. The Ravens should look to pass on first down and establish a rhythm with quarterback Joe Flacco with pass completions off of play-action. Play-action fakes should be effective against a defense that will commit much of its attention to … Continue reading →

BATTLE PLANS: Ravens @ Falcons

Posted on November 11, 2010 by Dev Panchwagh

Offense 1. Control the clock: One of the biggest keys for success against Atlanta is controlling the tempo and time of possession. On Thursday night, the best defense against a high-powered Atlanta offense will inevitably be a ball-control, clock churning offense. In order to hog the ball, offensive coordinator Cam Cameron should devise a game plan that features plenty of intermediate pass plays and carries to the backs. While finishing these drives will be equally important, the offense has to stay on the field to keep the defense fresh and … Continue reading →

BATTLE PLANS: Ravens v. Dolphins

Posted on November 6, 2010 by Dev Panchwagh

Offense 1) Throw away from Vontae Davis: Although the Miami secondary is potentially vulnerable, the second-year cornerback is not someone who can be picked on. Davis has emerged as a tough man-to-man cover corner who has been able to slow down most of the receivers he has faced this season. Davis is also a capable playmaker with the ball skills to make a play on the ball. On the other hand, the corners opposite of Davis can be exposed. Quarterback Joe Flacco will need to make a concerted effort … Continue reading →

BATTLE PLANS: Ravens v. Bills

Posted on October 23, 2010 by Dev Panchwagh

Offense 1. Attack from the jump: The Ravens remain a predominant first down rushing attack. There has been very little change up in their approach. They run the ball up the gut with Ray Rice, hoping for a quick three or four yard gain. Opposing defenses are packed in to stop the Baltimore rushing attack and more times than not, they hold the Ravens to a modest gain. On first down, the Ravens need to take advantage of their natural play-action opportunities. They don’t need to set up the pass … Continue reading →

BATTLE PLANS: Ravens @ Patriots

Posted on October 17, 2010 by Dev Panchwagh

Battle Plans: Ravens vs. Patriots Offense 1) Control the clock: In last year’s playoff domination of the New England Patriots, the Ravens were able to hog the ball and control the time of possession battle. The same formula for success would have to apply this Sunday. In particular, the Ravens will have to find a way to move the chains on the ground. This would call for the offensive line to get movement at the point of attack. The biggest obstacle will be nose guard Vince Wilfork. The Patriots main … Continue reading →

BATTLE PLANS: Ravens v. Broncos

Posted on October 10, 2010 by Dev Panchwagh

Offense 1. Find Brian Dawkins: One of the big keys for success in the Ravens’ 30-7 romp over Denver a year ago had to do with their ability to complete timely passes against a tough Denver secondary. In particular, quarterback Joe Flacco did an outstanding job of recognizing the Cover One look that Denver employs quite often. Given safety Brian Dawkins’ ability to blitz and stuff the run, Denver will use him as a box player. Once he shifts from the deep half closer to the line of scrimmage, one … Continue reading →

BATTLE PLANS: Ravens @ Steelers

Posted on October 3, 2010 by Dev Panchwagh

Offense 1. Pass the ball on early downs: Winning the down-and-distance battle against the men of steel is absolutely critical. For an offense, not being on schedule toward third down conversions means being in danger against an opportunistic defense. The Steelers absolutely thrive in obvious passing situations. For the Ravens, gaining yardage on first and second down is a must. However, they won’t be able to consistently gain yardage through the running game, as the Steelers are the best early down run defense in the league. Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron … Continue reading →

BATTLE PLANS: Ravens v. Browns

Posted on September 25, 2010 by Dev Panchwagh

Offense 1. No-huddle offense: The Ravens operated from a hurry-up, no huddle attack through their opening series in games against Carolina, Washington, and New York. One would have thought they were gearing up to use that approach in their opening tilts against the Jets and the Bengals. However, the offense huddled up in those games, perhaps in anticipation of the crowd noise. Now that the team will be at home against the Browns, there is a perfect opportunity to breakout their speed offense. Moreover, if the Ravens use this attack … Continue reading →