Ravens Offense
1) Hot reads and quick drops: Much like the Cincinnati Bengals, the Jets are not shy about stacking the line-of-scrimmage with extra defenders to bring pressure against a quarterback. In fact, blitzing is perhaps the only way that New York can apply pressure, as the Jets do not have the horses up front to win one-on-one matchups.
It would behoove the Ravens to take a page out of the cheating Patriots game plan against the Jets. New England set up primarily out a shotgun set in passing situations, allowing Tom Brady to get a better look at the coverage schemes and locate which defenders were coming. Once the ball was snapped, Brady got rid of it quickly, generally targeting the vacated areas where the blitzers came from. He also attacked the perimeter, when the corners left a cushion underneath.
Whoever the Ravens’ quarterback is – McNair or Boller – will need to make adjustments at the line, be comfortable operating out of a gun and get rid of the ball quickly to hit the hot routes.
The Jets won’t give the quarterback the chance to take deep five-to-seven step drops.
2) Extra blockers: Without Ogden in the lineup, the Ravens will need to be a bit more conservative with their method of attack, until the young line gels.
This is not to say that the Ravens should not spread out of their formations at any point, but when they do, they need to pick their spots carefully.
The backs and the tight ends will need to have active roles as blockers on Sunday. When they aren’t in the backfield to help block an extra rusher or two, they will need to chip their man before releasing into the open field.
Moving the line and using misdirection play-action passes are also good plays to run in order to keep the Jets’ pass rush off balance, and perhaps more importantly, keep the line from having to block for too long.
3) McGahee’s time to shine: While McGahee may not have gotten the amount of carries that he deserved to receive on Monday night, there should be no excuse for him to not touch the ball more than 20-to-25 times against the Jets.
The former Buffalo Bill has been a money performer against the Gang Green. In his past five meetings against the Jets, McGahee has averaged roughly 132 yards per game. In ‘06, McGahee rushed for a total of 275 yards in two games against New York.
Note to Brian Billick: Lean on your workhorse, especially during the fourth quarter. And if the Jets’ stuff eight or nine defenders to stymie the Baltimore rush attack, the Ravens will have prime opportunities to strike through the air off of play-action fakes.
Ravens Defense
1) Defend the spread: To counter New England’s hybrid pass-rushing fronts, the Jets used a lot of one-back sets and forced the Patriot linebackers to cover in space.
Their strategy did work for about a half, until the New York defense crumbled and the Jets had to play catch up.
Considering how close the Patriots and Ravens are from a schematic point of view, the Baltimore defensive coaches should expect the same line of attack against them. In fact, they are already somewhat prepared to face the spread after their encounter with Cincinnati.
In general, the Ravens should hold up well in their base set against the Jets’ three wide packages. However, they will probably need to sprinkle in some nickel looks, especially in long conversion situations.
This could also be a game in which Terrell Suggs plays more of a pivotal role in coverage, as he could drop into the flat area and use his long arms to squeeze the throwing lanes underneath.
2) Backs in the flat: In Thomas Jones and Leon Washington, the Jets have two capable pass catchers that have the potential to impact in the passing game. Washington, especially, is skilled enough that New York has lined him up as a flanker receiver.
It is key that the Raven linebackers are aware of where either player is positioned all times. There is little doubt that the Jets will run screen and swing passes to their backs to slow down the Baltimore pass-rush. They will also want to get their backs in the open field to gain yards after the catch.
Against Jones and Washington, the defenders will need to be physical and take proper angles in pursuit.
3) Beware of Clemens: Even though starter Chad Pennington will be out for this contest, the Ravens defense cannot relax. Pennington’s replacement, Kellen Clemens, is an unknown entity at the quarterback position. Given that the coaches have little tape on the second-year player, they may underestimate his ability to complete certain throws, and make certain plays that Pennington could not.
That said, Baltimore still has the advantage. Clemens has little prep time before facing one of the most confusing defensive schemes he will see at any point in his young career. The defense just needs to play their game and see how Clemmons reacts under fire.
One-on-one Matchup to Watch: Terrell Suggs versus D’Brickashaw Ferguson: Suggs had a strong game against the Bengals, but he was unable to register a couple of sacks against Carson Palmer, despite being a split second away from applying the hit. Suggs will be gunning for his first sack of the year against a first time starting quarterback. Ferguson has the task of keeping Clemens upright on Sunday afternoon. While the second-year pro lacks a mean streak, he is a solid pass blocker who uses his long arms to keep edge rushers from getting around him. Suggs will need to use effective counter moves to get Ferguson out of position.
