Offense
1) Run deception: The play-action passing game is wide open for the Ravens on first down. Whether they are able to execute is a different story.
Thanks to the attention that the Baltimore rushing attack has garnered over the week, the Indianapolis defenders will have their eyes in the backfield. At times this season, they have bitten up field to defend the run. However, they also have the speed to recover and break on the ball if the pass is delivered late.
Joe Flacco’s timing will need to be impeccable when he turns his head to throw the ball.
Moreover, offensive coordinator Cam Cameron will have to sharply window-dress. In other words, the run-action has to mirror the down-and-pull running game that the Ravens have used so often on first down since the Detroit game.
However, this time, the pulling guard – whether it is Ben Grubbs or Marshal Yanda – will fly off-tackle to pick up the outside rusher, while fullback Le’Ron McClain will stay in front of Flacco to block or leak out as a dump-off option.
This first down play-action attack should be in play consistently, especially on the first couple of offensive series.
2) Chip blocking scheme: In the first matchup, the Baltimore tackles did a nice job of keeping edge rushers Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis at bay. They had some help, though.
Tight end Todd Heap and the backs were instrumental as chip blockers. Instead of staying in the tackle box, they made an initial hit and then released into their patterns.
The strategy worked well because the chip blocks slowed and redirected Freeney and Mathis, allowing the tackles to steer the ends away from Flacco.
Freeney and Mathis will adjust their pass-rushing technique to split the blocks. The chip blockers will probably have to stay in the backfield longer to protect the edge, and overall, the coordination between these blockers and the tackles will have to be in sync to contain the rushers.
3) Power football in the red zone: The Ravens cannot go 0-4 in the red zone as they did against Indianapolis nearly two months ago.
Since that game, the Ravens have improved dramatically in the red area. The offense has scored a touchdown nearly 55% of the time in the last seven games.
The biggest change has come from the rush offense, which has been unstoppable in short-yardage situations. The interior line play has improved, and the addition of Chris Chester and Haloti Ngata as extra blockers has created more of a push up front.
Cameron will rely on his re-mastered ground game to get the job done in the red zone. The big boys will have to win the battle against the speedy Indianapolis front, and overall, the offense has to finish drives.
Defense
1) Safety movement: Just as the cornerbacks will go back-and-forth between playing press and off coverage, the safeties will also vary their looks to keep Peyton Manning off-balance.
The safeties will have to adeptly time their movement after the ball is snapped. There is no point in the safeties moving to different landmarks before the snap, as Manning is quick to check to a different play to exploit the look.
Safeties Ed Reed and Dawan Landry will have to show Manning a look before the snap –single safety, high/low, Cover 2, zero coverage – and shift out of and into another coverage as Manning is dropping back to throw the ball.
2) Three safety package: Speaking of safety play, the Ravens will also need to feature Tom Zbikowski in a prominent way through its dime defense.
With three safeties on the field, the defense will have better flexibility to defend the Indy spread offense in passing situations.
When the Colts spread the field, they usually use a four-receiver look with tight end Dallas Clark as the flex player who operates from the slot or out wide. Clark is the player that Zbikowski should be primarily responsible for, while the other safeties are in deep support spots to help the corners over the top.
In addition, with Zbikowski on the field, the defense will have a better run defender on the field to help defend the run against Indy, when the Colts try to run the ball in obvious passing situations.
3) Edge rush: Simply put, it is nearly impossible to effectively pressure Manning. The four-time MVP has a quick release and his offensive line is a coordinated outfit.
However, when Manning has been rushed, pressure came from the outside. Opposing edge rushers did a good job of defeating blocks and got to Manning.
These moments have been rare, but they occurred because there are times when Manning will drop back too far. In those instances, Manning has the uncanny ability to throw the ball off his back foot when pressure is in his face.
It will be critical for the Baltimore outside rushers to catch Manning when he tries to buy some time by moving back or outside of the pocket.
In addition, the edge rushers should rush more often as stand-up defenders so they have better timing and a better angle to Manning’s launch pad.
