Yes, the Ravens looked ugly in their 26-13 thumping to the Tennessee Titans.
Yes, the Titans outgained the Ravens by an eye-popping 203 yards.
And yes, we all logged off of the Internet travel sites before making our airplane and hotel reservations in Indianapolis for the Super Bowl next February.
But, in the words of that great sage, Earl Sidney Weaver, "You’re never as good as you look when you win, and never as bad as you look when you lose."
And that, dear readers, is the state of the 2011 Ravens after Week 2.
The Ravens’ deficiencies shown yesterday should not be considered "long-term" ills that will ruin the season.
The biggest problem yesterday, in this observer’s eyes, was the play of the offensive line. "Offensive" could not be a more apt term for their play yesterday. This unit was simply overwhelmed by Tennessee’s unheralded front seven. Tennessee harassed quarterback Joe Flacco all afternoon, sacking him three times, while holding Ravens’ running backs Ray Rice and Rickey Williams to a collective 2.6 yards per carry.
The Ravens’ offensive line’s poor play may be attributed to their lack of familiarity with each other. Remember, this unit is still in "preseason" mode when it comes to playing as a unit. This fivesome (six including the tight end) did not play one snap together in the preseason, and it came back to bite them in Nashville.
Why did this factor not bother the Ravens’ offensive line in the opening day win over the Steelers? Simple. That game was played on adrenaline and emotion – opening day … September 11 … against the hated Steelers. Technique and assignments took a back seat to "pound anyone in a black jersey" in that game.
However, the emotion and adrenaline of September 11 were not present on a routine sunny day in Nashville against a 0-1 team. That’s when the collective brain of the offensive line became a more prominent factor, and the inexperience of playing together showed.
The only way to fix this problem is for the offensive line to play more games as a unit. Considering that the preseason is four weeks long, the offensive line’s problems could exist for the next couple of weeks.
Next week, the Ravens travel to St. Louis to play the Rams. The Ravens’ "getting to know you" problems will likely be on full display in the passing game, as the Rams have an excellent pass rush (the Rams reached speedy Michael Vick of Philadelphia for three sacks in Week 1). Hopefully, Cam Cameron will turn running backs Rice and Williams loose on the Rams’ front seven – the Rams allowed a meaty 7.4 yards per carry against the Eagles. A "run first" game plan against St. Louis would allow the O-line to build up some confidence in the Ravens’ running attack, and muddle through pass protection schemes.
After St. Louis, the Ravens return to the Monument City to host the Jets. This game would mark the final week of the offensive line’s "preseason" and will also present a "monumental" test for the Ravens’ offensive line. Ravens’ fans are familiar with Rex Ryan’s high-voltage defensive schemes, which thus far have resulted in six quarterback sacks (led by former Raven Bart Scott’s two sacks) and a per-rush average of 3.3 yards. The Jets can both pressure the quarterback, and stop the run, and an "in progress" offensive line is not likely to stop the defenders in green.
Frankly, the Ravens are likely looking at a win in St. Louis, and a loss at home against the Jets. Yet, splitting four games while getting the offensive line together isn’t exactly shabby. And, after the game against the Jets, we shouldn’t see the Ravens’ offensive line struggle as they did against the Titans (and probably will against the Jets).
So, the Ravens’ most glaring deficiency shown yesterday should take care of itself in a few weeks. The second biggest problem that I saw – interceptions – is also likely a one-week malady.
Flacco had little time yesterday to throw; but, a fourth-year quarterback should know when to throw the ball into the tenth row as opposed to throwing into coverage. And Flacco knows better.
Number Five has avoided the interception bug. For his career, Flacco has an impressive interception rate of 2.4 percent. His two interceptions yesterday should be viewed as aberrant, unless he commences to repeat that performance weekly. However, a repeat is unlikely, as Flacco is most likely to conform to his career-long habit of avoiding turnovers.
Finally, the Ravens’ defense, or lack thereof, was a problem yesterday, especially against the short-yardage passing game executed brilliantly by Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. Tennessee gained over 400 yards against the Ravens’ defense, but the Ravens still picked off one of Hasselbeck’s passes, and held the Titans’ ground game to 2.6 yards per carry.
Even after yesterday’s debacle, the Ravens are still holding opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of 72.6, and opposing ground games to 3.1 yards per carry. Opponents are still only converting third downs against the Ravens 38 percent of the time, and that figure is likely to drop.
I would be more worried about another earthquake hitting the East Coast than I would be about the Ravens’ defense tanking this season.
The real reason for the Ravens’ poor play yesterday should be obvious – the Sports Illustrated cover jinx. Now in its sixth decade, the SI jinx is omnipotent, and should never be discounted. Here’s hoping that SI will fall in love with another NFL team (perhaps the Jets?) this season.
Lest we forget, the AFC North is not a strong division, and the Ravens’ schedule over the last 11 weeks is not imposing. Don’t be surprised if the Ravens are merely 2-3 after their game against the vastly improved Houston Texans; but don’t be surprised if the Ravens run the table in the 2011 regular season thereafter.
Put the Prozac away, Baltimore – it’s going to be fine.
