Where oh where have the big plays disappeared to?
The 2013 Ravens offense has yet to find their identify and at this point in the season I doubt they will. What you see is likely what you get as the team heads into their week 11 match-up against the Bears.
One item that has me scratching my head with this offensive unit is where have all the big plays disappeared to? I am not going to continue to beat the drum about the lack of a running game and a shoddy offensive line as they are certainly contributing factors, but what gives?
This season the Ravens have produced just 33 plays resulting in a gains of 20 or more yards from the line of scrimmage with two of those being run plays. Nineteen of those plays are in the range of 20-29 yards.
While Torrey Smith continues to get his catches and YAC (yards after catch), he leads the team with 15 receptions of 20 yards or more. His longest play from scrimmage this year and the team’s, came in week four against the Bills which went for 74 yards.
After being cut by the Ravens, Tandon Doss has found new life when the team re-signed him and remains one of Flacco’s go to guys. Doss ranks second on the team with six receptions of 20-plus yards including a 40 (Miami) and 63 (Green Bay) yard receptions.
Tight end Dallas Clark has been quiet this season however he has outplayed Ed Dickson (another story for another day). Clark has accounted for four receptions of 20 yards or more including a 45-yarder against Green Bay while Dickson has just one catch of 20-yards or more. Yes this team truly misses Dennis Pitta.
A bright spot for the Ravens this season has been the play of undrafted rookie Marlon Brown. While Brown is still building a rapport with Flacco he has shined. Besides leading the Ravens in touchdowns this year Brown is fourth on the team with three receptions of 20 or more yards including a 59 yarder against Green Bay. While I admit three catches of 20 or more yards is not much, I will gladly take that as he remains one of the Ravens legit red-zone threats.
Last year’s “Mile High Miracle” or whatever you choose to call it seems like an eternity ago for Jacoby Jones. While missing a few games with an injury this season Jones has yet to produce the “Big Play”. The speedster has registered just one catch over 20 yards (31 yards) coming in week one against Denver.
With six games remaining this season and some of those against decent secondaries the Ravens have their work cut out for them. The weather on Sunday in Chicago doesn’t look to favor the passing game, however crazy things can happen when the weather gets rough.
Right Denver?
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