After an 18 carry, 36-yard performance by the rushing “attack” during the Week 3Â loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Baltimore Ravens run offense looked as grim as during the worst points in 2013.
The offensive linemen could not block, the ball carriers had nowhere to go and the run plays were frustratingly predictable.
Just days later, in Pittsburgh, the run offense exploded for a 191-yard performance, led by Justin Forsett‘s 150 yards on 27 carries. For the first time this season, the offensive game plan seemed balanced, and not coincidentally, the Ravens were finally victorious.
[Related: O-Line Solid Across the Board in Pittsburgh]
What worked to allow the run game to get back on track?
In the simplest sense, when each offensive lineman executes his block, good things are going to happen on the ground. This was the case on a Justin Forsett run that moved the offense more than 20 yards downfield.
Prior to Forsett receiving the handoff, the linemen are already working their way upfield.
Guards Marshal Yanda and Kelechi Osemele hit the second level to pave the way for Forsett, giving him options as he approaches the line of scrimmage.
The textbook blocking by the men up front gives Forsett options, and he trusts the interior duo of Osemele and Jeremy Zuttah enough to cut back toward the middle.
When all six Pittsburgh defenders in the area are blocked off, big runs are in store.
Forsett patiently waits for the run lane to continue to open and he methodically cuts right off the shoulder of the blocker, finding open field for a substantial gain.
During the first three games of the season, run lanes as simple as this for the running backs were nonexistent. But on drive after drive against Pittsburgh, Baltimore’s blockers had their way with the opposition.
Rookie Buck Allen was also a beneficiary of the quality blocking in front of him. Here, on a run to the left, the blocks by Osemele, Zuttah, James Hurst and Maxx Williams give the ball carrier a trio of run-lane options.
Allen awaits the opening between Osemele and Zuttah, and works through the line unscathed.
After maneuvering through the run lane, Allen has open field to work with, but an oncoming defender from his right side outpaces right tackle Ricky Wagner to slow down the running back. Allen still nets over 10 yards on the play, however.
The Ravens have a talented and diverse trio of running backs in Forsett, Allen and Lorenzo Taliaferro. All three bring a different dynamic to the offense, and when they get in their groove, 190-yard games on the ground by the team are not unrealistic.
But the Steelers game, so far, has been the exception to the rule, as all three struggled prior to Week 4 due largely in part to incompetent blocking up front. In order to put together a string of wins and regain control of their season, the Ravens desperately need the offensive line to deliver these kinds of flawless outings in run blocking on a regular basis.
Last Thursday was a step in the right direction for the Ravens running game, but can the big men up front continue to give the running backs opportunities?
