Quarterback: B
Joe Flacco started the game well, making quick reads and throws, and had good ball placement throughout the night. When it was 3rd-and-6 deep in his own territory, Flacco hit Steve Smith, Sr. in stride for the first down, even though he was covered tightly by Patrick Peterson.
He showed good mobility and command of the offense in the face of constant pressure and behind below average pass blocking.
The interception to end the game was bad, however Flacco’s overall performance was anything but.
Running backs: A
Nothing new here, but Baltimore’s running backs continue to impress despite an inexplicable discrepancy of run plays to pass plays (16 rushes, 40 passes).
On the first two plays of the night, Kyle Juszczyk caught an 11-yard pass and Justin Forsett ran for an 11-yard gain. They were playing with purpose. However, Marc Trestman saw fit to, once again, go away from a successful running game.
Buck Allen was averaging 4.6 yards per carry entering Monday night, and against the Cardinals, he gained 8.3 yards per carry.
As a whole, they showed impressive toughness, speed, and elusiveness. All of which were encapsulated by Forsett’s 14-yard touchdown.
Wide receivers/Tight ends: C+
Besides Smith, Sr., this group has to be better. Smith, Sr. did his part, gaining 78 yards on five receptions for an average gain of 15.6 yards. Besides him, the entire Ravens team averaged 8.3 yards per reception.
Add in some drops and you get another average performance from this group thanks only to Senior.
They blocked well, but that’s not what the primary purpose of their paychecks. Chris Givens and Crockett Gillmore each made big receptions on Baltimore’s final drive, but it wasn’t enough.
Offensive line: C-
On their first drive, the Ravens offensive line looked great. They looked determined and played with urgency.
After that, their performance was just not good. They allowed too much penetration and were getting pushed around all throughout the second quarter.
On the first drive of the third quarter, Eugene Monroe got abused by Dwight Freeney, as Freeney sacked Flacco to end the drive. Monroe (and Kelechi Osemele) both had to leave the game due to injury.
Baltimore called an overwhelming majority of passing plays, which can make it tough for an offensive line to get in rhythm. That said, their performance Monday night could’ve been much better.
Defensive line: B+
Early on, Baltimore’s defensive line was getting decent penetration, but gave up too much in the run game. Chris Johnson‘s 26-yard touchdown was the product of over-running gaps and a very athletic play by the running back.
After that bust, this group settled down and played to the high level they’ve been playing for most of the season. A big reason for that was the return of Chris Canty, who made multiple big plays and gave the Cardinals’ offensive linemen fits.
The Johnson 62-yard run is more of a fluke than anything. His momentum was nearly stopped, and Brandon Williams had him completely wrapped up. That’s not an indictment of the defensive line’s performance. If anything the defensive line kept the Ravens in the game, particularly those impressive goal line stands. On eight plays inside the Baltimore 10-yard line, Arizona gained only 12 yards.
Linebackers: C+
On Arizona’s first drive of the game, on a third down play in field goal range, Carson Palmer evaded the pass rush of C.J. Mosley. However, Mosley continued to pursue Palmer and eventually sacked him for a three-yard loss.
On the next play, Chandler Catanzaro missed a 55-yard field goal, a kick that may have been good if he was three yards closer.
Besides that big play, the linebackers’ performance was kind of a mixed bag. On one hand there was Elvis Dumervil missing a tackle on Johnson’s touchdown run, yet he was menacing all night while disrupting the Cardinals’ passing game.
Some linebackers did get stuck on blocks, but near the goal line, they shot the gaps and made big plays in the backfield. Mosley (two), Courtney Upshaw, and Zachary Orr all made tackles for loss.
Outside of a few splash plays, this unit played well.
Defensive Backs: D
Two things come to mind when I think of how Baltimore’s defensive backs played against Arizona:
- Too much cushion given
- Too many missed tackles
Brynden Trawick played with good effort, but didn’t produce results. On Arizona’s first touchdown drive, he was torched by Jermaine Gresham for 21 yards. Then, two plays later, he badly missed a tackle on Johnson before Johnson ran into the end zone.
Later, on Arizona’s second touchdown drive, Trawick committed pass interference against Gresham in the end zone, which gave the Cardinals 1st-and-goal from the 1-yard line. They scored three plays later.
Trawick wasn’t alone. Jimmy Smith was targeted, as was Lardarius Webb. Neither of those two players made an impact on the game, and they are supposed to be the best players in Baltimore’s secondary.
Smith and Webb account for $12.85 million against Baltimore’s salary cap this year. That lack of production from players making that kind of money is inexcusable.
Special Teams: B+
I wonder if I should just stop mentioning Sam Koch‘s name and just assume he nets over 45 yards per punt (which he did) and the coverage team holds an elite returner (Patrick Peterson, in this case) to an average in the single digits (which they did–6.3 yards per return by Peterson).
If it weren’t for a costly fumble by Jeremy Ross and a personal foul by Asa Jackson that gave the Cardinals the ball at the Ravens 12-yard line, this game tape would’ve been near perfect.
As it is, the entire unit played really well. Anthony Levine, Sr. made a nice tackle on Peterson when it looked like he might bust a big return. Justin Tucker nailed a 44-yard field goal, which was the first time Baltimore scored on its first drive all year.
Early in the second quarter, Darren Waller tracked Koch’s punt to the very edge of the goal line and tipped it back so that Mosley could down it at the 1-yard line. Then, on the play of the game, Jackson rushed right up the middle to block Drew Butler‘s punt. It was recovered by rookie running back Raheem Mostert at the Arizona 1-yard line.
What a thrill it must’ve been for that young man. After recovering the loose ball, he nearly scored, too.
Team: B-
Homework:
- Focus on today. As bad as things seem and as frustrated as you are, focus on today.
- Resolve to run the ball more. All of your running backs are playmakers. Give them a chance to make plays.
Player of the game: Chris Canty
Game balls:
- Offense: Joe Flacco
- Defense: Chris Canty
- Special Teams: Raheem Mostert
Stat of the game: The Ravens have now scored single-digit points in 11 consecutive quarters (not including the overtime period versus Cleveland).
Next exam: Sunday, November 1, vs. the San Diego Chargers
