Quarterback: B-
Joe Flacco had a nearly flawless first half, throwing for 200+ yards with 2 TD’s and zero turnovers. He was on track for a phenomenal game.
Then came the second half.
Three straight drives to start the half, three straight turnovers for Flacco. Sure the 1st interception was dumb luck (hit Kamar Aiken’s hands, bounced up and into the hands of House) and the second pick appeared to be a miscommunication between Joe and Chris Givens, but that third turnover (fumble) was a result of Joe holding onto the ball far too long with some extremely lazy ball security (one handed, down by his side, with 4 defenders within arm’s reach).
Still, another 300+ yards and 3 TD’s sans Smitty is not too shabby…
At least there were no back-foot throws?
Running backs: C+
The backs weren’t asked to do too much in the first half, but were solid when called upon.
In the second half we got to see more attempts for the duo (14) but still, the overall 3.8ypc left something to be desired.
The sole bright spot in the running game came in the 4th quarter with the Ravens facing a 3rd and 1 from the Jacksonville 18. Javorius Allen goes near side, shoves off a defender four yards behind the 1st down marker, then splits two others and fights his way for the 1st down. The very next play? Flacco to Givens for 6.
Wide receivers/Tight ends: B+
A mixed bag of production by the receivers in today’s loss.
Tight Ends: While Maxx Williams and Crockett Gillmore both found the end zone, Nick Boyle drew the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ with his catch-and-hurdle play in the first quarter.
Aiken was the top target for Flacco with Smitty out. He racked up some good numbers overall (7 for 73 yards) but also watched a few passes sail through his hands early, and his deflection into the air on the opening drive of the second half contributed to the eventual House interception.
Every other WR not named Aiken totaled six catches for 68 yards. I think that speaks for itself. Yes, Givens found the end zone, but he and Flacco were obviously out of sync all game with several questionable routes, one of which led to the second Flacco pick.
Offensive line: C+
In the passing game, the line managed to keep Flacco upright most of the day, as he only absorbed one sack, which came on the strip sack/fumble caused by Paul Pozluzny. And realistically, that was more of a coverage sack than anything, as Joe hung in the pocket far too long.
In the run game, the line was much less productive, as Allen and Justin Forsett combined for a total of 72 yards on 19 carries, and even that line is deceptive, as a couple of those longer rushes came around the outside and not through the line itself.
Grade aside, seeing Jeremy Zuttah go down once again late in the game will be concerning moving forward if it amounts to an extended absence.
Defensive line: C+
Overall the line played fairly well.
Led by Brandon Williams (1 sack, 2 tackles for loss), the line was able to keep T.J. Yeldon (18 carries, 68 yards) in check for most of the game.
Linebackers: C-
Elvis Dumervil disaster aside, the group had a great game. But ultimately when you cost the team a win with a boneheaded penalty? It’s a bad look overall…
OLB Courtney Upshaw started the game on a high note for this group in the first series of the game, by bulldozing his way into the backfield and knocking down Blake Bortles in the action of passing and nearly caused a fumble.
After that the group continued to stay strong all game long, with solid games by C.J. Mosley (2 TFL), Daryl Smith, Upshaw and Dumervil (2 sacks).
Then there was the Dumervil disaster.
With literally half of a second left in the game, the Jags snapped the ball. Dumervil immediately found his way into the backfield, as nobody else on the line – for either team – thought the snap got off in time. Instead of wrapping Bortles and dragging him down, Dumervil proceeded to grab his facemask, allowing for one untimed play.
We all know what happened next.
Defensive Backs: C-
Lardarius Webb was the sole bright spot in the secondary today, as he reeled in the team’s first interception in 5 weeks. Pick aside, he played very solid coverage and forced Bortles to thread the needle all game.
Then there’s the rest.
Will Hill cost the team with a (questionable) personal foul for hitting a defenseless receiver. Jimmy Smith fell down on the Allen Hurns touchdown catch, and got flagged for DPI (27 yards) on a Jags field goal drive. Shareece Wright got burned on the 2nd touchdown by Bortles.
And then there’s Kendrick Lewis, who not only got smacked with a personal foul penalty of his own, but also had the game sealing interception in his hands… and dropped it.
Special Teams: C-
Miscues all over the place in Special Teams as well.
Tucker missed yet another FG (granted it was a 58-yard attempt at the end of the half with the wind blowing it just to the right of the upright), which is becoming quite the disturbing trend this season…
As for the return crew, Raheem Mostert only had one shot at a kickoff return and took advantage of it with a 50-yard sprint, and Jeremy Ross had himself a pretty good game in the punt returns… until he didn’t when he misjudged a punt in the 3rd quarter. Ross had to back track on the punt like a centerfielder making a basket catch over his shoulder, only to muff it right into the hands of Jacksonville and costing the Ravens an opportunity to add to their lead at the time.
Team: C
Homework:
- Don’t point fingers and keep a positive attitude.
- Keep the amnesia game strong (forget it and move on).
Player of the game: Lardarius Webb
Game balls:
- Offense: Kamar Aiken
- Defense: Lardarius Webb
- Special Teams: Sam Koch
Stat of the game: The Jacksonville Jaguars won their first road game in their last 14 attempts.
Next exam: Sunday, November 22, vs. the St Louis Rams
