As fellow RSR writer Kyle Casey pointed out in his latest Tale of the Tape post, the Rams have a very formidable defensive front.
On Saturday, the Ravens offense, particularly, left tackle Eugene Monroe, received some good news that DE Robert Quinn (hip/back) has been downgraded from questionable to out on Sunday.
Monroe, who has struggled even when healthy, is coming off one of his best performances of the season against Jacksonville as he, Rick Wagner and Marshal Yanda all graded out among the league’s best in Week 10.
The loss of Quinn, the Rams second-best pass rusher (five sacks) only to Aaron Donald (six sacks) could be game changer for the Ravens 10th ranked offense battling the Rams sixth ranked defense (17th vs. run, 5th vs. pass). Quinn along with Donald have played a big part in the Rams defensive success.
It won’t be an easy task to move the ball against the Rams by any means as the Ravens are facing their own injury issues along the offensive line.
Starting center Jeremy Zuttah is out for the season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle against the Jaguars and John Urschel has been designated as his replacement moving forward.
A few weeks ago, Urschel struggled in spot duty for Zuttah with his snaps in the shotgun but after a week of getting starter reps in practice, the second-year player said his confidence is high.
“I feel well prepared,” stated John Urschel to the media on Wednesday. “It’s something I work on everyday – shotgun snapping – and I work to get better at it. I’m improving.”
Another issue facing the Ravens offensive line is the status of left guard Kelechi Osemele.
Osemele (knee), didn’t practice on Wednesday, returned on Thursday but was again absent from practice on Friday and is listed as questionable today.
Casey pointed out that Donald would already be a handful for Yanda, Urschel and Osemele and if K.O. can’t go it’s possible the Ravens could turn to third-year player Ryan Jensen, who has both center and guard experience.
While it remains to be seen who suits up on the Ravens offensive line, it’s going to be a battle.
The old adage that football games are won and lost in the trenches will be on full display at M&T Bank Stadium as the Ravens look to avoid their first 2-8 start in franchise history.
Follow me on Twitter @sportguyRSR
