OTL: Defense Impresses as Much Tougher Task Looms

I’ve been looking forward to this OTL ever since Sunday evening, as I have fully digested my thoughts on the Week 1 matchup with Houston. In short, there was little to truly excite fans, but enough to show we shouldn’t panic. The injuries are bad, but I think they’re casting a larger shadow over the win than is actually warranted.

Starting with the offense, I can’t say I was impressed with Todd Monken’s scheme so far. Sure, Zay Flowers looked electric, but it looked like they were forcing him the ball. I kept waiting for the deep shot to Rashod Bateman or Odell Beckham Jr, but it’d never really came.

At the same time, the unit was extending drives pretty regularly:

% of drives that went 3-and-out:

67% – CIN
64% – IND
62% – PHI
58% – NYG
55% – PIT
55% – MIN
54% – ATL
53% – JAX
50% – TB
50% – TEN
46% – NE
44% – SEA
42% – CAR
36% – BUF
36% – KC
36% – ARI
36% – DET
33% – CHI
33% – HOU
33% – DAL
31% – WAS
30% – LAC
27% – GB
27% – NYJ
25% – SF…

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) September 12, 2023

By the end of the season, I would be very happy with the Ravens finishing 4^th or 5^th in this statistic. While it doesn’t necessarily indicate the team’s getting on the scoreboard (Broncos/Raiders was low scoring), I do think the rankings will start to reflect total scoring. Three-and-outs are momentum killers, as well; in games against better opponents, it’ll be key to keep this number low.

The main question mark in my opinion is how the unit will adjust to the injuries. Lamar Jackson will be just fine, Mark Andrews will be back, the WRs will continue to produce, but the offensive line could be seeing major adjustments.

It’ll be difficult to replace the performance of Tyler Linderbaum while he’s out, and we must hope Ronnie Stanley’s injury is short-term:

Ravens C Tyler Linderbaum had the #1 offensive grade among centers in Week 1, per @PFF. pic.twitter.com/zwo2GOUZ06

— Ravens Nation LIVE (@LIVERavenNation) September 12, 2023

Interestingly, I’m not as concerned about losing JK Dobbins. Don’t get me wrong, I’m absolutely gutted for him and was so excited to watch him breakout this season. However, I think Baltimore is well-equipped to pivot.

Not buying any rumours that the #Ravens are looking into the FA RB market.

I don't see a scenario where another RB is brought in, unless there's additional guys lost

Melvin Gordon was on PS for a reason (though I do question what he can contribute) and Keaton Mitchell be coming

— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) September 12, 2023

As Cole says, it’s time for Keaton Mitchell to fulfill Ravens fans’ preseason hopes (once he’s off IR):

For any person saying the Ravens should call Leonard Fournette or Kareem Hunt…you will learn who Keaton Mitchell is soon
pic.twitter.com/chrPsXb6DX

— RAMEY (@HoodieRamey) September 12, 2023

Flipping to the defensive side, the Ravens made a few other moves in reaction to the Marcus Williams injury (which is also incredibly disappointing):

Duron Harmon has been one hell of a player in a 10-year career.

Headline stats are 10 TDs allowed with 27 INTs.

He has been used almost exclusively as a free safety and has 0 career sacks.

He'll be 33 in Jan, but surprising quality player still available.#RavensFlock https://t.co/5j9U8bOtUK

— Ken McKusick (@FilmstudyRavens) September 12, 2023

The Ravens are signing safety Duron Harmon to their practice squad

He’s an experienced player with championship experience, and should help fill the void left by Marcus Williams for as long as he’s out pic.twitter.com/6P7h7XUkSJ

— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) September 12, 2023

Looking ahead, the defense is why I’m not too concerned for the future of this team; I really think Mike Macdonald’s unit could be elite, especially the way Patrick Queen played alongside Roquan Smith:

The Ravens inside linebackers are dominant and feed off each other.

Patrick Queen stuffs the edge, turns the runner inside for Roquan Smith to handle. Watch how fast Roquan reads this and fills the gap for a 4th down stop. pic.twitter.com/djBbV101wJ

— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) September 12, 2023

Roquan Smith set a Ravens franchise record for Week One with 16 tackles, one sack, and two tackles for loss. pic.twitter.com/siZu3QzsnY

— Radi Nabulsi (@RadiNabulsi) September 12, 2023

They’re fast and smart, and they’ll be ready to burst through any holes vacated by O-Linemen trying to stop a surprisingly impressive Ravens pass rush. Dare I say that pass rush was led by Jadeveon Clowney?

If Odafe Oweh, David Ojabo and Jadeveon Clowney continue to cause pressures how they did in Week 1, QBs should be worried when playing Baltimore pic.twitter.com/SekEYTLUhY

— The Ravens Realm (@RealmRavens) September 12, 2023

It didn't show up on the stat sheet, but Jadaveon Clowney had one hell of a game for the #Ravens.

Consistent disruption. 2 missed tackles on sack opportunities, which need to be cleaned up of course.

If he converts those sacks there'd be a lot more buzz. Really solid though.

— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) September 12, 2023

The former top overall draft pick looked awesome on Sunday, albeit against a poor O-Line, generating pressure after pressure and setting the edge well. If he steps up, Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo will have a little less on their shoulders and could benefit.

Despite that, the Ravens are still underdogs heading into Cincinnati. If I were a betting man, I’d be on the side of Baltimore:

The Ravens are 3.5-point underdogs at the Bengals, per @CaesarsSports.

Lamar Jackson has the 2nd-best outright record as an underdog in the Super Bowl era, per @ESPNStatsInfo. He's 8-4 (.667).

The only QB with better outright record as an underdog is Jimmy Garoppolo (13-5).

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 12, 2023

This could be a pivotal game early in the year for the Ravens. With two more road divisional matchups looming, it’ll be key to get off to a hot start. A win here could send them on their way, while a loss could send them spiraling:

The Baltimore Ravens will win___of these games 👀 #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/c1cbv09ERW

— 𝙕𝙖𝙘𝙝🦦® (@NewEraZach) September 12, 2023