The consistency is finally starting to build in the Ravens trenches.
We’ve had a couple straight weeks of solid OL play, that I personally think got mischaracterized by pass catchers not getting open, resulting in the QB holding the ball a little longer.
In addition, even though we have seen dips in production from the edge rush group, we saw the interior pass rush, most notably Justin Madubuike, filling the void to maintain success as a unit.
The Ravens currently lead the NFL in sacks, averaging 3.9 per game. Interestingly enough, guess who is second? Oh yeah, the Seattle Seahawks, who have a very stout defense themselves.
You already know what I’m going to say… and I think you’re starting to believe me everytime I say it: This game will be won or lost in the trenches. Let’s break it down.
Stifling a Potent Pass Rush
It’s pretty interesting to see the way the Ravens and Seahawks pass rush game matches up. Both equally productive and both coming without any individual defender near the top of the league.
The Seahawks have eight players with two or more sacks. The Ravens have seven players with two or more sacks.
The Seahawks have two LBs with seven combined sacks (Brooks & Wagner) The Ravens have two LBs with six combined sacks (Roquan & Queen).
The Sehawks have a DB (Witherspoon) with two sacks. The Ravens have two DBs with at least two sacks (Hamilton & Maulet).
You get what I’m saying – this is a pass rush group that works together and doesn’t rely on a couple of studs like a Pittsburgh or a Cleveland.
So what do the Ravens need to do to prepare? Simply, they need to play assignment-sound football in their protection calls. Last week the line was challenged heavily by their offensive coordinator, who called a high amount of 5-0 (5 OL, no other blockers) protections.
They responded well, but I expect them to have to keep in a RB or TE a bit more against a defense that is going to send guys from all over the place. Luckily, the Ravens see this every week in practice going against their own Mike MacDonald.
In the run game, the Seahawks have a top 10 run defense while ranking 22nd against the pass (I know, shocking when they have a stud duo in Woolen and Witherspoon). This is a game where the offensive line are going to be challenged against a stout front seven with athletic LBs, which may cause issues for the zone run identity they’ve been trying to develop.
I’m expecting the Ravens to go to the pass game, and it’s going to be on the offensive line to make Lamar Jackson calm and cozy back there.
Get after Geno
I don’t think it’s fair to say that Geno Smith is poor under pressure because he performs better than most in the league when he is pressured. However, it is fair to say that Smith is lethal when kept clean. He owns a 76% completion percentage when he’s kept clean.
The Seahawks offensive line has been working through their own injury struggles. In 2022 the Seahawks drafted Abraham Lucas and Charles Cross as their bookends. Cross and Lucas both got hurt in Week 1, with Lucas winding up on the IR, while Cross missed only a few games.
Stone Forsythe covered LT until Cross came back and is now at RT. Evan Brown has missed. Anthony Bradford has missed time. In fact, the only guy to play in all seven games this year is Forsythe and that came at two different tackle positions.
That said, they deserve a ton of credit for jelling quickly, especially the interior. The RT spot has been a bit of a roller coaster. Jake Curhan manned the position, while Forsythe was at LT, and struggled mightly. He’s back on the bench with Cross back and it’s much more stable.
Inside, Evan Brown has been one of the best centers in football from a production standpoint and Damien Lewis is taking steps forward to develop some consistently.
The Seahawks are going to use five-man protections at a higher rate than most given how often they get out in spread looks.
I expect a very similar look as the Cincinnati Bengals, and that plays well into Mike MacDonald’s hands.
My take is that they need to attack that ride side of the offensive line. Using their sim pressures, I’d try and overload to create 1-on-1 looks between Jadeveon Clowney and Forsythe. His anchor will be a tough matchup for Clowney. Additionally, getting their OGs in space against Justin Madubuike will create favorable matchups for the defense.
This is a matchup that we need the Ravens DL to dominate and I think they’re in a position to do so. Stunting Kenneth Walker and forcing that dropback pass game with 5-0 protections will lead to success for Baltimore.
