There’s nothing about the Baltimore Ravens that is orthodox. Not in 2023. Not in a very long time. They just seem to do things a bit differently. Their GPS is a bit different than every other team. But in the NFL, the road traveled isn’t as important as the destination and at the end of the day the target is a win. And so far in 2023, the Ravens win as successfully as any team, even if their journey is a bit more adventurous than the norm.
With their 23-7 win in Jacksonville, the Ravens maintain a grip on the AFC’s No. 1 seed while being the first team in the conference to punch their ticket to the postseason dance. But it wasn’t always pretty and it times, it was rather strange.
Entering the game, the Jaguars had fielded the league’s 31st best (aka second worst) pass defense, complemented by the NFL’s 4th best rush defense. During their previous three games, the Jaguars had given up on average 410.7 yards per game, 301 by air (73.2%), 109.7 by ground (26.8%). So, what do the Ravens do? They rushed for 251 yards (63.4%) and threw it for 145 (36.6%).
Unorthodox.
Unconventional.
Ravens football.
THE GOOD
The ground game was spectacular, particularly in the second half when the Ravens rushed for 204 yards. Don’t look it up. This number is NOT a misprint. Lamar Jackson did his thing (97 yards); Gus Edwards moved humanity in the trenches (58 yards); Justice Hill slashed for 23 yards while Keaton Mitchell attacked the edges for 73 yards, a number that could have been much bigger had he not suffered a horrific knee injury that ended his season. Hill was also great in pass pro..Patrick Ricard is such an awesome football player. He’s a quiet difference maker and when he’s on the field, either good things happen or bad things aren’t quite so terrible…Isaiah Likely led all Ravens pass catchers with 5 catches for 70 yards and a score. His highly contested catch should be something that OC Todd Monken can build upon while expanding the trust he’s earned from Lamar…Charlie Kolar made a nice catch in traffic to set the Ravens up with a first-and-goal at the 3YL…Rashod Bateman collected three tosses from Lamar, two of which moved the chains while the third set the Ravens up for a favorable second-and-short…the Ravens interior line was solid in pass pro and they were the engine behind the 251 yards of ground and pound…The Ravens controlled the ball for 20:30 to the Jaguars 9:30 in the second half.
This is one of the best plays of Lamar Jackson’s career
It is also one of the best plays of Isaiah Likely’s career
Unreal😤😤 pic.twitter.com/xGiwCbyvS7
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) December 18, 2023
After a rough start during which Travis Etienne ran for 22 yards on 4 carries in the first quarter, the Ravens run defense tightened up. Etienne managed just 9 yards on 6 carries the rest of the way…Roquan Smith made a couple of nice tackles in the open field to take down receivers short of the sticks…Kyle Van Noy’s football IQ is obvious. Some things that he does to affect the outcome of a play don’t show up on the scorecard. He interferes with the quarterback’s sight lines and diagnoses a screen quickly to upset its development. Both he and Jadeveon Clowney were key to choking off the Jaguars run game as was Odafe Oweh.
Brandon Stephens was targeted often and outside of a 36-yard spectacular throw and catch from Trevor Lawrence to Zay Jones, one that Deion Sanders would have been hard-pressed to stop, he was terrific. There were a couple of plays that could have been flagged for a DPI and probably would have in 2022. But these days, Stephens is turning his head towards the ball and is careful not to drape his free arm on receivers. That helps to keep him relatively flag-free…Marlon Humphrey had a nice bounce back game, allowing just a couple of inconsequential short tosses…Outside of a communication breakdown with Geno Stone, leading to the Jaguars only points, a 65-yard connection between Lawrence and the versatile Jamal Agnew, Arthur Maulet competed effectively, particularly when gaining inside leverage on a deep post corner intended for Calvin Ridley…Kyle Hamilton just continues to make plays all over the field, whether it’s in run support behind the LOS, defending bubble screens or in the defensive back end after Marcus Williams went down with a groin injury. What a weapon!
Justin Tucker connected from 43, 34 and 26 yards out in challenging conditions…Jordan Stout knocked punts out inside the 15-yard line twice.
THE BAD
Geno Stone got off to a fast start in 2023 but his star has certainly faded. He was slow to give aid to Maulet on the wheel route to Agnew and he looked like the “it” guy in a game of Marco Polo when trying to tackle Agnew. No one answered his “Marco” call. As of late, that’s the way it has been for Stone in the open field. The potential impact of Marcus Williams’ injury is exacerbated by the decline in Stone’s productivity. Let’s hope this is a temporary blip.
Special teams, specifically punt and kick coverage, continue to be a problem. Agnew averaged 30.3 yards on three kick returns and his punt return went for 17 yards…The Ravens had the Jaguars pinned at the 1 forcing a punt without room for a sufficient snap, set and kick. The near insurmountable challenges aside, punter Logan Cooke nailed a 60-yard punt and despite being doubled on the left side of the return formation, Jags gunner Daniel Thomas fought through two Ravens to drop Tylan Wallace after just a 3-yard return. That play completely flipped the field.
THE UGLY
Other than the Jaguars inability to score a single point in the first half given the opportunities provided, the ugliest part of the game by far was the play of the Ravens offensive tackles. Cris Collinsworth made so many excuses for Ronnie Stanley that I had to look up to see if he might be Ronnie’s agent. He’s not. Stanley took on Jags edge defender Josh Allen with all the enthusiasm of a dude who was asked to dance with the fat daughter of his parents’ best friends. I was waiting to hear Color My World or Free Bird. If Michael Oher needs more money, instead of suing his former guardians, maybe he should make a comeback. Could it be any worse?
Ronnie Stanley gets blown through by Josh Allen, forcing Lamar Jackson into a drive-ending intentional grounding penalty pic.twitter.com/5pPpI55Gye
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) December 18, 2023
And then there was Morgan Moses. I’m dating myself here but there was once this children’s toy called Weebles. The tag line for the line of toys was, “Weebles, wobble but they don’t fall down.” That in a nutshell was Moses in pass pro. It’s possible that Moses is playing hurt, so we’ll give him a little benefit of the doubt. But if he is, the Ravens will need to either manage the game differently or find a replacement.
Facing a second-and-four from the Jaguars 44 yard line at the 11:47 mark of the second quarter leading 3-0, the Ravens looked like they might have something going. Lamar rolled right, had room to run for a first or toss it to Likely, but instead he tried to hit Nelson Agholor. But he was deeked by S Rayshawn Jenkins who intercepted the pass…John Simpson’s unsportsmanlike penalty changed a 2nd-and-goal at the 1-yard line to a 2nd-and-goal at the 16. He should be forced to carry the bags of Lamar and Likely for the balance of the week. They bailed him out on the next play with a 16-yard touchdown strike.
The injury bug has begun to grip the Ravens. Add Marcus Williams and Keaton Mitchell to the list. Williams is said to be day-to-day. Mitchell unfortunately is done for the foreseeable future, certainly for the balance of the 2023 season. That’s a huge blow – it’s a heartbreaking development for a kid who has overcome such odds and brought joy to the locker room and homerun hitting ability to the field. He’ll be sorely missed and we’ll pray for his full recovery.
COACHING
I had zero problems with John Harbaugh’s game management last night. Props go to DC Mike Macdonald for making some in-game adjustments to throttle the Jaguars run game while controlling the passing game following the 65-yard strike to Agnew. From the 7:15 mark of the 3rd through the balance of the game, the Jaguars had just 64 yards of offense.
Todd Monken made some second half adjustments as well and got the running game going. I did question why the Ravens didn’t move the pocket or use play action earlier in the game – maybe even use some two tight end sets. Todd does deserve some credit towards the end of the half for recognizing the Cover-3 alignment of the Jaguars, one that is vulnerable to seam routes and the short boundaries.
THE MEGAN FOX AWARD
No secret here – Lamar Jackson. There were times when the Ravens offense looked like the old electric football game – players wandering aimlessly and purposelessly all around. It looked like street ball – “Hey, you go down to the Pinto and do a button hook and you pretend to fall down, get up and go deep.” You get my drift. But through it all, managing the chaos, was LJ. His passing stats were rather pedestrian but his escapability is unparalleled. He can make chicken salad out of chicken ish. Remember Kevin Harlan’s call back in 2019 – “He’s Houdini!”
That hasn’t changed but his magic tricks have.
PARTING SHOTS
NBC’s booth ref Terry McAuley complained so much about the ruling on the touchdown pass to Calvin Ridley that wasn’t a touchdown pass, that I wondered if his big parlay hinged on the play being overturned. Look, if the play was ruled a touchdown on the field, that call would have held up. Just like the ruling on the field last night held up. There was no visual evidence to overturn the call on the field either way.
NBC's Terry McAulay doesn't buy why this was not a touchdown.
"They're telling me they just did not believe it was clear and obvious. And like I said, I just disagree. We've looked at all the shots, we've pieced them together, knee is down with control – we have a touchdown." pic.twitter.com/xrkl99sMgn
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 18, 2023
I think Michael Phelps did a terrific job introducing the game last night. It’s cool that the Olympian who has more gold medals than Antonio Cromartie has children is from B’more and is a diehard Ravens fan. Even cooler that the rest of the world was reminded of his allegiance during the broadcast.
You’re not wrong, Michael Phelps 😎. Tough test today. Let’s go the boys, @Ravens! #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/IE9laExS11
— Maher 🇵🇸 (@pabloikonyero) December 18, 2023
Cry Me a River
It’s a weekly thing that Patrick Mahomes is whining about something and then usually getting his way like a petulant child. It’s also nearly a weekly thing that the Bills’ Josh Allen flops. This weekend against Dallas was no different. When will the officials stop taking the bait?
TRENDING: A full minute of #Bills QB Josh Allen “flopping” after getting touched by defenders.
Was a recurring theme during today's game pic.twitter.com/2ZvnULU0fg
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) December 18, 2023
NFL Expansion, Circa 1993
Remember when the NFL planned to expand by two teams and Baltimore was one of the cities being considered? Of course you do. Charm City was shut out and the teams were awarded to Charlotte and Jacksonville. But things worked out, haven’t they?
This was the scene during the Panthers “riveting” 9-7 win over the Falcons yesterday.
Despite selling tickets for as little as 45 cents, the NFL-worst Panthers played in a nearly empty stadium today.
The rainy day had a bright side — the Panthers beat the Falcons 9-7.pic.twitter.com/i8CYOXRpcp
— Morning Brew ☕️ (@MorningBrew) December 17, 2023
And then in Jacksonville, the scene looked like a sea of purple.
The Ravens fans took over Jacksonville last night! pic.twitter.com/TpNXQejIpE
— Paul Kahl (@Paulfun63) December 18, 2023
NYE
The Ravens open as 5-point underdogs in Santa Clara, CA against the 49ers. But in the grand scheme of things, the game isn’t nearly as important as the two other games remaining on the schedule at home against the Dolphins and Steelers.
The Dolphins game is pivotal and could determine the conference’s No. 1 seed. That one has all of the markings of a game that will be flexed to Sunday Night Football.
Your NYE party could very well get a big splash of purple.
9 Responses
The simple fact is that this team will go as far as Lamar can take them! And, every time he runs as he did last night, the risk of injury becomes exponential…….
This take always boggles my mind and defies reality. Literally every time Lamar was hurt he was hurt in the pocket. He rarely takes hard contact, especially this year where he seems very content to get his yards and fall down, usually has complete control over his body and where he’s going and squeezes his way to take soft contact. Honestly I’m least concerned for his health when he leaves the pocket. When he gets rolled up or pancaked in the pocket is when I’m most concerned.
Great stuff Tony,
Your article today had me in stitches, and everything you said was right on point. Great minds think alike I guess…lol, thanks again for your perspective and all the laughs..
Consider me very concerned about blocking the SF line next week. Our tackles against their DE’s.
In Regards to SNF vs Jags, 1 thing I hate about Stand alone games is everyone is on them from some angle (props, ML etc) so you don’t usually get a fair representation compared to a 1pm window game when way less action on 1 specific game. Now as far as running it as opposed to passing when the defense was bad vs the pass. That works if your OTs can hold up vs ELITE pass rush all day like Josh Allen &Travon Walker, our OTs weren’t great. Lamar had to be Houdini. A normal Qb would’ve been sacked 5-6x. I expect the same next week vs Bosa and Young. Lamar is going to have to run, scramble,, RPOs etc for 70-80 yards again to keep them on their heels.
Lastly as far as Moses being pulled. What I’ve heard from respected guys like Jeff Z and others it’s more doing it in concert with Stanley so Stanley doesn’t feel embarrassed that he’s only 1 getting yanked to preserve his knee for playoffs.
Great analysis and insight as always Tony!
Trying to stay with the bandwagon as a B-more native, Colts fan, then PSL holder and immediate fervent Ravens fan. Re; LJ- Can’t get past the last several years of poor/mediocre performance tied directly to $$, then, magically, mega $$ and totally different player. Can’t escape the appearance of calling a mulligan on last several seasons- organizationally- then this year decide time to go “all-in” ! Wow-if only in real world we could “not really give 100%” when not happy with compensation or conditions, and not suffer repercussions of termination or demotion ! That all being said, this season could not be set up any better for a Raven SB run, with a suddenly weaker AFC w/o any clear dominant team. Interested to see if in spite of this good fortune the team can avoid the usual playoff implosion and get to the big game.
TBH I am expecting a loss to SF. Here’s a few points to make fans think.
We have beaten all 3 NFC West opponents so far this season.
Our road record so far this season is 6-1.
Lamar’s overall primetime record is now 15-4 although he is only 4-2 on MNF games.
Lamar’s record against the NFC overall is 19-3.
His overall record in December games is now 15-3.
While I think we may lose what this shows is that Lamar is a gamer and gets up for the big games, especially prime time games. He’s a competitor so don’t be surprised if we win this big game against the 9er’s.
Your “gamer” is 1-3 in the postseason!
If Lamar can win 3 or 4 in a row starting next month with his tricks it’s Lombardi time. Let’s hope Melvin Gordon has gas left in the tank.