The Ravens had opportunities to win a sloppy game when they weren’t at their best, but when those chances presented themselves, they fell apart each and every time.
Let’s look at some grades.
Offense
Overall: D
There were a few splash plays throughout the game to keep things interesting, but this was a disjointed effort that saw key playmakers cough away the ball in the Chiefs’ end zone in the fourth quarter, destroying any chance for the Ravens to steal a win. They went just 3-for-11 on third downs, had three turnovers and allowed four sacks. Awful performance, from a lack of answers to what the Chiefs were doing, and on execution.
Quarterback: C-
Lamar Jackson had some electric plays, including that 30-yard escape-and-throw touchdown to Zay Flowers in the first quarter, and a cool play where he caught his own pass. He later hit Flowers on a big pass downfield, and showed a feathery touch on a crosser to Nelson Agholor for 39 yards. There were a few nice runs, too. But the interception was an awful decision to throw into triple coverage when it just wasn’t worth the risk, he missed a few deep shots down the sidelines and his short touch, which was so good all year, was inconsistent this game. He also seemed to leave some potential running yards on the table, instead of taking off like he did against Houston.
Running Backs: B
They weren’t given enough opportunities, but they looked good when they had the chance. Gus Edwards had 20 yards on three carries, and another 16-yard reception. He also did a great job blocking for Jackson on that touchdown throw to Flowers. Justice Hill only had three yards on three carries, and added 34 yards on four catches. He whiffed in pass protection a few times, though.
How did they only get six carries between them?
Receivers: C-
Flowers had a mixed game — producing 115 yards and a touchdown on five catches, but he also had a bad taunting penalty and that awful fumble heading into the end zone. Odell Beckham had three big catches late, and Agholor had that great catch-and-run. Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely had 31 yards on four catches combined — probably not what many of us were expecting.
Offensive Line: D
It’s hard to judge this unit, to be honest. There weren’t a lot of carries to tell how they were doing up front, and the pressure and sacks appeared to result from coverage for the most part. Ronnie Stanley did appear to get beat on a sack, but that, again, was a second-level sack as the Ravens had formed a second pocket at that point. John Simpson had a great seal on Jackson’s 21-yard run on fourth down in the first quarter, but had a holding call late. Morgan Moses had a big block on Edwards’ 15-yard run, but also got beat badly for a sack.
Defense
Overall: A-
Things started out rough, as the Chiefs scored touchdowns on their first two possessions of the game, but this is how the Chiefs’ drives went after that: Downs, punt, field goal, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, end of game. The only blemish was an inability to generate a turnover that could have flipped the game. The Chiefs had 98 yards of offense in the second half (by my very-unofficial count), and only averaged 4.4 yards per play. They held Isiah Pacheco to 2.8 yards per carry.
Defensive Line: B+
Justin Madubuike was one of the best players on the field, registering six tackles and a half a sack, forcing another sack into the hands of Jadeveon Clowney. Travis Jones played a great game, but he had a bad flag for a hit on Patrick Mahomes, and Brent Urban was terrific all game against the run. Odafe Oweh was only credited with one tackle, but he was good throughout. Michael Pierce was also very active, sharing a sack and getting another hit on Mahomes.
Linebackers: A
Roquan Smith had 16 tackles and was hitting people all game — including one unfortunate hit on an offensive lineman that drew a late flag (he wanted the offside to make it first-and-10…but not the personal foul). Patrick Queen was also a menace, with eight tackles, and Kyle Van Noy also had a big splash tackle for loss, to go along with his own penalty. This unit was great against both the run and pass.
Defensive Backs: B
Kyle Hamilton was remarkable, even while having his hands full with Travis Kelce much of the game. Kelce got him early for a big catch, but Hamilton had periods of sheer brilliance and domination. With 3:49 left in the second quarter, and the Chiefs threatening to pull away, Hamilton was in deep coverage on first down for an incompletion to Rashee Rice. He tackled Rice for no gain on the next snap, and then blitzed and forced Mahomes to throw away the ball on third down. A three-and-out, by one young star. Marcus Williams had a pass break-up on third down in the third quarter, and Ronald Darby made a great tackle in the open field in the third quarter. Arthur Maulet made some nice physical tackles, but got beat on third-and-nine at the 2:00 warning to basically wrap the game.
Special Teams: A
They didn’t give up any long returns, and Devin Duvernay had a very nice 21-yard punt return to set the Ravens up late with a short field. Justin Tucker drilled a 43-yarder late to bring the Ravens within a touchdown. Jordan stout was great, averaging 50.2 yards on five punts, putting three inside the 20 and flipping the field with a 66-yarder.
Coaching: C-
The team was not at its best in the biggest game of the year, and some of that responsibility falls on the coaches. They looked unprepared for what the Chiefs were doing on defense, and the defense started out looking a little overwhelmed before calming down and turning in a great performance. I liked going for it on 4th and 1 at their own 34 in the first quarter, and really loved it with hindsight after Jackson’s 21-yard run. The team had their chances to win this one, and the coaches have to get some credit for putting them in those positions, but it was a flat start, and that hurt all game against a legendary coach and quarterback on the other sideline.
21 Responses
I think the offensive line was F. Quarterback was D. Defense was great and anytime you keep Mahomes under 20 points and can’t win it’s a darn shame. Coaching well let’s just say MacDonald is a head coach and outta here. After 3 OCs,6 seasons, a brinks truck, and some big name receivers Lamar is still a loser in January and can’t get to February . When’s spring training start?
Couldn’t agree more! This team was good enough to beat anyone including themselves, which is exactly what they did yesterday! Since Flacco, who was 10-5 with a SB MVP win, left, the Ravens with Lamar are 2-5 and haven’t been able to advance beyond game one! So, being consistently inconsistent doesn’t cut it! Lamar is a running QB, who is at his best running! But, either he or the coaches continue to envision him as a pocket passer, which he is……NOT! Nor does he deserve MVP honors this year! That honor belongs to Mahomes or Purdy, both of whom are at their best in the postseason when it counts the most!
Your facts are a little off on this one. Lamar was bounced in round 1 his first two years as a starter, but in 2021 and this year they did win game one, and then lose the following week.
Coaching deserves an F-. Running the ball clearly wasn’t in the game plan today. Against a terrible run defense. They were never so far out of it that running wasn’t an option, yet Monken refused to call running plays. They completely discarded what got them there and it’s inexcusable.
Couldn’t agree more! Harbaugh has done little when it counts most in the postseason since Flacco left! But, he can still take credit for his record in the preseason and regular season when it counts…..least! Not a good HC, particularly on game days regardless of all the OCs he’s hired, with the exception of Kubiak, who he didn’t hire……
Another year, and they go home about going to Super Bowl. How many more years do we do this before something changes besides shuffling around players? Mediocrity, the name of the game.
Who is responsible for discipline on a team? I always understood that was the responsibility of the head coach. Discipline was a miserable failure. The numerous penalties from a lack of discipline were absolutely devastating.
Once, again couldn’t agree more! And, it even started before the game when a Raven threw a punch at Kelce on the Chief’s sideline!
Coaching is an F man lol
there’s no way you come in with the best run game in the NFL vs the worst rush D and only attempt 11 rushes, F on John Harbaugh for allowing that ..and F on Monken For allowing that
BINGO!
RAVENS COACHES GIVE UP ON RUNNING THE BALL TO QUICKLY WHEN BEHIND BY A LITTLE. THEY FORGET THAT THEY HAVE THE BEST DEFENSE IN THE NFL TO KEEP THE SCORE FROM GETTING OUT OF REACH. NEXT YEAR, THEY NEED TO WORK ON SCREENS AND QUICK SLANTS TO COUNTER ALL OF THE BLITZING THAT WILL BE COMING.
Umm, you’re suggestions about 6/7 years too late, they should’ve been doing that and perfecting it by now. And I’m sorry, this side arm, throwing style of Lamar, it’s lame!
You know, having a night to think about it, this loss is even more painful than other seasons, because once again, we held KC’s offense to nothing in the second half, and responded with an even worse offensive output. Sorry, as long as John Harbaugh runs this team, mediocrity is the new watchword for the Baltimore mavens…
Wasted a Historical Defense and potential Historical year…
This year should’ve gone down with 2000 Ravens and 85 Bears. This defense was that good in modern era winning triple crown and Lamar MVP season winning nfl record 10 games vs 500+ teams.
But for whatever every big game Ravens OCs become DUMB AF. The blueprint was there. Run the ball vs KC, 1 of the worst run defenses in NFL.. and GUS gets less then 10 carries and Lamar doesn’t get utilized in RPOs and run game upwards of 70-80 yards..
Todd Monken is no different then Greg Roman. He failed miserably.
And nobody buys the we were down narrative when it was a 7-10 point game the entire time and our defense pitched a shutout in 2nd half! RUN THE DAMN BALL! Utilize no.8s legs. They win if he had 85-90 rush&Gusbus 60-70rush
Monken, like all the OCs except Kubiak, answers to…..Harbaugh! Remember, we won our last SB AFTER he was forced to fire his OC crony, Cam Cameron, leaving Flacco to run the offense! Enough said?!
This was Lamar’s worse game since the first Pittsburgh game. In both games he fumbled after getting hit while trying to pass and in both games, he threw a pass up for grabs in the end zone that was intercepted. I don’t know if the moment was too big for him, but he certainly didn’t look like the Lamar we saw in the second half of the year especially against the 49ers, Dolphins, and Texans.
The trend of catastrophic turnovers in the redzone is a real thing for this team and it needs to be fixed. It’s happened 4 times in recent playoff games:
– at Buffalo Lamar throws a pick 6
– at CIncy Huntley fumbles on the goal-line
– yesterday Flowers fumbles on the goal-line
– yesterday Lamar tosses a pick in the endzone
Scott, turnovers certainly played a role in the loss, but so did a lack of discipline and poor game plan, both functions of……coaching!
Kudos to the defense who kept the chiefs out of the end zone for 3 quarters.
I just don’t understand why the Ravens abandoned the run game so early and became one dimensional. Even Lamar had opportunities to run into an (apparent) open field but faced the pressure and threw unsuccessfully instead.
The completely unbalanced offense and the inability to put together any drives was inexcusable. KC was better coached, played better and made us look like an immature team.
The narrative continues Regular season contenders, playoff pretenders
Thanks Defense for showing up and showing out! You were AMAZING!
Complete breakdown on the OC and head coach though. You put too much on Lamar by expecting him to carry the offense with his arm with deep throws with which he is not very accurate.
Where were the screen plays and rollouts and quick throws????? And very little running plays.
Harbaugh blew it in 2019 and here again in 2023. I doubt an opportunity like this will ever come again. Too bad!