Ravens Offense
1) Three-wide: For the first time this season, the big three should be healthy. Mark Clayton seems to be ready to log snaps as the starter after being relegated to third-down duty in obvious passing situations.
With a mobile Clayton on the field, the Ravens can finally display their true three-wide formations. In these sets, Baltimore has the flexibility to run or pass using a two-back or a single-back look.
The Cardinals’ defense may be especially vulnerable when they are in their base 3-4 defense on first-down. In these situations, the coaches should stick Demetrius Williams as the X or Z receiver, move Todd Heap into the slot and use either Clayton or Derrick Mason as the other slot receiver, creating a single four-wide formation.
Not only would this line of attack create favorable one-on-one matchups for Steve McNair to exploit in the passing game, but it would also force the Cardinal linebackers to play off the line and drop into coverage.
2) Misdirection: To counter New York’s aggressive blitz attack, the Ravens successfully used a number of fake reverses and waggle passes to keep the Jet defenders on their toes.
Against the Cardinals, expect the same type of misdirection plays to be installed. The Cardinals are also a hybrid front that will attack from all angles. In their haste to rush up the field, they may be susceptible to biting hard on the initial fake, which could open up a play designed to go in the opposite direction.
3) Slide and duck: Another strategy that the Ravens executed well this past Sunday was the flex play; a play in which the receiver will release off the line, motion to either the right or left side of the line-of-scrimmage and basically glide on an underneath route.
More times than not, the motion man was able to create space on a route in the open field and gain anywhere between five to six yards. This is a difficult play to defend, because the moving receiver is already running in stride to a certain spot, while the chasing defender is in a trail position.
Look for Baltimore to try and hit on these plays a number of times, especially on three step drops, to exploit Arizona’s pass-rush.
Ravens Defense
1) Multiple looks: Arizona has an improving offensive line that has yielded just one sack in two games. The line appears to be a much better unit than it was a year ago, when the Cardinals gave up an astronomical 35 sacks.
Still, this line has yet to face a front that shows as many different looks as the Ravens do. Given that Trevor Pryce is out of the lineup, defensive coordinator Rex Ryan may employ even more variations of the defensive sets he runs, including the 5-2 look, a front in which Terrell Suggs and Jarrett Johnson play with their hands down.
The name of the game is to consistently move defenders around, and force the linemen and quarterback Matt Leinhart to change their protection schemes on the fly.
When the Ravens stay static, quarterbacks tend to get into more of a rhythm and feel comfortable operating from the pocket, as Kellen Clemens did last Sunday. But when the Ravens disguise their presnap movements – especially against a young quarterback – they are the essence of organized chaos.
2) Off edge: It’s no surprise that former Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt has made a concentrated effort to feed the ball to Edgerrin James.
After all, Whisenhunt is the one who resurrected Pittsburgh’s ground attack following the Tommy Gun reign in 2002 and 2003.
Obviously, the Cardinals have a ways to go before they reach the Steelers’ level of achievement as a rush offense. But if nothing else, the Cardinals will be committed to establishing a physical running game each and every Sunday.
The Ravens will need to ground James and the Cardinals rushing attack before it hits the ground running.
The key downs to win will be on first and second, when Arizona will be in their heavy sets looking to pound James up the gut. If the Ravens are able hold up early on, they should be able to force the Cardinals to become one-dimensional, especially on third-down.
3) Next man up: The loss of Pryce opens up an opportunity for Dwan Edwards and rookie Antwan Barnes to make an impact.
The duo will alternate snaps depending on the situation. Edwards will likely play more on first and second-down, while Barnes will handle Pryce’s spot on the line as a third-down pass-rusher.
Clearly, it will be tough to completely replace Pryce’s production. Neither Edwards nor Barnes will be able to force a double team and rush from anywhere on the line as Pryce did.
Still, the two are capable enough to hold the fort until Pryce comes back. Edwards is rock solid against the run, while Barnes is an explosive edge rusher with deceptive power and range.
One-on-one Matchup to Watch: Samari Rolle versus Anquan Boldin: One thing is for certain, whether Rolle has to defend Boldin or Larry Fitzgerald, he will have to be ready to play a physical game. Both wideouts are outstanding at escaping press coverage and making plays downfield. While Rolle will likely face both receivers at some point in the game, he may face Boldin more often. Given that Boldin is the more physical, strong receiver, this appears to be a clear mismatch in favor of the Cardinals. Rolle will need to wrap up well against Boldin on short routes to keep the receiver from breaking off sizeable gains after the catch.
