The Todd Monken generation used to be meant to be the break of day of a brand new day for the Baltimore Ravens’ offense. Underneath Monken’s tutelage, Jameis Winston used to be making large performs although he used to be now not constant, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers weren’t profitable video games. At Georgia, he grew to become Stetson Bennett right into a 4,000-yard passer. With 2019 MVP Lamar Jackson at quarterback, the Ravens offense used to be meant to upward push from the ashes of Greg Roman’s run-heavy scheme.
Via six video games the Ravens are 4-2 and atop the AFC North. They limped via an early rash of accidents and seem to be headed to the playoffs for the 5th time within the remaining six seasons. Now not a lot wishes to switch about their play to make {that a} fact, but when they need to make a deep run then this new offense must ship what used to be promised.
Towards the Tennessee Titans in Week 6 the Ravens displayed probably the most identical offensive issues which have been plaguing them for years. They ran the ball 39 occasions, and these days lead the league in speeding makes an attempt in line with sport. It’s efficient, however now not leading to touchdowns. Justin Tucker’s box targets accounted for 18 of the Ravens’ 24 issues towards the Titans.
Their sole landing used to be scored within the first half of which is some other troubling pattern for the Ravens. During the last 3 video games, they have got averaged most effective 4.3 second-half issues. This a continuation from 2022 during which they ranked twenty third in second-half issues in line with sport. They’re additionally suffering mightily within the purple zone, and this is going on as their offense has been getting fitter in contemporary weeks. In 9 purple zone tries of their remaining two video games, the Ravens have controlled one landing.
Monken seems to be extra keen to take possibilities within the air throughout the primary half of, however then he begins depending closely on numerous the similar zone-read performs that Roman used to be criticized for calling too regularly.
The Ravens have had luck operating the soccer. That at all times must be part of the offense. Alternatively, converting coordinators used to be meant to be a converting of the guard second. After all, Monken is ok with the run sport. He spent 3 seasons at Georgia.
However he used to be employed to depend much less on that taste of offense. There’s meant to be extra steadiness with him calling the performs. He has proven all over his occupation that quarterbacks in his offense can publish large passing numbers, and he’s these days operating with by way of a long way the most productive passer of his occupation. But the Ravens have the twenty third maximum overall move makes an attempt within the NFL this season. Simply forward of them are the Chicago Bears, and at the back of them are the Cleveland Browns.
It isn’t as though the Ravens simply introduced in Monken and requested him to overtake the offense without a assist. Rookie Zay Plants has confirmed to be able for NFL motion since Day 1. Mark Andrews continues to be at tight finish, and Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman are again from early-season accidents. Beckham appeared moderately explosive when catching a move within the first quarter. But even so the ones 3, the again finish of the Ravens’ huge receiving corps contains Nelson Agholor and Devin Duvernay. As No. 1 or No. 2 huge receivers, they’re overmatched, however that more or less pace at No. 4 can also be game-breaking.
Possibly the Ravens simply want a while for the gamers and coaches to get settled this season. An early rash of accidents to the offensive line, backfield, and huge receivers didn’t assist the adjustment procedure.’
All of that being mentioned, overdue in video games the Ravens aren’t taking part in aggressively as they must be on offense. Conservative play value them a sport they must have received in Week 3 towards the Indianapolis Colts, and so they must have blown out the Titans.
The Ravens are going to have to place the ball within the air with extra regularity come postseason time, particularly in the second one half of of video games. If now not, they will be unable to attain sufficient issues to stay alongside of the AFC elite in a single-game removing state of affairs.
