Baltimore Ravens Grades For Week One: It Ain’t Pretty

Sep 7, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) tackles Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) behind the line for a loss during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Defense: C

Again, some of the defensive woes were the result of questionable coaching decisions, but we’ll touch on that in a second.  The D did an admirable job holding the Bengals to five field goals in the first half, even though the offense kept putting them back on the field time and time again.  The D was giving up yards, but ultimately held up in the red zone and kept the game close.  They also did a great job taking away the run.  As a team, the Bengals could only manage 26 rushes for 79 yards (3.0 avg).

The bizarre decision to start human torch Chykie Brown at corner was one that (literally) came back to burn the Ravens. Brown was left one-on-one with all world wide receiver A.J. Green, and as anybody and their grandmother can imagine, gave up a 77 yard touchdown that was the deciding score of the game.  The secondary managed zero turnovers and had no answer for Green or the frequent screen plays to running back Giovanni Bernard.

The lack of pressure generated by the front seven is equally to blame.  There are many teams that have successfully masked a deficient secondary with a pass rush (Panthers, Giants, etc.), but there was no such luck on Sunday.  Only Pernell McPhee even got close to sacking Andy Dalton, and Dalton flicked the ball out just in time to avoid a big loss.  Zero quarterback hits and a mere one tackle for loss summed up a frustrating afternoon.

Next: Coaching