Sep 21, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh talks with line judge Mark Perlman during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
Coaching: C
We give the coaching staff props for plugging Lorenzo Taliaferro in on early downs instead of trying to fit a square peg in a round hole in the form of Justin Forsett. And the final drive of the game was an impressive one, especially letting Steve Smith get loose on the right sideline for the play that ultimately decided the game. It’s fair to say that no one else would have made that catch at this point.
But why in the great wide world of sports did Gary Kubiak continue to insist on throwing the ball when the run was so effective at times? The ground game was averaging over 5 yards per rush as both backs gained huge chunks of yards every time they touched the ball. On the rare occasions when they utilized play action, the entire Browns defense bit.
On the defensive side, we just can’t understand why the Ravens didn’t blitz more. On the rare occasion when they did, they actually got penetration. While it can be easy to overdo the blitz, on a day when a guy like Brian Hoyer is tearing up your secondary, why not put some heat on him? Baffling play calling on both sides of the ball.