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Baltimore Ravens: Breaking Down Nightmare 1st Quarter Vs. Browns

By Chris Schisler

Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) completes a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) completes a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) stands under center as he calls a play during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) stands under center as he calls a play during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive Miscues

When we look at the offense, the first quarter wasn’t pretty. The Ravens had three offensive drives in the nightmare quarter. The first drive ended in a punt. The second drive ended with an interception. I have watched Flacco’s first interception several times now, I cannot for the life of me figure out what he saw. Flacco forced a ball into harms way, plain and simple.

One thing that we need to see is a better job by Flacco when he is dealing with pass rush. On one third down play Flacco had a collapsing pocket. Instead of moving around and trying to make something happen, Flacco threw the ball into the dirt. This is simply the most frustrating kind of play there is. Chris Moore dropping a would have been touchdown pass is also in this category.

Marc Trestman’s play-calling was frustrating, but what’s new? One play that I’m getting tired of is that toss play. The Browns were ready for it. The Ravens only had three men to block a swarm of Browns defenders. Football is at its root a numbers game. When they know it’s coming and they have a numbers advantage to the play-side calling that toss isn’t clever. It’s bad math.

While play-calling is clearly a target area for criticism, we must acknowledge the Ravens inability to win the battle in the trenches. The Ravens offensive line got beat in this frustrating start. The Ravens rushing attack wasn’t spectacular in this game. Overall lack of performance was the Ravens biggest problem, even if the play-calling was below par.

Next: Exploring Ravens Defensive Dominance

For more of my film study notes, keep it locked to Ebony Bird. We’re still lingering in our thoughts on the Ravens battle with the Browns. Quickly we will move towards getting you ready to be the smartest fan during the Ravens battle with the Jacksonville Jaguars. It seems like the Jaguars will be motivated, an 0-3 record would put their season’s hopes in a coffin. When we do break down this game we have to remember Jacksonville is in a corner.

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