Ebony Bird
FanSided

Baltimore Ravens: Top 5 Surprises Through Week 5

By Chris Schisler

Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) pressured by Oakland Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack (52) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) pressured by Oakland Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack (52) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens center Jeremy Zuttah (53) against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Browns 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens center Jeremy Zuttah (53) against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Browns 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /

Surprise Three: Offensive Line Problems (But Not The Expected Ones):

If you would have told me that the offensive line was going to be a problem, I would not have been shocked. I was doubting Ronnie Stanley from the start. Starting two rookies on the left side seemed like a bad idea to me. However Ronnie Stanley and Alex Lewis have been far from the Ravens biggest problem this season. Stanley has missed the past two games, but he played fairly well in the first three games.  My expectations at a difficult position are lowered for a rookie. When he has been in the game, he’s surpassed these expectations. Alex Lewis has been a stud, in fact he may be the best performer on that offensive line.

Jeremy Zuttah has struggled. Marshall Yanda hasn’t seemed like himself this season. Maybe he is over helping, but we’ve seen better out of Yanda. Don’t get me wrong, Yanda is still a stud, but he’s struggled at times this season. Rick Wagner left the game with an injured thigh last week. Now Wagner and Marshall Yanda’s status is up in the air for Sunday. Ryan Jensen and John Urschel got beat pretty bad last week. Also, Ryan Jensen was so bad against the Raiders it made James Hurst look okay.

The offensive line is struggling, but it’s not because of the play of Stanley and Lewis. Stanley has missed two games, while Lewis has missed one too. That has not helped. However it proved that they are far from the Ravens biggest problems up front.

Home/Ravens News