There’s nothing to be scared about when the Baltimore Ravens get into the red zone. They lack any kind of threat in that area of the field.
The Baltimore Ravens have been no stranger to offensive struggles this season. Other than rushing yards, they rank in the bottom of just about every offensive category and have been especially bad in the red zone.
It’s been particularly hard to watch when the Ravens actually get inside of the 20-yard line. Questionable play calling and bad quarterback play don’t help, but the Ravens lack any kind of real red zone threat.
When the Ravens get into the red zone, who is the go-to option? Sadly enough it’s not the quarterback, running back, wide receiver or even tight end, it’s the kicker.
More times than not, it feels like the Ravens play for field goal when they get into the red zone. Most teams have no problems scoring touchdowns but actually kicking field goals and for the Ravens it’s the other way around. If you’re betting money, odds are the Ravens end a red zone drive with a field goal attempt.
Looking at the stats, the Ravens rank 15th in the NFL with an average of three red zone scoring attempts per game, which actually isn’t bad. The problem comes when actually converting those chances. The Ravens touchdown scoring percentage in the red zone is an abysmal 44.44%, which is bad enough for 29th in the NFL. That’s almost down almost nine percent from last season, and it makes sense.
Flacco without his favorite targets
It doesn’t help that Joe Flacco lost his top two red zone receivers from last season. Steve Smith Sr. and Dennis Pitta lead the team in red zone targets last season with seven catches each and now both are gone. Smith retired and Pitta suffered another grueling hip injury that was career-ending. Both were security blankets and trusted targets for Flacco when the Ravens got into the red zone. Having those reliable receivers is huge and without them, it’s tough for Flacco to feel fully confident with who he’s targeting in the red zone.
The closest security blanket Flacco has left is Ben Watson. He plays that Dennis Pitta role at tight end and leads the team with three catches and a touchdown in the red zone. Defenses are aware of this and Watson sees plenty of attention in the red zone. Behind him, there’s no one else that poses a true red zone threat right now. None of the other tight ends or wide receivers have been consistent, let alone healthy enough to be a threat. Alex Collins is the most explosive offensive weapon, but isn’t a threat in the passing game. The Ravens never get close enough inside the 10-yard line where it makes sense to run the ball.
The bottom line
Defenses have no reason to be worried when the Ravens get into the end zone. The Ravens just don’t have any consistent threats who can convert red zone scoring chances. It allows for defenses to get creative and take chances to create turnovers. With a quarterback who’s prone to turning the ball over, that poses a problem .
Defensive coordinators have no problems with Justin Tucker kicking four or five field goals a game. Lack of weapons is the unfortunate reality for the Ravens and until the front office commits to drafting talent on the offensive side of the ball, it’s a problem they’re going to be stuck with for the time being.
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Red zone scoring efficiency isn’t going to fix itself.