3. Ravens need to take note of what is working:
John Brown is the best offensive player the Ravens have right now. In two games Brown has caught seven passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Brown’s connection with Flacco is obvious. Flacco forced a throw deep down the field on Thursday, that Brown caught in heavy traffic. Brown isn’t just a deep threat, he’s the receiver that can make Flacco look better than he is. Mark Andrews is starting to emerge as a reliable play-maker as well. His touchdown reception against the Bengals was something to see. The passing game works when Flacco has time to throw the football.
What doesn’t work is Flacco throwing the football over 40 times. The Ravens need balance, because leaning on the passing game alone has never worked. Alex Collins is averaging three yards per carry, while Buck Allen is averaging less. If the Ravens don’t get the running game going they will be in trouble.
Using the running backs in the passing game could alleviate their problems a bit. The problem is that while Allen is their leader in receptions, he has just over 50 yards. If the running backs are going to produce through the air, Collins has to be the main target, because he’s more dangerous in the open field. The best way to improve the running game, would to put Orlando Brown Jr. at right tackle, but that argument has been made already.
Defensively, Kenny Young is doing a great job and Patrick Onwuasor isn’t. Young is all over the field. The only way Onwuasor should get significant playing time is if C.J. Mosley misses time. Young has been all over the field, he looks like a player that could turn into something special.