Baltimore Ravens: 5 questions facing them in week 3

2. Is the running game going to get going?

Will the Raven rushing attack report to work? The Ravens haven’t run the ball well in the first two weeks of the season. The Ravens didn’t need to run the ball all that well against the Bills. Joe Flacco had fun exploiting a bad Bills defense. The Bengals game was a game where the Ravens needed the running game much more. Joe Flacco throwing the football 55 times is partially due to falling behind so dramatically, however it isn’t an acceptable method for the Ravens to employ.

The only way the Ravens offense will work is if they have balance. Last season the Ravens couldn’t throw the football with any success but had the 11th best rushing yard totals per game. While we’re only heading into the third game, the Ravens rushing attack ranks 23rd in the NFL, while the passing attack is seventh in yard per game. The good news is that the Ravens have players that are being productive in the passing game. The bad news is that Alex Collins looks lost behind an offensive line that looks clueless. The bad news is that the Ravens are averaging 3.3 yards per game. While I do love parallel structure, I hate informing you of that number.

The Ravens have to block better, but the running backs have to run more efficiently as well. Alex Collins is great when he has room to work with, but his vision has led him away from that room to work. Collins is going to have to create plays. He needs to be able to make something out of nothing. The offensive line is the main culprit, but the Ravens backs have to be better as well. More importantly, Marty Mornhinweg can’t give up on the running game. If the Ravens can get it going like they had it last season, and combine it with this passing game, good things will happen.