Ebony Bird
FanSided

Baltimore Ravens: 3 keys to victory vs Titans

By Nicholas Gardner

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 05: Derrick Morgan #91 of the Tennessee Titans chases down Alex Collins #34 of the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at Nissan Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 05: Derrick Morgan #91 of the Tennessee Titans chases down Alex Collins #34 of the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at Nissan Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
Baltimore Ravens
NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 05: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans throws a pass against the Baltimore Ravens at Nissan Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

The Ravens head to Tennessee for a Week 6 matchup with the Titans following a demoralizing 12-9 loss in overtime to Cleveland last Sunday.  

The loss in Cleveland puts the Ravens record at 3-2 heading into Week 6. Without a doubt you could argue that the Ravens could be, and should be undefeated. A poor start on Thursday Night Football cost them a game in Cincinnati, and a week where they couldn’t get anything going offensively cost them in Cleveland.

Nonetheless Baltimore has a chance to get back to 2 games above .500 with a win in Tennessee. Here are 3 things they need to do to ensure that happens:

1. Run the Ball Effectively 

The Ravens offense has looked different this year, and strikes fear into opposing defenses with their weapons on the outside. However, the one thing they have yet to get going is their run game. Coming into Week 6, the Ravens rank 24th in Rushing Yards per game at just under 95 yards, and have yet to have a 100 Yard rusher so far this season.

Most people expected the run game to flourish with the returns of Marshal Yanda and Alex Lewis up front, and a stable backfield headlined by Alex Collins and Javorius Allen, but it hasn’t taken off so far. There’s been rumors floating around discussing if the Ravens should consider starting 2018 3rd Round Pick Orlando Brown, possibly at Right Tackle, but the Ravens have yet to make such a move. Still, getting a running game going is crucial not only in this game, but moving forward. Putting the ball in Flacco’s hand 40+ times a game is not the way to win in the NFL, and the Ravens need to find their rushing attack.

Running the ball this week is as important as ever because the Ravens are taking on one of the best pass defenses in the NFL. The Titans rank 3rd in the NFL in Points Allowed and Passing Yards allowed. The “knock” on them, though? They allow 123 rushing yards per game, which ranks 26th in the league. It’s clear the Ravens need to run the ball, whether they feed Alex Collins 20+ carries or use a committee, the ground game is going to be crucial come Sunday.

Home/Ravens News