Three things to watch for as Ravens take on Football Team
By Ian Schultz
1) Who are you?
No I am not talking about the legendary rock song by the Who.
This is likely the question that most Ravens fans were asking as they watched Greg Roman completely abandon their running game at inexplicable times of Monday night’s defeat. Exhibit A was the first drive of the contest that saw the Ravens rumble for 60 yards on ten carries in advancing the ball to the KC 15 yard line. From there a touch pass to Devin Duvernay advanced the ball to the eight. Two pass plays and the Ravens settle for a field goal. Now maybe this play-calling wasn’t so bad as my old pal Cole shows in the below thread:
Alright, so looking at the play calling on the #Ravens 1st drive.
— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) September 30, 2020
They get to the KC8 off of 8 plays (6 run 2 pass, but 1 of the passes was a jet route to Duv, basically similar to a run, but counts as a pass given its a forward pass behind LOS).
But then what happens?
Still don’t love the calls but it helps at least make me a feel a bit better. But I’m not budging on the drive after the Ravens next possession following the Duvernay kick return which was followed by a three and out from the Chiefs. The score was 13-10 and there was 11:06 left in the half and your defense just got it’s first stop of the game. You have all the momentum on your side. Establish your power running game, run some clock and see if you can at worst tie the game.
Three incomplete passes and a punt.
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That was hideous. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200 Greg Roman. Play the time and score. Play the tempo of the game. It was dismal and it’s becoming a habit.
Which brings me to this week. The Football Team has given up 318 yards and four touchdowns on the ground in the last two weeks. Now, the situation shouldn’t present itself where the Ravens panic and feel like have to start throwing the ball all around the yard like the greatest show on turf. However, from jump street this should be a run away train in the running game.
I don’t care if it is 45 runs and 15 passes. I don’t care if Brownsfan23456 talks trash after the game about a pedestrian passing line from Lamar. The running game is the strength of your team and you should be leaning on it heavily until someone proves they can stop it.
Ravens go over 35+ rush attempts Sunday or I will drive to the Castle myself.