Ebony Bird
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Baltimore Ravens: First Quarter Report Cards – Offense Edition

By Jake Lippman

Sep 20, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh talks with quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh talks with quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 13: Mark Ingram II #21 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after J.K. Dobbins #27 scored a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 13, 2020, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 13: Mark Ingram II #21 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after J.K. Dobbins #27 scored a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 13, 2020, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Running Backs:

  • J.K. Dobbins– 15 carries, 92 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, six receptions, 72 receiving yards
  • Gus Edwards– 27 carries, 167 rushing yards
  • Mark Ingram– 34 carries, 148 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, three receptions, 25 yards

This year the Ravens running game has averaged 160-yards per game. Last season that figure was above 200-yards per game. For the Ravens, they have lost a key figure on their offensive line in Marshal Yanda, but the running game has lacked the explosiveness it had seen last season. This season out of the 160-yards per game being averaged 58-yards are from Jackson.  If the running backs are only going to account for 110-yards per game in a run-first offense, the team may struggle down the stretch.

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Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins both have two touchdowns apiece and Gus Edwards is running at a solid 6.2 yards per carry. Each of these guys is running with success but not with long term success. They rotate in and out, but they aren’t getting involved in the game enough. The running backs have combined for 12 receptions this season and furthermore, they have only had four “big” runs.

Looking at these guys they can be so much more dominant and have been in years past. This has all happened without Justice Hill taking a single snap at running back. With that being considered, it may be hard for statistics to show up for individuals. When looking at the lump sum of totals at this position, the numbers are in the upper echelon of the league. It’s just the big plays that have been missing. That exciting juice that the Ravens saw last season from large runs and hard-nosed football that has seemed to go away a little.

With the rest of the season ahead this group has plenty of time to become the number one unit in the league, but for now, these guys have been solid and need to continue at this pace. If the numbers stay at where they are presently then the wide receivers will need to step up in order for the team to be able to compete deep into the playoffs.

Grade: B-

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