Mark Ingram listed as doubtful: Unleash J.K. Dobbins on Steelers

The Baltimore Ravens will probably have to play the Pittsburgh Steelers without Mark Ingram:

Is it J.K. Dobbins time? Mark Ingram is officially listed as doubtful on the Baltimore Ravens injury report. The Ravens are a run based offense, a fact that remains even when they struggle to get push in the run game. That’s the basis of everything in the Greg Roman/Lamar Jackson run offense. Being down a running back is a very notable thing.

It just so happens that the Ravens are very equipped to play without Mark Ingram this year, something that may be a response to what happened in the last Ravens playoff game. Not only do the Ravens have Gus Edwards, they have J.K. Dobbins. Okay, I guess Justice Hill is still here as well.

It’s hard to sit here and say being down a Mark Ingram is going to be a net positive for the Ravens, but let’s be real, worse things could happen. Do you know who averages the most yards per carry (Lamar Jackson excluded)? It’s J.K. Dobbins with a 6.2 yards per carry. The Ravens need to see if Dobbins can be the workhorse for the offense, the main attraction of a running back trio every team wishes they had.

This is the chance for Dobbins to make a big impact on a game. It would behoove the Ravens to give him the bulk of the carries. When you look at the Pittsburgh Steelers you see an abundance of power. The loss of Devin Bush is a big one for the Steelers. More specifically, its a huge loss of elite speed at the inside linebacker spot. Their front seven is still incredibly potent, but they could get gashed by a quick back like Dobbins.

Gus Edwards will have his job to do on Sunday, however speed is what could get the necessary work done against the Steelers. Dobbins time, right?

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The fact is that Dobbins has exactly half as many rushing attempts that Ingram has had. This is despite the fact that Dobbins looks like he has the pop that Ingram used to have in the run game. It’s hard to find a bigger Ingram fan than me. I loved him at Alabama. I thought he was the real deal with the Saints and have enjoyed his Ravens days immensely (Big Truzz, man).

Here’s the thing, Dobbins is the most gifted athlete in the running back rotation. His speed in conjunction with Lamar Jackson’s speed could make the 2019 magic come back to life. Here is what I think: If you give Dobbins 25 total touches against the Steelers, the Ravens win that game. If you work Dobbins like the young star that he is, he’ll get you the results your’re looking for. It’s that simple.

The bottom line:

Dobbins is the best running back the Ravens have for this particular match up with the Steelers. Dobbins is getting the most out of each rushing attempt and getting the fewest chances.

This is a simple course correction thing and Ingram’s injury forces Greg Roman’s hands. The Ravens may get there by circumstance, but make no mistake, this is what needs to happen. Especially against the Steelers. While we’re at it, let Devin Duvernay cook too.