Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson returned to South Florida to face the Miami Dolphins in Week 10, and he got sat down.
Prior to the matchup, Jackson and the Ravens ruled the top of the league with the second-ranked offense, and history favored their side as well. Two years ago, Jackson threw five touchdowns to pulverize a stifled Dolphins team, winning that game 59-10.
Oh, how the tables have turned.
The Ravens’ Week 10 offensive performance was one of the worst ever in Jackson’s career. Jackson went 26-of-43 for 238 yards, recording one touchdown against one interception.
Much of the blame could be placed on Baltimore’s offensive line, which failed to contain a blitz-heavy Dolphins defense.
According to Next Gen Stats, Dolphins safeties Jevon Holland and Brandon Jones both blitzed more times than any defensive back has blitzed in a game in the past five years (21 and 17 times respectively). Holland also set career-highs in defensive snaps (70) and quarterback pressures (4).
Miami has been running the blitz all season, but in this game, whether due to Baltimore’s lack of preparation or lack of talent, the Dolphins stripped the Ravens’ O-line naked and ran away with their clothes — and with the game.
The offensive line has been ravaged by more injuries than arguably any other position on the Ravens roster (aside from many running back), and their lackluster performance in Week 10 didn’t come out of the blue.
In each of Baltimore’s losses this season, the O-line played a huge factor in not giving Jackson enough time to throw the ball.
The offensive line struggled with edge pressure against the Las Vegas Raiders, lost the battle in the trenches against the Cincinnati Bengals, and most recently fell apart against Miami’s blitz.
The Ravens have struggled with offensive line issues in every loss so far this season
Baltimore’s current O-line consists of Ben Powers at left guard and Tyre Phillips at right tackle, two players who’ve gotten starts due to lack of depth at their respective positions.
Powers has started the past eight games and played 100 percent of offensive snaps in the most recent four matchups. Phillips has started the last two and also played 100 percent of offensive snaps.
The two have been thrust forward into the spotlight as starting offensive linemen, but it seems like they may not yet be up to the task given their inconsistencies and Phillips’ particular struggle to adapt to a new position (he filled in at right tackle after Patrick Mekari got injured).
It’s worth considering what changes could be in store for the Ravens’ offensive line in the next matchup against the Chicago Bears.
For one, if Mekari recovers in time, he could slide back to right tackle in Week 11 and seamlessly pick up where he left off. If Mekari isn’t healthy enough to play, the Ravens have another right tackle option in veteran Cedric Ogbuehi.
Filling the right tackle spot would mean Phillips can return to his natural left guard position and share snaps with Powers as well as Ben Cleveland, the rookie who could come off injured reserve next week.
Plugging a few players in different positions won’t magically solve the Ravens’ offensive line woes, but if their recent loss to Miami was any indication, Baltimore may be going down a very slippery slope.
A bit of change — and an offensive line shake-up — could turn this Ravens team around and put them back on track.