The Baltimore Ravens can’t allow Tyler Shough to get comfortable in Week 2. The New Orleans Saints quarterback can uncork the occasional big-time play, so while the Ravens are favored, the key to victory will be putting Shough under duress.
When you pressure the opposing quarterback, you win ball games in the NFL. When you pressure Shough, all the chips can quickly fall your way. The second-year pro has shown an inability to handle a strong pass rush. When a defender gets right up in his grill, the sky can start falling.
On Sunday, Baltimore will certainly bring the heat—they have the pieces to do that now. If Jesse Minter’s defense can collapse the pocket early and often, they should profit from Shough’s ensuing mistakes.
Baltimore Ravens’ defense needs to keep Tyler Shough off-balance in Week 2
Dating back to his college years, when Tyler Shough is under pressure, everything gets sent out of whack. He tends to rush throws, his mechanics become disconnected, and his overall ability takes a hit.
Right now, playing in the face of pressure is a hurdle he has yet to clear. Not only has his accuracy been sporadic in those situations, but his ability to evade sacks and throw the ball away hasn’t been up to snuff. Against the Detroit Lions, Shough took five sacks, fumbled twice (lost one), and at one point was 1-for-5 when pressured.
The Ravens must take advantage of that on Sunday.
And they have the pieces to do it. Tavius Robinson went crazy against the Indianapolis Colts with 7 pressures and a sack, Malaki Starks notched another sack, Travis Jones was living in the backfield, and Trey Hendrickson was the dominant defensive lineman NFL fans have grown to know, despite posting 0 sacks.
Now, Hendrickson’s status for Week 2 is uncertain. The veteran pass rusher missed the first two days of practice with a finger injury. However, even if they have to play without him, Baltimore should be able to find creative ways to harass the New Orleans offensive line and get to Shough.
Jesse Minter is that good. And the Saints offensive line looks to be that bad.
Their offensive front put up a 51.0 pass-blocking grade in Week 1. While left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. held up with a strong 72.0 overall grade, the rest of the group was very troublesome. That was especially true for the interior.
Center Erick McCoy allowed 4 pressures and 2 QB hits, and right guard Cesar Ruiz also allowed 2 pressures. That’s the exact spot where the Ravens can get to Shough.
Specifically, Shough has a problem fading away from throws when pass rushers come stampeding through the middle and right into his lap. When his footwork and mechanics drift in that unstable direction, the big defensive plays can start rolling in. With Travis Jones, Calais Campbell, and maybe even Nnamdi Madubuike on Baltimore’s defensive line, Shough could be in a world of hurt.
The Ravens need to contain Shough’s rushing ability, too. While he only ran 4 times for 8 yards against Detroit, he totaled 45 carries for 186 yards and 3 touchdowns as a rookie. Baltimore defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver knows his defense can’t look past that.
“He reminds me a little bit of a poor man’s Josh Allen,” Weaver said. “I don’t think he gets enough credit for how good an athlete he is.”
Ensuring you find ways to get pressure from the interior and off the edge can contain that, along with keeping Shough off-balance as a passer. It all goes hand in hand. Baltimore’s play in the trenches could dictate how this game goes, and it should be their first order of business as they try to stop the Saints offense.
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