The Baltimore Ravens’ offense is an awful mess. That was crystal clear in their Week 9 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Almost nothing went their way, and they’re desperate for Jacoby Brissett to somehow fix it.
The passing attack? 55 net yards. The rushing attack? That actually looked decent with 172 yards, but excluding a 65-yard rushing touchdown from Justice Hill, it’s down to 107 yards and an average of 3.14 yards per carry.
Obviously, this was expected with undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano starting. However, Declan Doyle’s playcalling was way too conservative; in fact, it was terrible. More notably, though, the offensive line is dysfunctional, and isn’t paving the way for any consistency in the air or on the ground.
After seeing Baltimore’s Week 9 disaster, there’s very little hope Brissett can turn things around. It’s a massive challenge for the veteran when the trade is finalized.
Baltimore Ravens' inept offense may make Jacoby Brissett's job impossible
When reports surfaced of the Ravens acquiring Jacoby Brissett, there was a glimmer of hope Baltimore could survive Lamar Jackson’s IR stint. With a softer-ish schedule, the run game hopefully opening up, and the passing attack gaining a more talented passer, there was, and I guess still is, belief that Brissett could make things more competent.
Week 9 made that extremely hard to believe in, though.
It all starts with the offensive line. Baltimore finally had a healthy unit on Thursday — it didn’t translate into better production. They allowed 1 sack and 4 QB hits on 19 dropbacks, meaning Joe Fagnano was hit a whopping 26.3% of the time.
Brissett’s experience could bring a slight boost there. He’s played behind horrid offensive lines and with horrendous offenses like the Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, and Arizona Cardinals.
But that’s never led to winning football. His career record is 23-50, and he hasn’t had a winning campaign.
Derrick Henry and Zay Flowers by his side may make things look somewhat manageable. And a more trusted arm and better poise in the pocket should open up Declan Doyle’s playbook. Unfortunately, Doyle has become a question mark, too.
Against the Jaguars, Doyle wasn’t up to the task. He was too predictable. Derrick Henry wildcat, Zay Flowers reverse, screen passes. Rinse and repeat. Sure, it started well over the first two drives; it was almost completely ineffective the rest of the way.
Even before Fagnano, Doyle’s offense lacked much juice without Jackson. The passing game missed that creativity, and the run game saw loaded boxes and condensed defensive looks they couldn’t beat.
Granted, Tyler Huntley and Fagnano don’t have much arm talent, but even Brissett’s arm has regressed. If no one outside Zay Flowers can rise to the occasion, Brissett will be in an insanely tough spot.
Is the 33-year-old talented enough to bring the offense out of the gutter? Not with the way the unit is playing right now, and especially not with how it played in Week 9. This group has to look at themselves in the mirror long and hard if they want to dig themselves out of this.
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