Through just one half of action, the Baltimore Ravens continue to shoot themselves in the foot against the Kansas City Chiefs. Pre-snap penalties have long plagued the Ravens’ offense, and early in Week 4, those issues resurfaced and had a significant impact on the state of the game.
Baltimore finished the first half with six penalties for 56 yards. Three of them were pre-snap problems that charged them 15 yards. On their third drive of the game, the offense had two delay of game penalties in the span of three plays that ultimately killed all of their momentum.
These issues have been a common theme during the Lamar Jackson era, and despite several attempts each offseason to resolve them, they plague the offense each year. For an offense as high-powered as Baltimore’s, and a team that has endured endless struggles on defense, the drive-killing penalties may be the most glaring issue of all in 2025.
Pre-snap penalties have yet to be resolved in 2025
Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken tried endlessly to find a resolution to the communication errors this past offseason. The offensive unit made countless pre-snap errors in training camp, but Monken mentioned how they were testing out different cadences to prepare the team for road environments. However, it is clear in Week 4 that it has yet to work out.
It can be easy to point the blame at Monken, but the issues have stemmed long before the third-year offensive coordinator arrived in Charm City. During Greg Roman’s tenure, the problems were alive and well.
If Baltimore wants any shot at competing in 2025, the mental errors cannot persist. They possess the league’s best offense, and cannot let back-breaking penalties continue to end drives, and in turn, put the Ravens out of contention to win football games.
Jackson is now in his eighth year under center, and Head Coach John Harbaugh is in his 18th season as Baltimore’s coach. Silly penalties like delay of game, illegal motion, and illegal formation are actions you would see from young quarterbacks and head coaches, not seasoned veterans. Something has to give, and whether it be firing a coach, benching a starter, or whatever else, they need to find improvements to fix the issues sometime soon.