The Baltimore Ravens matchup with the Detroit Lions will be the first real test of how good this team can be. The Ravens have taken care of business and have two upset losses, but the Lions come in with a better record, the first time the Ravens have seen that from their foe.
If the Ravens want to win this game they have to make some adjustments. What can they do?
3. The Baltimore Ravens need to lean towards heavier personnel
One thing the Ravens have to do is look toward their heavier personnel. Last week, they activated Charlie Kolar for the first time since Mark Andrews has been healthy. They technically had a fourth tight end active because Patrick Ricard plays there so often.
Isiah Likely has seen his snaps reduced dramatically, but it may be time to ramp him back up. First, with the struggles of Odell Beckham and Rashod Bateman, these tight ends may provide more value. Through six weeks, the Ravens rank 12th in expected points added when an extra tight end is on the field with 0.06 and 12th when Patrick Ricard is on the field at 0.11.
When both Likely and Ricard are on the field together, they rank 4th, although that is just 15 snaps, but the EPA is still 0.12. Then, in the 11-personnel, which is three wide receivers, the Ravens rank 26th with an EPA of -0.14. It is costing the team right now.
On the flip side, the Lions rank ninth against 11-personnel, but when you sub out a wide receiver for a tight end, they rank 12th. Even worse, the Lions rank 20th when 13-personnel is on the field, which means three tight ends. It is by far the worst this defense looks against any personnel formation.
The team that took advantage the most was the Seattle Seahawks, who scored 37 points in a road win against the Lions. Noah Fant had 56 yards, Colby Parkinson had 41 yards, and Will Dissly had 35. The Ravens should lean into this, and we should see something similar to beat the Lions
2. The Baltimore Ravens should give Keaton Mitchell a chance
The Baltimore Ravens have been looking for an element of explosion out of their running backs ever since they lost J.K. Dobbins in week one. Gus Edwards is a power back, and they need a compliment. Justice Hill got banged up, and then Kenyan Drake had a costly fumble, Hill took back over but had a bad fumble as well. All said the Ravens do not have an answer from their speed back.
Last week may have been the last straw for Justice Hill. The Ravens activated Keaton Mitchell. While he did not play, that was expected, considering he is a rookie, and this is his first game back from an injury. However, now he has had two weeks to practice, he is obviously in full health, and the Ravens need his speed. Why not give him a shot?
Mitchell could be the spark that this offense needs. The Lions' run defense has toughness, but a speed back could catch them off-guard, especially an unknown coming back from the IR.
The Ravens have to give Mitchell a look this week if they want to compete with the Detroit Lions.
1. The Baltimore Ravens have to follow Amon-Ra St. Brown with Marlon Humphrey
When you look at the Detroit Lions offense, it is hard to see them getting much going in the passing game without Amon-Ra St. Brown. How the Ravens defend St. Brown may dictate whether they win or lose. St. Brown plays over half of his snaps in the slot. That would mean that he is spending a lot of this game matched up with Arthur Maulet.
That could work, and Maulet has not been bad, but he may be the last cornerback the Ravens want on the Lions' top wideout. The best cornerback would be Marlon Humphrey. The Ravens have not moved Humphrey around in recent weeks, but he has also been on a snap count.
Humphrey went from 55% to 82% last week, so you would assume that he is ready for 100% of the snaps. With Brandon Stephens likely to play 100% of the snaps across from him, they can finally move their cornerbacks around because there is no platoon to stick to. Stephens is also versatile and even had to move to safety last week.
When you add that Ronald Darby or Rock Ya-Sin can play outside when Marlon Humphrey plays the slot, it is hard to think why the team would not try this. Humphrey can follow St. Brown all over the field. He can shut him down in the slot and take him outside as well. It puts the Ravens' best on the Lions' best and prevents St. Brown from having a big day. The personnel is fully equipped to make that happen, so why not try it this weekend?