4 changes Baltimore Ravens must make to survive Mark Andrews injury

3. The Baltimore Ravens can lean into the ground game

One area where Mark Andrews did struggle was as a blocker. Still, the Baltimore Ravens had the best rushing offense in the NFL anyway. It helps when Lamar Jackson can make magic on the ground, but Gus Edwards has been a power back, and Keaton Mitchell has emerged in recent weeks as well. 

The Ravens are one of the more run-heavy teams in the NFL, but they actually could lean into it a bit more. They are by far at their best rushing the football from 11-personnel. They gain 0.14 expected points per play when they run from this formation, which is third-best in the NFL behind just Buffalo and Miami.

This is three receivers and one tight end. Yes, the tight end is gone, and them being a passing threat could open up the run as much as Andrews being a blocker. 

Still, the Ravens have a chance to do two things: run the ball more from this formation and use Patrick Ricard as their one in-line blocker.

First, they are already using Ricard more in this role. He has been an in-line tight on 71% of his snaps this season. He always had a role that moved around, but was at 49% last year and 46% the year prior. He is seeing this role much more expanded already.

He is a part of why the Ravens are so good at running this look. Still, the Ravens only run the ball 24.4% of the time from 11-personell. On the flip side, when they have more tight ends or fullbacks, they are closer to a 60% run rate. 

The Ravens can mix this up and be less predictable without Andrews. They can spread teams out with their receivers, but add Ricard as a blocker and run from 11-personnel.