Without starting quarterback Joe Flacco on the field and some changes to the offensive line, few people are expecting the Baltimore Ravens offense to do much of anything this preseason. While that might be true, the offense can still provide a spark to help Baltimore?s defense out en route to victory.
If they follow these offensive keys, they should earn a victory on Thursday against the Miami Dolphins.
Run the ball:
With Flacco still out with a back injury, the Ravens are going to putting a team of quarterbacks on the field including failed journeymen like Thaddeus Lewis and Ryan Mallett. So let?s not expect a number of touchdown throws and quarterbacks slinging the ball all over the field this week.
Instead, the quarterbacks will likely take a more measured and efficient approach on the back of a strong run game. It?ll be led by running back Terrance West, but will feature depth players like Javorius Allen, rookie Taquan Mizzell and Bobby Rainey each getting a chance to carry the ball.
If Baltimore can keep the clock ticking, the game will go faster (which is never a bad thing in the preseason) and it?ll take significantly more pressure off the quarterbacks to make big plays. It?ll also help the team better diagnose and fix issues along the offensive line, which is quickly becoming the team?s biggest concern.
Clean football:
In the past, the biggest hurdle for Baltimore?s offense has simply playing clean football. That means no penalties and no turnovers giving the Dolphins something to build off of. Even if they only get a few first downs and struggle to move the ball consistently, the defense will do their best to ensure the Ravens win the field position battle. That alone should put them in a position to put up points on the leg of kicker Justin Tucker eventually.
For the quarterbacks, that means not taking any crazy shots. There is likely to be someone open along the way. Taking the time to read the entire defense and see the field should help find them and keep things moving forward. For the running backs, second efforts will get an extra few yards. For the offensive line, not holding or jumping offsides is a primary concern in addition to holding their own.
Again, no one is really expecting the offense to put up 50 points at any point in the preseason, so if they just keep churning away at the defense, they?ll find an opening somewhere just like they did last week against the Redskins.
Get the tight ends involved:
One thing that was noticed from Week 1 was that Baltimore never really got their tight ends involved. Between the three tight ends that saw real action, there were two receptions on three targets for a grand total of 13 yards. It?s hard to get excited about that type of production from a unit that has been so critical to the success of the Ravens? passing attack in previous seasons.
In Week 2, Baltimore will have to use their tight ends more as receivers. If Benjamin Watson suits up this week, I?d like to see more than 7 targets for the four tight ends playing, hopefully with at least one touchdown in the mix.
This isn?t to say the Ravens? tight ends are amazing, but they have been utilized a lot in the past and should continue to be used this season as well. They are a good security blanket and outlet valve for the quarterback and I want to see each of them fight for the ball in the preseason to determine who really wants that starting job the most.
If they can get the tight ends into the mix early and often, the offense should be able to get a few critical first downs and start the field position game quickly, if not just post up points themselves. That?s how this team will really win football games this season.
If they follow these offensive keys, they should earn a victory on Thursday against the Miami Dolphins.
Run the ball:
With Flacco still out with a back injury, the Ravens are going to putting a team of quarterbacks on the field including failed journeymen like Thaddeus Lewis and Ryan Mallett. So let?s not expect a number of touchdown throws and quarterbacks slinging the ball all over the field this week.
Instead, the quarterbacks will likely take a more measured and efficient approach on the back of a strong run game. It?ll be led by running back Terrance West, but will feature depth players like Javorius Allen, rookie Taquan Mizzell and Bobby Rainey each getting a chance to carry the ball.
If Baltimore can keep the clock ticking, the game will go faster (which is never a bad thing in the preseason) and it?ll take significantly more pressure off the quarterbacks to make big plays. It?ll also help the team better diagnose and fix issues along the offensive line, which is quickly becoming the team?s biggest concern.
Clean football:
In the past, the biggest hurdle for Baltimore?s offense has simply playing clean football. That means no penalties and no turnovers giving the Dolphins something to build off of. Even if they only get a few first downs and struggle to move the ball consistently, the defense will do their best to ensure the Ravens win the field position battle. That alone should put them in a position to put up points on the leg of kicker Justin Tucker eventually.
For the quarterbacks, that means not taking any crazy shots. There is likely to be someone open along the way. Taking the time to read the entire defense and see the field should help find them and keep things moving forward. For the running backs, second efforts will get an extra few yards. For the offensive line, not holding or jumping offsides is a primary concern in addition to holding their own.
Again, no one is really expecting the offense to put up 50 points at any point in the preseason, so if they just keep churning away at the defense, they?ll find an opening somewhere just like they did last week against the Redskins.
Get the tight ends involved:
One thing that was noticed from Week 1 was that Baltimore never really got their tight ends involved. Between the three tight ends that saw real action, there were two receptions on three targets for a grand total of 13 yards. It?s hard to get excited about that type of production from a unit that has been so critical to the success of the Ravens? passing attack in previous seasons.
In Week 2, Baltimore will have to use their tight ends more as receivers. If Benjamin Watson suits up this week, I?d like to see more than 7 targets for the four tight ends playing, hopefully with at least one touchdown in the mix.
This isn?t to say the Ravens? tight ends are amazing, but they have been utilized a lot in the past and should continue to be used this season as well. They are a good security blanket and outlet valve for the quarterback and I want to see each of them fight for the ball in the preseason to determine who really wants that starting job the most.
If they can get the tight ends into the mix early and often, the offense should be able to get a few critical first downs and start the field position game quickly, if not just post up points themselves. That?s how this team will really win football games this season.
