The plan wasn’t for left tackle Ronnie StanleyTo play all series except one against the New York Giants last Sunday. Stanley had to rotate each possession. Patrick Mekari. Even if you start right Morgan MosesIn the second quarter, he was unable to walk due to a heel injury. RavensWe were willing to follow the script.
Until Stanley interjected.
“He said, ‘No, I want to play,’” Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman said Thursday. “He’s playing at a high level, and he continues to get better and kind of get his chops back, all the little nuanced things. He’s playing well. Looking forward to what we’re doing moving forward with him.”
Stanley, who entered the season having been sidelined for 27 of the Ravens’ previous 28 games due to an ankle injury that required multiple surgeries, had said all along that he wasn’t going to rush back to the field. He would only return to the field when his ankle felt strong enough to allow him back to his pre-injury level.
Stanley may not be there yet, at least if you ask him, but the numbers suggest he’s not far off. Pro Football Focus says Stanley has blocked 44 pass-blocking plays since his return in Week 5. He has not allowed any quarterback pressure.
Sunday’s matchup against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium will give Stanley a better idea of where he’s at. He’s likely to spend a chunk of the game matched up against Browns star Myles Garrett, one of the league’s most dynamic and disruptive edge rushers. When he’s not facing Garrett, there’s a good chance he’ll be blocking Jadeveon ColowneyThe 2014 No. 1 overall draft pick.
Pro Football Focus reports that Garrett has played a majority of the season at right end. He lined up over the left tackle in 200 of his defensive snaps. In last week’s loss to the New England PatriotsGarrett moved to the right side for 30 snaps. Clowney was injured and missed the game, so that may have been why Garrett moved to the left side.
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Both players are expected to play Sunday, and containing them is a focus for the Ravens’ offense. Clowney has 1 1/2 sacks and a forced fumble this season, but he’s played in just three games. Garrett, who is coming off a 16-sack year, has five sacks through his first five games, despite some physical challenges.
“You have to bring attention to him in various ways. You can’t just treat him like everyone else,” Roman said of Garrett. “You have to rob Peter to pay Paul at times to try to account for him from a numerical standpoint. Perhaps get two men on him and chip him. There are various ways and means, but at the same time, you can’t bring yourself to a halt because all you’re worried about is that. Trust the players, trust your plan, and mix it up with them. You can’t let him take over the game.”
Garrett was limited by the Ravens early in his career. He was held to 1 1/2 sacks during their first six matchups. Garrett recorded two sacks and eight tackles in two games last season. He also had a forced fumble recovery, defensive touchdown, and eight tackles.
Stanley didn’t play in either of those games against Cleveland last season. He’s back, and by late Sunday afternoon, we should have a better idea of how far he’s come.
During game weeks, we’ll take a look at some of the big storylines, key matchups, primary questions and roster decisions the Ravens face heading into their contest. Now for this week’s first-and-10:
1. It’s been a mixed bag for quarterback Lamar JacksonHe was a Browns fan. He’s had three games of throwing three touchdown passes and one four-interception game versus Cleveland. Jackson needs to get back in a rhythm, and stop making mistakes late in games. His recent struggles haven’t gotten the attention the Ravens’ fourth-quarter woesThey do not have to be, but they are inseparable. Jackson was a early-season MVP favourite because he completed 64 percent of his passes, threw 10 touchdown passes, and interceptions. In his last three, he’s completed 60 percent of his passes with three touchdown passes and four interceptions. Jackson, who had been repeatedly burned by blitzes earlier this season, is now struggling to resist pressure. He completed just half of his throws against blitz in his last three games, with two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Browns blitz 26.1 % of the time. This number could increase on Sunday. With Jackson dealing with a sore hip, the Browns will probably want to test his mobility and the quarterback’s willingness to take a hit.
2.Ravens No. Just like Ravens No. Rashod bateman returned to practice, the team’s top pass catcher, tight end Mark AndrewsA knee injury kept him out of action for most of the week. The same as the DeSean Jackson, a veteran, signs up for a practice squad seemed to indicate a potential shakeup at the position, Ravens coach John Harbaugh backed seldom-used receiver James Proche and predicted that the third-year pro is “going to step up in the next few weeks, and you’re going to see him make some plays.” Andrews returned to practice Friday, and it’s believed he’ll play Sunday. Bateman is not considered a game time decision. But, Andrews practicing all week is a positive indicator. The Ravens will have to play until 4 p.m. ET Saturday. ET Saturday to elevate DeSean JohnsonFrom the practice squad. A healthy Bateman and Andrews, coupled with the addition of DeSean Jackson’s speed, would be a positive development for the Ravens’ offense, but there are legitimate questions on all three fronts.
3. It took all of six games for the criticism of Roman’s pass-run call ratio to return. The noise grew louder this week after the Ravens had just 24 rushes in last Sunday’s loss to the Giants despite averaging 8.8 yards a carry. With a first-and-goal at the Giants’ 5-yard line, they didn’t try running the ball once. In six games, the Ravens ran the ball 157 more times than any other team. That’s the 12th most in the NFLThey are currently on pace to make 445 rushing attempts. To put that number in perspective, they ran the ball 517 times in last season’s 17-game campaign. After all the criticism this week, it would be surprising if we didn’t see a run-heavy offensive game plan. Statistics show that the Browns are the Ravens’ worst run defense this season. TruMedia has ranked Cleveland 27th for rush defense success rate (56.5%) and it has allowed a league record four touchdown runs of 12 yards. There’s no excuse for Roman not to keep the ball on the ground as long as the Ravens are having success.
4. The Browns arrive in Baltimore with the league’s most productive run game and most productive running back (Nick ChubbThe Ravens have a league-leading 649 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. The Ravens have the league’s sixth-best rushing attack, but they lead the NFL with an average of 5.9 yards per carry. While there’s little doubt the Browns will feature Chubb with Kareem Hunt mixed in, the players who will constitute the Ravens’ backfield are less assured. This much is certain. This is what you should do after the four previous games. J.K. Dobbins won’t play and is The plan is to have another knee surgery.. However, Gus EdwardsHe is close to his 2022 debut but there are no guarantees for Sunday. Justice HillAfter missing two games with a strained left hamstring, Hill is now ready to go. Hill Kenyan DrakeThe rushing record for Week 6 was 119 yards with a touchdown. He is likely to carry the majority of the carries on Sunday. Ravens seem determined to keep their backs turned early and take the hot hand late.
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5. Beyond the obvious, which is stopping the Browns’ strong run game, the Ravens’ defense needs to figure out an answer for its third-down woes. Their defense is ranked 12th best in third down, and they are succeeding at 37.7 percent. But, they have the advantage of forcing the New York JetsIn Week 1, the Ravens will be 2-for-14 in third down. The Ravens have converted on third down 44% of the times in five games. Baltimore has struggled to leave the field late in games. 7 out of 14 third downs were won by the Giants. On paper, the Browns aren’t a big-play passing game team with quarterback Jacoby BrissettAlthough the receiver is not very large, Amari CooperThis is clearly a very talented team. But, Cleveland has converted 41.2 percent of third downs. There’s a lot of pressure on Ravens first-year defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald to make some calls to get his defense off the field more.
6.Brissett is a skilled veteran who clearly has seen how other teams have attacked Ravens through the air. Opposing quarterbacks challenge cornerbacks in the majority of cases. Marlon HumphreyAnd Marcus PetersIf necessary, Macdonald often targets the third cornerback of the field for Ravens. Macdonald used many players to fill this role, including Brandon Stephens, Jalyn Armour-Davis, Damarion WilliamAnd Ar’Darius Washington. Macdonald challenged the young men in his corner this week to take that spot. All four received opportunities. Stephens took 57 snaps during Week 4, but only 34 in the two subsequent games. Armour-Davis took 38 snaps in Week 2 and was then sent to the bench after only nine snaps in week 3. Since then, he has been a healthy scratch. Williams’ snaps have fluctuated from 37 in Week 2 to zero in Week 4 to 47 in Week 5 to 16 last week. Washington made his season debut last Thursday, playing 12 snaps. The Ravens prefer to have one player as their No. After the season-ending knee injury, the Ravens will be relying on just one player to fill that No. 3 cornerback position. Kyle FullerWeek 1. Sunday presents another opportunity to one of the unproven cornerbacks for that job.
7.Even if the game is still close going into the fourth quarter neither team should feel great about itself. The Ravens’ late-game woes have been well documented, as they’ve been outscored 64-22 over the final 15 minutes. The Ravens’ minus-42 point differential in the fourth quarter/overtime is the worst in the league and the 12th-worst mark for any team through six games dating back to 2000. Humphrey was accompanied by Lamar Jackson who acknowledged that the team had many conversations about its late-game struggles. They concluded that it needed to take a step back and let go. In contrast, the Browns allowed an NFL-high total of 67 points during the fourth quarter. In Week 2, the Browns lost a 13 point lead against the Jets in the final 90 seconds. They also wasted fourth-quarter leads against them. Atlanta FalconsAnd Los Angeles Chargers. There’s likely to be some anxious moments for both teams late Sunday afternoon.
With the injury to J.K. Dobbins, the return of Gus Edwards would be timely for the Ravens’ backfield. (Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
8.Numerous roster questions will be answered, most of them around 4 p.m. on Saturday. Are the Ravens certain that DeSean Jackson can be used as a practice squad elevator? Edwards, and perhaps an outside linebacker, available? Tyus Bowser good enough to go, where they’ll be activated to the 53-man roster the day before the game? How many of the large group of starting players missed practice? This includes Andrews, the outside linebacker. Justin HoustonPeters and Peters will be available Sunday? What about practice squad elevations, Ravens need more roster depth? Only 51 players are on the Ravens roster so they only have four available spots. Dobbins would be placed on injured reserve, giving them a fifth spot. There are a few practice squad names you should keep an eye on for possible elevations: DeSean Johnson, Washington defensive tackle Isaiah MackLinebacker outside Devon Kennard (if Houston can’t go). The Browns like to use jumbo packages and multi-tight end sets to run the ball, so the Ravens won’t want to leave themselves thin in the front seven.
9. An interesting aspect of the Ravens’ roster decisions is how much they’ll be impacted by playing two games in five days. Baltimore hosts the Baltimore Ravens. Tampa Bay BuccaneersThursday. In certain cases, particularly with guys who might be coming off the physically unable to perform list and haven’t played (Edwards and Bowser, to name two), or guys dealing with nagging injuries, it would be a lot to ask them to play two games in such a short period. While a divisional game against Browns has more significance than an out of-conference matchup, the Ravens might be able to give a few extra days for some guys so they can prepare for Tampa Bay.
10.The Ravens will be celebrating the 10-year anniversary their Super Bowl XLVII-winning squad. It will be a lively atmosphere. Roughly 50 coaches and players from that team will be back at M&T Bank Stadium and recognized individually before kickoff. Middle linebacker and two of those players are there. Josh BynesKicker Justin TuckerOn Sunday, he will be wearing uniforms for the Ravens. Fans are encouraged to arrive early in order to enjoy the festivities.
Quick hits
• The Ravens have scored first in all six of their games this season and are the only team in the NFL to not allow points on an opponent’s first possession.
• Chubb and Lamar Jackson lead the NFL in carries of 10-plus yards with 21 and 17, respectively.
• The Ravens held Chubb to 75 yards on 25 carries in two games last season and have limited him to less than 80 yards rushing in six of eight career meetings. They have only five career rushing touchdowns against him.
• A significant chunk of Chubb’s runs are outside the tackle, which could mean Malik Harrison, one of the team’s more trusted edge setters, could be in line for increased snaps Sunday.
• Andrews has 35 catches and seven touchdowns in his past six games against the Browns, who have done well against opposing tight ends this season.
• Both Harbaugh and Roman mentioned the need to get Devin DuvernayThere were more touches after Sunday’s loss to the Giants. This likely means that wide receiver Sunday will be active.
• Under Harbaugh, the Ravens are 23-5 all time against the Browns.
• I’d imagine this game has plenty of significance for Ravens team president Sashi Brown, who had a highly scrutinized run as the top executive for the Browns.
Prediction
Ravens 27, Browns 21
It’s become nearly impossible to get a gauge on this Ravens team. They can quickly switch from playing dominant, dynamic football to being inept and error-prone. Not only have they not been able to consistently make game-securing plays in fourth quarters, but they’ve made sure games are close with their lack of execution over the first three quarters. Is there any reason to believe they will do anything differently this Sunday? They are a hard team to trust at the moment, but Lamar Jackson is due to play a strong game, the Browns aren’t equipped to create big plays through the air, and the Ravens recognize this is as close to a must-win as you can have in October.
(Top photo of Lamar Jackson & Myles Garrett: Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
