Ravens Weekly Game Recap

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Week 1 vs Bills

The Ravens were at home to start the season. The Bills came to town, and the Ravens were looking to get off to a good start of their season. Neither team really got going on offense in this one, but the Ravens managed to get the win 25-7.

The Ravens offense only managed 223 total yards against the suffocating defense of the Bills. The Bills D only had 3 sacks in this one but Joe Flacco was harassed the entire game. Flacco did finish the game 12-17 for 159 yards and 2 tds along with 1 int. It was a fairly costly interception though, as Sterling Moore returned it 78 yards, but the hustling Ravens managed to tackle him on the 3 yards line. Steve Smith was the leading receiver for the Ravens with 4 catches for 64 yards and 1 TD. TE Ben Watson also had a TD.

The Ravens run game had trouble against the Bills. They only managed 92 total yards. Javorius Allen was the leading rusher for the Ravens, totaling 61 yards on just 9!carries. Starter Justin Forsett faired much differently as he only had 19 yards on 11 carries. Coach Harbaugh said after the game that he is always evaluating and might make a change to Allen next week depending on practice this week.

The real stars of this game for the Ravens were on defense. The Bills could only manage 145 total yards and only 31 on the ground. Elvis Dumervil was in the backfield and disruptive all game. He finished with 6 tackles, 2 for loss, and 1.5 sacks. The biggest difference maker in this game though, was recently acquired CB Aaron Colvin. He made plays all over the field and finished with 3 int's. The owner was asked about Colvin, "every time he made a play, he made me look better for trading for him." Ladarius Webb also had an int in this game as Tyrod Taylor struggled with the pressure all game. Taylor finished 12-26, 0TD and 4 int's.

The Ravens hope they can keep their winning ways going next week, as they head to Cleveland to take on the 1-0 Browns.

 

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Week 2 vs Browns

The Ravens were on the road in week 2. They went into the "dog pound" and got bit. The Ravens were completely shut down offensively as they were beaten 13-0.

The whole offense is to blame in this one. Joe Flacco will most likely get the blame though, as he finished 17-29 for only 179 yards, 0 TDS and 2 int's. But no one on the offense helped Flacco in this one. Especially the O-Line which gave up 8 sacks and constant pressures. The receivers also dropped way to many passes.

The running game also never got going. The Tavens could only manage 41 yards on the ground. The Ravens were also terrible when they got into the red zone as they went 0-2 on red zone trips. And that's also where Flacco's int's were thrown.

The Baltimore defense did play well enough to win in this one, holding the Browns to just 203 total yards. Robert Griffin was 11-13 for 121 0 TDs and 1 int. The Browns were led in the ground by Raheem Mostert, who ran for 94 yards on 15 carries. The lone touchdown for the Browns was by K'Waun Williams on an interception return.

The Ravens will get back to the drawing board. And hope to find a way to get back in the win column next week against the Jaguars, which are 1-1 on the season.

 

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Week 3 vs Jaguars

In week 3 the Ravens traveled to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars. It was a different city but same results for this Ravens team. Turnovers and sacks once again doomed the Ravens chances of winning, as they loose 20-17 in OT. Flacco was sacked 7 more times in this one. And the constant pressure caused Flacco to turn the ball over 3 more times.

The Ravens did have a few chances to win this game however. But the Jags finally pulled out the win, with a field goal, with just under 30 seconds left in OT.

Flacco finished 18-28 for 225 yards, 2 TDs and 3 int's. The leading receiver for the Ravens was Kamar Aiken, as he finished with 7 catches for 73 yards. The run game was better in this game, as the Ravens ran for 115 total yards. The top rusher was again Buck Allen with 44 yards. But the big back Lorenzo Taliaferro showed some nice flashes as he finished with a 7.4 average.

The defense once again played very well. Only giving up 249 total yards, with only 44 rushing. The defense just needs some help from this offense, for the Ravens to have a chance at winning some games. Although I'm not sure the offensive help the D needs is even on this roster at this time.

The Ravens will be back home next week and the Raiders are coming to town. The Raiders have looked very impressive so far this season, which doesn't bode well for the Ravens.

 

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Week 4 vs Raiders

Another week, another poor performance from the Ravens. They drop to 1-3 after the 21-11 loss to Oakland. This loss once again put squarely on the offense. Another 4 sacks added to the ridiculous total that this line has given up. Flacco also adds 2 more int's to his total. And he also fumbled 2 more times in this game. The Ravens could only muster 138 total yards in this one.

The running game never got going. Only 28 yards total. Taliaferro led the team with 24 yards on 7 carries. Flacco finished with an embarrassing 11-21 for 141 and 1 TD. But to be fair to him there were a bunch of drops by this inept wide receiver corp. WR Christ Matthews had the lone highlight of this game as he caught a long corner route and took it for a 51 yard TD. He finished with 3 catches for 76 yards. Kamar Aiken led the Ravens with 5 catches.

The defense once again played very well. Only allowing 249 total yards. 140 passing and 109 rushing. Although most of the yardage came on 2 long runs (54,29) in the 4th QT. by Kerwynn Williams. Williams finished with 111 yards and 2 TDS on 16 carries. No other Raiders players had any carries. The Ravens held Derek Carr pretty well as he finished 15-23 for 172 with 1 TD and 1 INT.

If the defense could ever get a bit of help, this team could put up some W's. But until that happens, this team will continue to struggle. They are at home next week against the 2-1(at time of article) Redskins.

 

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Week 5 vs Redskins

In week 5 the 1-3 Ravens were at home against the Redskins. The Ravens came in to this game on a 3 game losing streak. The Ravens really needed to get things going offensively to end this losing streak. They didn't really bust out offensively but they did enough to get the win.

The offense finally started moving the ball in this one as they total 316 yards. The running game carried the load. The Ravens had 179 total yards on the ground. They were led by Lorenzo Taliaferro's 101 yards on 11 carries. That's a pretty good stat line but 76 of those yards came on one long touchdown run. Buck Allen chipped in with 46 and a TD. Justin Forsett had 27 yards on 4 carries also.

The Ravens relied heavily on that running attack, which kept Joe Flacco's numbers pretty pedestrian. As he went 11-17 for 168. But Flacco didn't throw the costly interceptions in this game that he has in the past 3 losses. The offensive line once again allowed to much pressure on Flacco, as he was sacked another 3 times in this game.

The defense once again played great. They only allowed 220 total yards and only 77 on the ground. They harassed Kirk Cousins all game. The Ravens totaled 7 sacks and one of those, by Elvis Dumervil, caused a fumble. The fumble was recovered by big Vance Walker and gave the Ravens a short field, which they turned into points.

The Ravens hope the wins keep coming next week when they travel to New York to take on the Giants. They will have to play much better next week if they want to beat the 3-1 Giants.

 

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Week 6 vs Giants

Week 6 saw the Ravens travel to New York to take on the 4-1 Giants. The Ravens offense actually showed up a little in this 27-19 win. The Ravens put up 352 total yards on offense. Flacco finished 14-23 for 232 and 2 TDS. But he couldn't help himself and still threw 3 int's. Flacco really needs to quit trying to force balls into tight coverage.

Coach Harbaugh made some changes up front on the offensive line this week. He swapped the guards,right and left, and it seemed to help out in pass blocking. The Ravens gave up their season low (2) sacks. It also helped out the run as the Ravens had one of their better performances on the ground with 139 yards. Buck Allen led the team with 75 yards on 8 carries. He had a long of 46 yards on a first quarter TD. Taliaferro had the most carries 15, but could only manage 51 yards. He also made a huge turnover as he fumbled inside the red zone to put the brakes on a nice drive for the Ravens.

Kamar Aiken was the top receiver for Baltimore. He hauled in 4 passes for 103 yards and 2 TDS. One of those came on a beautiful play action wheel route against a Giants man blitz for a 71 yard TD.

The defense probably had their worst game in terms of yardage. They gave up 333 total yards. They did hold the Giants run game in check. Only allowing 33 yards. But the Eli Manning to OBJ connection was though to stop for the Ravens. They connected 5 times for 172 yards and 1 TD. But they did hold Manning to only 35% completions. He finished 11-31 for 300 yards. With 2 TDS and 2 int's. One of those was extremely costly as Aaron Colvin took one to the house for 6.

The Ravens will stay in New York for next weeks game against the Jets. This game is sure to be a struggle for both offenses. Both teams have top 10 defenses.

 

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Week 7 vs Jets

Week 7 saw the Ravens in New York against the Jets. Both of these defenses came into this game ranked in the top 10. So this game figures to be a struggle for both offenses. And that was definitely the case as the Ravens lose 14-13. The Ravens had a chance to tie the game with less than a minute left. But instead of the extra point Coach Harbaugh decided to roll the dice and go for the win. Flacco had a man open and threw a good ball, but Kamar Aiken dropped the pass.

Coach Harbaugh was asked in post game interview why that decision. He stated," Our offense wasn't moving the ball today, and we were on the road. I thought it was the right decision."

Coach Harbaugh was at least right about the offense. They were stuck in neutral all day. The Ravens could only manage 244 total yards. And nothing in the run game, as they only rushed for 39. Taliaferro did rush for 1 TD in this game. He finished with 23 yards. Joe Flacco wasn't bad in this one, but he wasn't good either. He finished 12-17 for 209 yards with 1 TD and 2 int's. His interception total for the season is getting a little ridiculous. Although one of his int's wasn't his fault. He threw a good ball and the receiver just stood there and watched it go by his head, to the waiting hands of Darrelle Revis. Steve Smith was the leading receiver for the Ravens. He hauled in 4 catches for 58 yards. TE Benjamin Watson had the lone TD.

The Ravens defense from a score board perspective had a good game. But in reality they struggled. They gave up 287 total yards. They couldn't get off the field on third down. The Jets converted 8-11 third downs. And 1-1 on 4th. And that resulted in a lopsided time of possession. 25 to 14 minutes.

The Ravens now fall to 3-4 on the season. At least with a bye week, next week, the Ravens won't drop another game. After the bye the Ravens welcome the Steelers to town.

 

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Week 9 vs Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers came to town in week 9 for a big divisional game with the Ravens. The season hasn't been good for either of these teams so far. The Ravens have been relying heavily on their defense all season while the offense has struggled mightily. And that's an understatement. So it was no surprise that the defense played well again in this game. They held the Steelers to 260 total yards. And only 5 of those yards were on the ground.

The Ravens forced 5 turnovers, all of which were from the arm of Ben Rothlisberger. Aaron Colvin who has been a standout on this defense since his acquisition had 2 more int's this week. Which moves his total to 7 for the season. Timmy Jernigan also continued to put pressure on the QB, as he recorded his 8th sack of the season.

The big surprise is this game though was the offense. They put up their highest points and yards of the season. They put up 36 points and had over 445 total yards. They seemed to have much more balance this week. 259 yards through the air to go along with 188 on the ground. Joe Flacco did throw another interception but he seemed to learn how to throw the ball away this week. He finished 15-23 for 273 yards and 1 TD. Steve Smith was his leading receiver this week. He hauled in 4 passes for 124 yards and the lone passing TD. 7 different Ravens caught passes this week from Flacco.

The running attack also looked good this week. Led by Buck Allen, who had 122 yards on 22 carries and 2 TDS. Taliaferro also looked good. He had a 7.5 average on his 4 carries. The rookie from LA Tech, Kenneth Dixon also had one of his better days. He had 6 carries for 27 yards on the ground, but he had 80 yards on 3 punt returns. He set the offense up with good field position with his return game this week.

The Ravens really need to string some wins together, in a tight AFC north. They will look to do that next week, when they are at home against a Browns team that has already beaten the Ravens this year.