Week 3: Broncos at Ravens

Well, week 2 was a painful loss to a division rival. It was painful particularly because the Ravens looked like they could pull off a huge come-from-behind victory in the 2nd half. Had they not dug such a tremendous hole by the half (even by one score) they may've had a better shot. That said, they showed some moxie on offense that they haven't shown in recent years.

That said, onto week 3 vs the Denver Broncos. Denver is currently tied for leading their division at 2-0. So far they've beaten a dysfunctional 0-2 Raiders and an uncharacteristically beleaguered 0-2 Seahawks. Their total win spread for those two contests is just 4 points, so I wouldn't expect a blow out. The problem facing the Ravens porous OL facing Denver's intense pass rush. It goes without saying that Denver's pass rush is superior to Cincinnati's and Mornhinweg should be charging Von Miller rent for all the space he is occupying his head on this long week. Can Mornhinweg and D'Alessandris come up with a scheme to keep Joe upright and the pressure off long enough to make plays...perhaps learning from what Cincy did last week? Can they incorporate 3 TE sets and use a spread offense to keep Von Miller & Co. honest? The OL will also need to work a bit harder to open holes for Collins and Allen too. We may also get to see more of our 310lb FB Ricard imitating a bowling ball on short yard attempts to wear that defense down some.

Our offense is going to need to set the pace and get out to an early lead. Joe is going to have to look more like Andy Dalton last week with short drop backs and a plethora of sideline throws and screen passes. They may need to incorporate more blockers at the LOS to provide a stouter pocket. Joe should be throwing darts on a short to mid field for most the game.

On defense they have to once again get that penetration we saw in week 1. Granted that was the Bills who may end up as the worst team in the league this season, but they have the talent to pressure and get to the QB. Denver doesn't use TEs the same way, but perhaps they paid attention? The only issue is that they're TE corps is a better blocking unit than Cincy's so they lose a dimension that the Ravens can exploit if they see a repeat of last week at any time. Their WR corps features a quartet of athletic 6-3 big body receivers with Demaryius Thomas leading the way (Oh! to have a 2010 draft do over!). While talented they are extremely young and will face a fast and active Baltimore secondary.

In any regard, I had this one as a home loss from the start in a new era defensive match (meaning dominant D's but still with double digit scores.

Denver 23 - Ravens 19 (hope I'm wrong and we're not set back another AFC loss.)

 

Canady on the IR again. Talk about fragile. McClellan back.

 

I think in this instance, the Denver offense is not scary really. Their running game seems pedestrian and Keenum is not one I would want to pin a whole game to win on. Their defense is clearly the problem for us and I am hoping we see an offensive line change and pop Zeus jr on the right side and kick Hurst to the LG spot or relegate him to the bench. I think moving Lewis to the center spot might be a better answer to Skura in the middle. I just don't think Skura is strong enough at the point of attack to hold the center of the pocket the way we need it to be held. Not sure about how Lewis is as a center, but he could work. Are we waiting for Siragusa to regain the requisite strength from his rehab to take over the center spot?

Anyhow, I see this as a tight game and IF we can get some pass rush, I see us keeping defensive pace with the Broncos. Based on our first 2 games, I am not sure what to expect from the pass rush. It was all world against the Bill, but they are the Bills. It was no existent against the Bengals and we paid the price. Which one shows up this week?

 

I'm actually expecting Boseman to be placed at center with Brown at RT. The real question will be if they keep Lewis at LG (if you've noticed, I've never liked Lewis at LG) or will they put Hurst at LG.

Regardless, they have to do something with the line. It's easily the biggest weakness on the team. They have a mini bye week so there's no excuse for not making some sort of change. Especially with the Denver d-line coming to town

 

I feel the same about Boseman too. They really need that run gamer to start clicking so they can take away Denver's pass rush. Hopefully someone on roster suits that adjustment in time for Sunday.

One thing's for sure, they NEED this win with the Browns winning yesterday. Don't want to be under the Browns in the division ever, but they are looking like they're making the right steps to improve. We just have to keep ahead of that and catch up to Cincy. Lots of speculation on the Steelers too now with all the distractions. Not sure if that causes them to tumble, but it's not helping them to win either.

 

The Browns could be a real problem. Their defense leads the league in takeaways, their WRs aren't bad, the running game can be decent, the o-line might be a question but they looked so much better when Tyrod left. Honestly, if Mayfield can play like he did consistently, they could end up the best team in the division.

That said, it's a wait and see game. The Jets had a short week and likely didn't prepare for Mayfield at all. Considering his style of play is vastly different from Tyrod, it could explain the results everyone saw. Then again, he could just be that good. We'll find out soon enough

 

Yeah. Still too early to tell about Mayfield. He did have much more success than Tyrod in the passing game, but Hue declined to say anything when asked about Mayfield being named starter yet. Depends I guys on Tyrod's concussion protocol and whether or not Hue is ready for a change under center.

 

I think Hue is just trying to save face on his week 1 decision. Tyrod and Baker played against the same defense, on the same day, behind the same o-line, while throwing to the same targets. The results are night and day. If Baker doesn't start next Sunday then Hue should be fired right after the game.

Mayfield may have benefited from the Jets likely not gameplanning for him, and not having tape on him......but you have to find out going forward. Especially with the #1 pick

 

Agreed on all accounts. All rookies have at least one advantage in that there isn't any tape on them and (if good) takes about 3-4 weeks to for DCs to "solve" them. The Browns OL looked totally different when Mayfield was under center - he suddenly had pocket protection Taylor seemingly didn't and it certainly wasn't due to to him being faster and more agile. It will be hard for Hue to NOT start Mayfield now, especially after nearly 2 years w/o a win. I can certainly see Taylor staying in concussion protocol this week while they give Mayfield the reigns week 4.

 

If Hue Jackson doesn’t start Mayfield he should be fired as soon as he announces it.

 

Off topic, but....Breshad Perriman was just released/cut by the Redskins. That didn't last long.

 

I suspect two things about Hue's QB noncomit right after the game.

At that point in time, he didn't know for sure if Taylor would remain in the concussion protocall or for how long. However, there's no doubt in my mind that he knew exactly who he was going to name as the week 4 starter but, true to his history, wanted to tell both Taylor and Mayfield behind closed doors rather than have them find out through the media. He used the need to "watch the tape" as a tactic to get the media off of the topic.

 

The Ravens have swapped return men. ESPN’s Jamison Hensley reports (via Twitter) that the team has promoted returner/wideout Tim White from the practice squad and waived returner/wideout Janarion Grant. The team has also waived offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor and promoted defensive back Robertson Daniel.

Hopefully they can re-sign grant to the PS. Goodbye Eluemenor.

There is definitely something new in the air. I've never seen the Ravens cut/trade so many recent draft picks still in their rookie contracts.

 

I never had Eluemunor making the 53 man roster. Unless he was just the healthiest OL remaining, I think I may've called this one better than Ozzie/DeCosta. (*Call be when you're ready to talk turkey, Steve!).

I agree about the rookie cuts. The last time remember this many cuts like this was 2013 the released John Simon, Aaron Mellette, Tandon Doss and Chykie Brown all under the rookie contracts. I just think this year they had a lot of players close in ability and talent where they had the "luxury" of cutting fair to quality guys.

 

Faulk, you have a few of those players wrong. Aaron Mellete was let go due to injury and never played again, so that's true. Simon was only cut to place on the practice squad (where Houston swiped him), and Chykie Brown wasn't cut until after the second Steelers game in 2014. I had to check on Doss, but he wasn't realised until the 2014 offseason.

This is really the first time the Ravens cut this many rookies during their rookie contract. Cutting rookies after two seasons is unheard off in Baltimore.

Also, Perriman has been cut by Washington. His career is over.

 

I was referring to them still being under their rookie contract which was what Jazz mentioned.

 

It's almost game time. It's only week 3 and a few AFC north teams feel like they must win today. Actually, all of them.

Pittsburgh doesn't want to go into week 4 winless

Cleveland wants to build on the Baker performance and needs to see consistency

Baltimore has to wash the taste of that loss out their mouth and cant afford another AFC loss this early

Cincinnati has to keep their hold on the division lead. They'll still have it through "head to head" but being a game up just feels more secure

 

Rain is going to be a factor again. Joe was great in a torrent against the Bill, but it was the Bills. Freeman and Lindsay are rushing for 6ypc which should be good in rain, but they did that in dry weather. Should be interesting.

 

Damn ugly start. Went from bad to worse. They seem bent on the same 7 step drop back offense even in the face of leagues best pass rush.

 

Do we have the same o-line out there??? I've been more listening than watching up until the last two plays. Did Harbaugh really not make a change with 10 days to prepare??