I know most folks are ready to move on by the time this newletter is posted, but there are a few points that linger.
1. Offensively, Baltimore got worse as the game went on. They moved the ball well in the first half, converted, scored and had a commanding lead headed into halftime. Their fourth quarter offense was vanilla. Conditioning, rhythm and tempo faded. The Saints forced two three-and-outs. Injuries were present, yes. That’s football. This was the second game of Declan Doyle’s life calling plays. In the Ravens final two non-two-minute drives, there was a lot left to be desired. Just before the end of the third quarter, Baltimore took over in Saints territory with a lead and a chance to put the game away. That sequence went: false start, failed screen for a loss (Doyle has spammed Henry perhaps too heavily), blown protection sack, throw away. This is where the Ravens truly blew it. Doyle didn’t manufacture any layups outside of Henry screens late. He didn’t help Lamar get time, and Lamar didn’t help his line to sync protections, which are understandable growing pains. They need to learn and do it fast, or we will see more of the same.
2. The growing pains defensively were emphasized on Chris Olave’s potential game tying touchdown.
This is what teams are going to do to Baltimore until they get it right. Run switch concepts like…
