Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones runs in a 105-yard touchdown against the Oakland Raiders. Sunday's kickoff return was executed even better than Jones' 108-yard return against Dallas in Week 6. (AP) |
Baltimore has been a much better team at home this year and it’s evident on film.
After spending two games away from M&T Bank Stadium, the Ravens looked like a different group on their home field, blowing the Raiders out 55-20. Though the offense couldn’t be stopped, it was the defensive effort and special teams execution that stood out after reviewing the game tape.
And, like always, there are still some areas where this Baltimore team can improve, though there weren’t many negative plays to point out from Sunday’s game.
Here is a look at how Baltimore fared upon further review:
What looked good?
- Baltimore generated more pressure on the passer than it has all season, notching three sacks and hitting Raiders QB Carson Palmer often. A lot of the success up front came from OLB Courtney Upshaw in the sub package, who lined up as a defensive tackle. ILB Dannell Ellerbe is becoming dangerous as a blitzer, able to fight through double teams to get to the quarterback. A lot of pressure came with the Ravens sending just four defenders, which is a good sign given there’s a high likelihood that Ben Roethlisberger (shoulder) is out of Pittsburgh’s lineup this Sunday.
- Coach John Harbaugh said there was an emphasis on defensive linemen getting their hands up to bat balls down at the line of scrimmage. On almost every defensive play, such was the case. Upshaw deflected a pass, DE DeAngelo Tyson and OLB Terrell Suggs each deflected two passes and OLB Paul Kruger tipped a pass that he also intercepted. Baltimore’s front seven were active in the passing lanes.
- Jacoby Jones’ 105-yard kickoff return for a touchdown was executed better than his 108-yard return against Dallas. It was a right return with the first blocks set up by DT Bryan Hall and FB Vonta Leach. The rest of Oakland’s coverage was sealed off and all Jones and lead blocker RB Anthony Allen had to do was hit the hole Hall and Leach created and run toward the end zone. The fact that Allen didn’t have to touch anyone on the play shows how well-run the return was.
- On Baltimore’s fake field goal that P Sam Koch ran in for a touchdown, a lot of credit should go to rookie G/C Gino Gradkowski, who drove his man back at least five yards off the snap. TE Ed Dickson also had a key block on the play. LT Michael Oher was the third man on the left side of the line and he wasn’t able to hold his block as long as Gradkowski and Dickson. But Koch’s run was like a veteran running back’s as he allowed the blocks to properly set up before cutting back into the open hole. This gave Oher’s man a tough angle to catch Koch, who ran in his first career NFL touchdown.
What didn’t look good?
- CB Corey Graham had an otherwise good day but gave up a deep touchdown to Raiders WR Denarius Moore late in the first half. Graham stutter-stepped slightly while taking a peek back at Palmer, and, before he knew it, Moore was over the top of the coverage and catching a touchdown. On Monday, Harbaugh said he thought Graham played well but that the veteran corner only wanted to talk about the mistakes. This was one of them.
- On S Ed Reed’s first tackle of the game, a hit on Raiders TE Brandon Myers, it was evident he was experiencing a great deal of pain in his right shoulder. This showed up again when attempting to tackle Raiders WR Darrius Heyward-Bey after a deep pass from Palmer. Once Reed’s right shoulder made contact with Heyward-Bey, he bounced off and fell to the turf. This allowed Heyward-Bey to turn the other way and sprint toward the end zone for a touchdown. After the game, Reed said he had a minor stinger and that he would be OK.
What’s inconclusive?
- LG Bobbie Williams had his share of positive and negative plays during the two series he was in the ball game. He had a good block that sprung Ray Rice down to the Raiders 1-yard line but also allowed Raiders DT Desmond Bryant to beat him on an inside move that almost got QB Joe Flacco sacked. OL Jah Reid spelled Williams, who’s dealing with ankle issues, and played the remainder of the game. Reid played well for the most part, though he could improve some with blocking at the second level. Both figure to play next week against Pittsburgh but it’s unknown, for now, who will take most of the reps.
Follow Ravens reporter Jason Butt on Twitter: @CBSRavens and @JasonButtCBS.