On to Jaguars

[varaven45]

Now that we are on to Jax, how does the team perform in this game? 

The D is trending upward, playing quite stout.  it will be interesting to see if they bring the same tenacity and intensity (from last week) 

to this game.

 

Ironically, the offense is now lagging and a concern.   Who would have thunk (at the beginning of the year) ? 

Bad game against Carolina - flat, slow, dropsies.   

 

Maybe this is a get right game for Lamar (statistically, Jax is in the bottom 10 defensively).

Now is the time for Lamar and the O to get it right. - warm weather (70s/80s) and lower ranked D. 

Would like to see a return to a strong running performance and open up the passing attack.

 

Hoping for a strong performance and marked improvement in all three phases !    

   

[tsylvester]

Well it will be warm and not windy, so Lamar should play well

This is a team with a good young qb who is big, strong, can run; sacks will be difficult, eyes need to keep him in sight.

Their defense isn't great at one thing, they can be run on and thrown on.

The question is will Roman use a real play book in this game? Last week he called runs that worked into the strength of the defense, which, as expected, failed.

Jax will try to keep the edge, so inside runs are needed.

They will hover close to the los, but drop in cover 2 & 3. Seam routes are the key. They don't tackle well on the outside, those wide receiver screens should work well.

Question 2, is as you said VA, will the defense be focused or will they rest on their laurels, come in overconfident?

[varaven45]

Tsy,  thanks for the dialogue and your insight.  I enjoy your candid posts!     

[tsylvester]

I tell ya VA, it is great to talk football with "adults".

[vmax]

Week 12

Keep the train rolling to that infamous 8-3. Bengals are hot so it's important to have some breathing room in the North. Plus, a win keeps them on track for a possible 1 or 2 seed. 

The warm weather means that we'll see Gus and Deshawn Jackson. There should be another few surprise starters. I am worried about the offense if Stanley doesn't play. D will hold up without Hamilton but it's a bummer because he was breaking out. 

Stats look fairly even. 

Team Stats
Points Per Game	24.8	21.6
Points Allowed Per Game	19.9	20.5
Total Yards	360.5	373.0
Yards Passing	197.7	233.4
Yards Rushing	162.8	139.6
Yards Allowed	356.8	368.3
Pass Yards Allowed	270.4	258.2
Rush Yards Allowed	86.4	110.1

 

Trevor Lawrence.

2,334 yards, 13 TD's, 6 ints, QBR of 51 

2022 SEASON

Jags not so hot lately...

AFC North projections
(Heading into Week 12)

Reach playoffs
Ravens 98.6%
Bengals 72.3%
Browns 2.7%
Steelers 0.2%

Win division
Ravens 89.1%
Bengals 10.5%
Browns 0.3%
Steelers 0.1%

[vmax]

Holy Shit! It's week 12. He's a rookie. 

 

Baltimore Ravens | Home

 

 

[vmax]

Turnovers are a big difference. Ravens +9. Jags +1
Baltimore #1 in Special Teams. Jags are a decent #5.

Don't get me wrong, the Jags are a team on the rise from the ashes, but if the Ravens don't defeat them handily, then they are weak playoff contenders at this point of the season. Especially after last week.

The Ravens are very strong on Defense and Special Teams. That is a huge plus.

Jamison Hensley 
   “We’re trying to chase Ravens’ defenses [from] the past that have just showed an elite greatness.”

During Baltimore’s 4-game winning streak, the defense has produced more turnovers (7) than TDs allowed (5).

Over the last four games, the Ravens rank third in the NFL in fewest points allowed (14.5) and yards given up (283.3). 

The Offense has to find itself. We have a new player emerging in Robinson, but the Panther secondary is pretty bad. Then get Gus back. But will Stanley be out? 

Now they still have plenty of time to get it together and be strong contenders.

Edited November 23, 2022 by vmax

[varaven45]

Max et al,

Its a different team (from the 2000-01 SB champs) but relative to the D and STs, there are a couple of inteteresting similarities. 

This D is coming together nicely and if Hamilton and Williams return for the stretch run, I think we can dominate and or hang with all teams. 

My real concern is the Offense, GROs gameplans and which Lamar (good/bad) shows up.      If our cadre of RBs stay healthy and produce,

our offense could truly compliment the D and make a run.  Big IF but that's what I am looking for in the stretch run - complimentary football!

[tsylvester]

Of all of the bad teams the Ravens face, the Jags have the most dangerous qb, Lawrence can make any throw, has a cannon for an arm, this secondary will be tested.

We could end up in a shoot out, Robinson, Andrews will be key, but who steps up in the 2nd half when the Jags take them away?

Proche?

[varaven45]

Agreed.   We don't want a shootout; would much rather see us pound the ball, score early and often, and let the D take over.

Of all the games left on the calendar, this one concerns me more than most.   For whatever reason, we tend to lay an egg in Jax. 

Maybe we buck the trend this time!       

[tsylvester]

Funny note, Jags are 0-15 when their opponents convert 55% or better of their redzone chances since 2021...

Come Roman, get some good redzone plays in there....

[vmax]

He's on his way back!

He practiced today. The 21 day window is now open.

 

[vmax]

On the Offense. They have shown they can run (#2 rushing attack) and we know they will run better with Gus and JK back. Their identity is to pound the football. Everybody knows they will be coming at them. Everybody's plan is to stop the Ravens rushing attack or at least limit it, and force Lamar to beat them with his arm. So far to the tune of 6-3 Lamar has done just enough to beat teams with his arm and legs. And teams have had limited success slowing down Lamar, the ground game and the Ravens unacceptable 27th passing attack. 

Sunday the Ravens threw 33 times and ran 30. It was a day to just run yet they threw 33 times with limited success. I think as long as games are close, then Roman will keep trying to get a passing offense going so they have something for the playoffs. I'm fine with that. Even if it struggles as long as they don't lose because he gets pass happy. In Lamar defense, his weapons on offense keep changing. We saw Gus and JK for a limited time, Andrews missed time. Bateman's on IR. Now we don't know of Stanley will be back this week. The O roster is close to what they looked like last year except all the key players should be back soon. That makes it harder to establish a rapport, rhythm and QB/WR intuitive reel. there is no argument from me that Lamar has to execute better in the passing game. He's been missing wide open targets. Games should have been won by larger margins. 

This passing attack has to get better by the playoffs. Everything else, as of now, seems in order. If the playoffs happened today then Lamar has Andrews, Likely, Robinson and Duverney as weapons. Not very scary for DC's.  Desean Jackson and Proche are in the wings. Ricard and the RB'sare available. 

Roman's and Lamar's job is to make them scary. Starting will using Duverney to break out vs the Jags. 

 

Lamar as a passer:

1,977 yards 6.8 ypp 16 TD's 7 INT's 60.6 QBR

23rd in completion %

21st with a 6.8 ypp

7th in QBR

As a runner: 

14th with 666 yards 1st at 6.9 ypc 27th with 3 rushing TD's 

2022 SEASON ST23rd in completion 7th with 16n TD's 

 

 

Edited November 23, 2022 by vmax

[oldno82]

I dunno if its just me but Lamar looks less quick and shifty now as opposed to when he started with us. His passing is now inaccurate on the medium to long passes. He can still win a game on his own now and again but I think I detect signs of him beginning to slow down running. *

On his passing it's a little hard for me to judge. He has had constant turnover on receiver personnel this year and that may be making him less confident in his passing.

If I had to give a grade on his season so far, it'd be a C+, but sinking. And what we're seeing now might be his upper limit on passing.

Any thoughts on this as we approach the Jags this week?

* Maybe it's his hip: https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/lamar-jackson-absent-again-start-week

[varaven45]

I wonder if we are now witnessing Lamar’s ceiling.  We keep awaiting the return of weapons - Gus, JK, Bateman, Jackson and healthy Stanley - in the hopes of seeing a scary Lamar and offense.  I believe we saw it in 2019 when Lamar lit it up ! 

Maybe we have to accept the 25-30 rushes/game and Lamar passing 10-15 maybe 20 times/game.   If the run game is dominant, Lamar should succeed. If not, Lamar will struggle, especially vs the better defenses.   

IDK where this takes us but I have felt (for some time) we have seen Lamar’s best.  Maybe now his body is starting to break down - just a little.  I’m glad we haven’t signed him yet to a long term deal and would rather wait to see how he and the team fare down the stretch.

Looking ahead, we are developing a helluva strong, young D and the offensive line and backfield are stout and trending upward.

In my opinion, QB is the one position we could afford to move on from IF we don’t make or go deep in the playoffs.  The knock on Lamar and /or Roman is they cant win in the playoffs.  Let’s see where this goes the next 7+ games.  We’ll know then. 

[papasmurfbell]

Did anyone hear the interesting circumstance that teams that play the panthers lose the next week.  I have not checked to see if its true yet but I thought it was strange.

[oldno82]

4 hours ago, varaven45 said:

I wonder if we are now witnessing Lamar’s ceiling.  We keep awaiting the return of weapons - Gus, JK, Bateman, Jackson and healthy Stanley - in the hopes of seeing a scary Lamar and offense.  I believe we saw it in 2019 when Lamar lit it up ! 

Maybe we have to accept the 25-30 rushes/game and Lamar passing 10-15 maybe 20 times/game.   If the run game is dominant, Lamar should succeed. If not, Lamar will struggle, especially vs the better defenses.   

IDK where this takes us but I have felt (for some time) we have seen Lamar’s best.  Maybe now his body is starting to break down - just a little.  I’m glad we haven’t signed him yet to a long term deal and would rather wait to see how he and the team fare down the stretch.

Looking ahead, we are developing a helluva strong, young D and the offensive line and backfield are stout and trending upward.

In my opinion, QB is the one position we could afford to move on from IF we don’t make or go deep in the playoffs.  The knock on Lamar and /or Roman is they cant win in the playoffs.  Let’s see where this goes the next 7+ games.  We’ll know then. 

Have to agree with you VA. Just gotta wait it out.

[tsylvester]

Is Lamar dinged up, a slight hip bruise by latest reports from the Panthers game. Is the added muscle over the offseason to blame for his wheels to keep slipping, slowing him down a bit?

Is he performing at a level of all of that guaranteed money he wants?

This is the game, against a poor, young, hungry team capable of beating you where Lamar needs to shine.

Proper zone reads, running from the pocket when the opportunity presents itself, not holding the ball to prove that you are a pocket passer. Making timely, accurate throws, giving the receiver yak capability. The time is now.

[oldno82]

I want to see a convincing victory. I want to see something that tells me this team is a solid contender.

I want to see Roman show he's a real, four quarter OC who knows how to beat a crappy team.

I want Lamar to grab this offense by the collar and have a rip-snorting good game.

Finally, I'd like us to come out of one freakin' game with no injuries.

[vmax]

[vmax]

Jackson has full participation Thursday after missing Wednesday’s practice with a hip injury. https://t.co/YKIfJcl1fi
Jamison Hensley on Twitter
“Ravens QB Lamar Jackson was on the practice field again Friday.

Jackson has full participation Thursday after missing Wednesday’s practice with a hip injury.”
Ravens practice report (Friday)

Not practicing
OT Ronnie Stanley (ankle)
S Kyle Hamilton (knee)
CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (hip)
CB Marcus Peters*
DE Jason Pierre-Paul*

Returned to practice
WR Demarcus Robinson (hip)

*-Likely rest day
Ravens RB Gus Edwards (hamstring/knee) was practicing Friday after a full practice on Thursday. He's definitely trending toward playing Sunday at the Jaguars.

 

It looks like Stanley and Hamilton won't be playing Sunday.

 

 

Edited November 25, 2022 by vmax

[vmax]

10 hours ago, oldno82 said:

I want to see a convincing victory. I want to see something that tells me this team is a solid contender.

I want to see Roman show he's a real, four quarter OC who knows how to beat a crappy team.

I want Lamar to grab this offense by the collar and have a rip-snorting good game.

Finally, I'd like us to come out of one freakin' game with no injuries.

I want to see what you want to see!  Fans of every team want to see the same thing from their team as us ... a convincing victory.  

We might be a month waiting for that. They need Stanley, JK and Gus back 100% with no rust. Then Lamar needs more time with Likely, Duverney and Robinson as his main targets besides Andrews. JK has to be a factor along with Ricard and Oliver. It could be really good by then. We'll see.

Edited November 25, 2022 by vmax

[varaven45]

In the famous words of Queen - "I want it all and I want it now"! 

Look, i want to see a surging, improving D smack down and shut down Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne. 

I want to see the O and a dominant running game with guys not named Lamar pounding the rock plus

have him spread and complete the targets to guys other than M Andrews - Robinson, Likely, DJax, Duvernay & Proche.

Now is the team for these guys to play complimentary ball, dominant D and efficient offense. 

Yes, I want it all and I want it now (make that Sunday)      

         

 

[vmax]

 

 

 

 

[oldno82]

I agree with Varaven all the way. Lets kick some ass this Sunday.