ExtremeRavens Posted December 10, 2023 Posted December 10, 2023 Here’s how the Ravens (10-3) graded out at each position after a 37-31 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams (6-7) in Sunday’s Week 14 game at M&T Bank Stadium. Quarterback Lamar Jackson completed 24 of 43 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns, but the yardage is misleading. On two long passes to Odell Beckham Jr., the veteran wide receiver made great adjustments by twirling and spinning around. Jackson missed a couple of long throws that should have been touchdowns, which would have put the game out of reach. It was not one of Jackson’s best performances, but he was good in crunch time, leading a 13-play, 75-yard scoring drive capped by a 21-yard touchdown pass to Zay Flowers and a strike to Flowers for the 2-point conversion with 1:16 left in regulation. Grade: C+ Running backs The Ravens just can’t find a way to get this ground game going. The rushing attack needs to center around rookie Keaton Mitchell, who finished with 54 yards on nine carries. Gus Edwards had only six carries for 15 yards. Jackson was the team’s leading rusher with 70 yards on 11 attempts, but this running game needs more production, especially with an explosive player like Mitchell in the backfield. Jackson is a great weapon to have, but he’ll take more and more hits, especially in the postseason. Grade: C+ Offensive line The Ravens had an unusual plan with their offensive tackles, rotating starters Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses with backups Patrick Mekari and Danel Faalele. A lot of teams rotate receivers and running backs, but few shuffle linemen. The Rams have had trouble getting pressure on the quarterback all season, but they gave the Ravens some problems. The line was solid in the middle, but center Tyler Linderbaum struggled at times and got away with a couple of holding penalties. Overall, the Ravens allowed only two sacks and there were moments when Jackson had a lot of time to throw. Grade: B- Receivers Beckham might have played his best game as a Raven, stepping up against his former team with four catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Isaiah Likely also played well with five catches for 83 yards, including a wide-open 54-yard touchdown reception, and Flowers led the team with six catches for 60 yards and those two crucial scores. But there were times when the Ravens gave up and didn’t finish plays, which hurt with a scrambling quarterback like Jackson buying time. The player who seemed to give up the most was Rashod Bateman. Grade: B+ Defensive line The Ravens have struggled to stop opposing rushing attacks but have gotten away with it because they often take an early lead and force opponents to abandon the run. But the Rams had success running it, especially inside the tackles with Kyren Williams, who finished with 114 yards on 25 carries. Nose tackle Michael Pierce either got pushed around or ran himself out of a play, and end Justin Madubuike had similar problems, especially early in the game. Madubuike, though, finished with seven tackles, five quarterback hits and added his 11th sack of the season. The Rams had 410 yards of total offense. Grade: D+ Linebackers This performance was way below the standard of this group. There were moments when the inside linebackers played well, especially in coverage, but also times when they got pushed around. Roquan Smith led the team with 10 tackles and fellow inside Patrick Queen had six, but they got pounded inside by the Rams’ running game. Smith also delivered some borderline cheap shots on late hits. The Ravens got very little pressure from outside linebackers Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy, as neither had a hit on the quarterback. Outside linebacker Oweh Odafe stepped up in the second half and provided some pressure. Grade: D Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson tries to throw as he is being sacked in the 4th quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: RavensÕ Kyle Van Noy, center, celebrates, after stopping RamsÕ Kyren Williams for loss of eight yards in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: RavensÕ Arthur Maulet, right, misses a tackle against RamsÕ Cooper Kupp, left, who gained 32 yards in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker points skyward after kicking a 47-yard field goal in the 3rd quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Tylan Wallace runs through defenders, retuning a punt for a touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Tylan Wallace runs through defenders, returning a punt for a touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Under pressure, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws incomplete to Zay Flowers in the 2nd quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Odafe Oweh wraps up Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams in the 3rd quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: RavensÕ Keaton Mitchell, right, runs for 27-yards against RamsÕ Cobie Durant, left, in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Travis Jones sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in the 3rd quarter for a loss of 4 yards. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson runs out of bounds after keeping the ball for a gain in the 2nd quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Charlie Kolar chases Los Angeles Rams Ahkello Witherspoon after he intercepted a Lamar Jackson pass in the 2nd quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: RavensÕ Kyle Hamilton, right, tackles RamsÕ Puka Nacua, left, for a short gain in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, from left, celebrates touchdown pass to wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. with Isaiah Likely in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. scores a 46-yards touchdown against the Rams in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, left, celebrates after scoring two-point conversion against the Rams in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, right, catches a 21-yards touchdown pass against Rams' Jordan Fuller, left, in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers catches a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is congratulated by Rashod Bateman after Flowers scored a 4th quarter touchdown. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely looks for yardage after a reception in the 3rd Quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeatedthe Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Keaton Mitchell pushes through the line for a gain in the 3rd Quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeatedthe Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson kicks the ball out of the end zone after a bad snap in the 3rd Quarter. The illegal kick was penalized as a safety. The Baltimore Ravens defeatedthe Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, left, walks to the sideline in frustration after a bad snap to Lamar Jackson, right, costed the Ravens a safety in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Baltimore RavensÕ Tylan Wallace, right, celebrates with teammate Lamar Jackson, left, after the Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh signals to go for a two-point conversion following a Zay Flowers touchdown in the 4th quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Tylan Wallace celebrates with teammates after retuning a punt for the game winning touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Baltimore RavensÕ Tylan Wallace, center, is congratulated by RamsÕ Jason Taylor II as Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, right, celebrates after the Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Baltimore RavensÕ Tylan Wallace, left, is congratulated by teammate Odafe Oweh after scoring the game-winning touchdown against the Rams in overtime. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Ravens players celebrate game-winning punt returned for touchdown against the Rams in overtime. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Baltimore Ravens Tylan Wallace runs for a 76-yards game-winning touchdown against the Rams in overtime. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Baltimore RavensÕ Justice Hill, center, makes a key block on Los Angeles Rams punter Ethan Evans, left, allowing RavensÕ Tylan Wallace, right, to score the game-winning touchdown in overtime. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Baltimore RavensÕ Tylan Wallace, center, runs 76-yards for a punt return game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Rams in the quarter. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Tylan Wallace scores his first career touchdown, retuning a punt 76-yards as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Tylan Wallace runs toward the end zone, retuning a punt for a touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Tylan Wallace flips into the end zone after retuning a punt for a touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Tylan Wallace flips into the end zone after retuning a punt for a touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh talks with officials during an injury timeout as the Baltimore Ravens host the Los Angeles Rams at M&T Bank Stadium.(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, celebrates with tight end Isaiah Likely after connecting for a 54-yard touchdown in the first quarter Sunday. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh talks with officials during an injury timeout as the Baltimore Ravens host the Los Angeles Rams at M&T Bank Stadium.(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. celebrates his 46-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter Sunday against the Rams. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)DEC. 10, 2023: Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely, center, dives onto the end zone against Los Angeles Rams Jordan Fuller for a touchdown in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)DEC. 10, 2023: Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers warms up before game against the Rams at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson warms up before game against the Rams at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson takes the field for warm-ups as the Baltimore Ravens prepare to host the Los Angeles Rams at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson takes the field for warm-ups as the Baltimore Ravens prepare to host the Los Angeles Rams at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is greeted by fans as the Baltimore Ravens prepare to host the Los Angeles Rams at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald observes warm up before game against the Rams at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Show Caption of Expand Secondary The Ravens finally got challenged by a good quarterback with good receivers and the results were poor, as Matthew Stafford completed 23 of 41 passes for 294 yards and three touchdowns. There were times when the Ravens appeared lost and blew coverages. The Rams also attacked cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who appeared slow in his first game in nearly a month. Safeties Marcus Williams, Kyle Hamilton and Geno Stone all appeared indecisive in the middle of the field, where there seemed to be a lot of miscommunication with the inside linebackers. Grade: D Special teams The Ravens did a good job of setting up reserve receiver Tylan Wallace’s game-winning 76-yard punt return in overtime with four good blocks, even though one might have been in the back. Wallace redeemed himself after being called offsides on a Rams punt in the second quarter, which gave Los Angeles a first down on an eventual touchdown drive. Justin Tucker converted field goal attempts of 31, 47 and 33 yards, and punter Jordan Stout averaged 47.8 yards on four punts, including two inside the Rams’ 20-yard line. Grade: B+ Coaching The Ravens need to get more out of their running game and more explosive plays from their vertical passing attack. The defense was outplayed for most of the game and the Ravens were fortunate to pull out the victory. Coach John Harbaugh’s clock management still needs to improve, and his challenge of Demarcus Robinson’s touchdown catch with 4:41 left in regulation was bizarre. All scoring plays are reviewed, so the Ravens lost a timeout. Harbaugh, though, has given this team a strong work ethic and the Ravens don’t quit until the final whistle. Grade: C+ View the full article Quote
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