ExtremeRavens Posted September 29 Posted September 29 Here’s how the Ravens graded out at every position after a 37-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. Quarterback For the past three weeks, quarterback Lamar Jackson has struggled by holding onto the ball too long and refusing to run. Regardless of the team’s record, the Ravens need him to take charge and it has to be done offensively. Jackson completed 12 of 20 passes in the first half for 108 yards, but at times seemed disinterested. He had two delay of game penalties and was called for intentional grounding. Jackson left the game with a hamstring injury before the fourth quarter, but for the first time since he was drafted almost eight years ago, he wasn’t a factor. Backup Cooper Rush was simply a dink-and-dunk quarterback. He had no presence. Grade: D- Running backs The good news is that running back Derrick Henry didn’t fumble for the first time in four games this season. He rushed eight times for 42 yards, but the Ravens had no running game. Again. Backup Justice Hill played well in third-down situations, but that was basically in a lost cause. It might be time for the Ravens to put in Keaton Mitchell to see if he can provide a spark. Nothing from nothing leaves nothing. The Ravens aren’t getting much on the ground, which means they will get even less through the air. Hill had a 71-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, but that was long after the outcome had been decided. Grade: D Offensive line This group couldn’t create many running lanes against a Kansas City rushing defense that was average at best. The Ravens didn’t have much consistency after their first scoring drive of the game, which was nine plays and 70 yards that was finished by an 11-yard pass from Jackson to Hill. Without a running game, the Ravens struggle in pass protection, which they did Sunday — especially guards Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele and right tackle Roger Rosengarten. This group is too big and bulky to finesse teams, and the group lacks quickness. The Ravens gave up three sacks and allowed Jackson or Rush to be hit eight other times. After last week’s game against Detroit in which the Ravens allowed seven sacks, this was another forgettable game. Grade: F Receivers The Ravens had 23 catches for 199 yards and averaged 8.7 yards a catch. This group isn’t bad, but Jackson seems lost while dropping back at times, or he doesn’t have time to throw. Slot receiver Zay Flowers had seven catches for 74 yards and tight end Mark Andrews had seven for 30, but the Ravens need to work outside receiver Rashod Bateman into the scheme more. He had only one catch for 24 yards, and the rest of the group was barely in play. Grade: C Defensive line Who were these masked men playing for the Ravens? It was a bizarre group, and the Ravens played just about everybody available, including backups John Jenkins, Aeneas Peebles, Tavius Robinson, C.J. Okoye and Brent Urban. In all honesty, it was like the Kansas City varsity playing against the Ravens JV. The Chiefs rushed for 118 yards on 32 carries and kept the Ravens off balance most of the game with running backs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt. Grade: F Linebackers The defensive line was already banged up, and the Ravens had even less of a chance when middle linebacker Roquan Smith left the game in the third quarter with a hamstring injury. Rookie Teddye Buchanan had seven tackles to lead this group, partially as a backup to Smith, but the Ravens took a pounding inside with Buchanan as well as weakside linebacker Trenton Simpson (4 tackles). They weren’t any better on the outside with Robinson (3 tackles) and Odafe Oweh (5 tackles), and the Ravens still don’t have a bonafide pass rusher on the outside. Until they acquire one or Kyle Van Noy returns from a hamstring injury, they don’t have a top guy on the outside. Even with Van Noy, the Ravens don’t have a pass rusher they can count on in crucial passing situations. Grade: F Secondary Apparently, the Chiefs studied Ravens vs. Lions film because they singled out cornerback Marlon Humphrey. Several times they sent receiver Xavier Worthy in motion, but they also had him on the outside with Humphrey one-on-one and the results weren’t pretty. Kansas City also used tight end Travis Kelce on the inside against Humphrey. Rookie safety Malaki Starks (2 tackles) will be a good player one day, but he isn’t ready for prime-time teams like the Lions and Chiefs. Safety Kyle Hamilton led the Ravens in tackles with eight. Kansas City did basically whatever it needed or wanted to do to win this game. Kansas City had 382 total yards of offense but could have added more. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes looked very comfortable. Grade: F Special teams Kansas City dominated the Ravens in return yards, especially on kickoffs. The Chiefs had four returns for a total of 132 yards and returns of 34, 47, 30 and 47 yards, several of those resulting in eventual touchdowns. It was basically a disaster. Tyler Loop converted on field goal attempts of 43 and 32 yards, and he even went a game without having a penalty on kickoffs. But it didn’t help because the Chiefs dominated in the return game. Grade: D Coaching In the past, Ravens coach John Harbaugh has always rallied his teams after a big loss, but the Ravens were no match for Kansas City. Mahomes and Kansas City coach Andy Reid kept the Ravens totally off guard, and the Chiefs used an assortment of running plays and then attacked the Ravens over the middle in the passing game. Offensively, the Ravens came out strong, but that disappeared after the first scoring drive. Once Jackson left the game, the spirit of this offense died with him. This is where coaching needs to kick in and take over. Grade: D Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. Ravens coach Jim Harbaugh watches from the sideline during the first half of his team's 37-20 loss to the Chiefs. The Ravens are 1-3 to start the 2025 season. (Charlie Riedel/AP) View the full article Quote
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