The NFL’s most offensive offences
As midseason draws near in the National Football League, several teams are facing a harsh reality check.
Here is our look at five offences that have disappointed so far this year, and an assessment of what’s wrong with each: Baltimore Ravens (3-4) They’re two games back in the AFC North, but the Ravens won’t compete much longer if they don’t fix an offence that ranks 31st in yardage (277.6 per game) and 23rd in scoring (18.6 points). Baltimore has lost four of its last five and mustered just three offensive touchdowns in those defeats.
The bulk of the blame has been heaped on quarterback Joe Flacco. He has yet eclipse 235 passing yards in a game this season, and his eight interceptions are tied for third-most. The most damning statistic for Flacco, however, is a 5.3-yards-per-completion average, ranking him last among quarterbacks with at least 100 attempts.
While Flacco has plenty to improve upon, the Ravens played the majority of Sunday’s loss against the Minnesota Vikings without their top three receivers. Mike Wallace was knocked out with a concussion, and Jeremy Maclin and Breshad Perriman were inactive. Injuries have decimated the offensive line as well.
Offensive co-ordinator Marty Mornhinweg’s play calling has compounded the problems. Being aggressive with so many key contributors out is challenging, but Baltimore has become far too conservative and predictable. Carolina Panthers (4-3) Losers of three of their last five, the Panthers miss injured tight end Greg Olsen and deep threat Ted Ginn Jr., who signed with the New Orleans Saints this off-season.
The most pressing issue, though, is on the ground.
Offensive co-ordinator Mike Shula tried to reinvent Carolina’s scheme to limit the designed runs for quarterback Cam Newton. But Carolina’s running backs are generating just 2.8 yards per carry.
That has shifted the burden back to Newton, who has all three of the Panthers’ rushing touchdowns and is on track to exceed his number of carries from last year. And when Newton presses, that’s when Carolina commits many of its 13 turnovers, which is tied for third-most. Detroit Lions (3-3) The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time. Detroit has lost three of four, and a huge game against a stingy Pittsburgh Steelers defence looms Sunday night.
The Lions’ biggest issues come up front, as quarterback Matthew Stafford has been sacked 23 times, including 17 in the last three games. With that pressure, turnovers have mounted. In Week 6’s loss against the New Orleans Saints, Stafford threw three interceptions and lost two fumbles. When facing a blitz, Stafford’s completion rate drops to 60.4 per cent, which ranks 26th among quarterbacks.
Dreadful play calling on first down has left Detroit in too many obvious passing situations. On second down, the Lions have needed an average of 9.1 yards to move the chains.
Much of that problem is tied to the ineffective ground game. Of the Lions’ 143 carries, 23 have been for negative yards.
Starting left tackle Taylor Decker (torn labrum) could return soon and could shore up many of Detroit’s protection issues. Oakland Raiders (3-4) Thursday night’s 31-30 victory against the Kansas Chiefs snapped a four-game losing streak, but the Raiders have still underwhelmed.
Oakland averaged just 13.3 points a game during its skid. A Week 3 loss to the Washington Redskins revealed a blueprint for how to reel in the Raiders: Generate a pass rush using four defenders and lock up receivers with physical coverage.
That strategy limited the explosive plays that were the cornerstone of last year’s seventh-ranked scoring offence (26 points a game).
Wide receiver Amari Cooper had been quiet prior to his 210yard, two-touchdown performance Thursday. But Oakland moved him around and featured him in the slot, where, according to Pro Football Focus, he was targeted 11 times and caught six passes for 95 yards and a score.
Keeping Cooper heavily involved is integral for the health of the offence, as is getting more out of a rushing attack that has generated just 92.9 yards per game. Tennessee Titans (4-3) They’re in a two-way tie for first place in the AFC South with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the pre-season division favourites have struggled to put up points recently.
Quarterback Marcus Mariota has dealt with a hamstring strain but only missed one start. Though he has played well enough in the two games since he sat out, it’s fair to wonder if he’s still feeling the effects of the injury.
In the first four games of the year, Mariota ran the ball 20 times for 116 yards and three touchdowns. In the two since he got hurt: three carries for eight yards.
Limitations on his running ability have also hampered Tennessee’s creativity. More predictability has prompted self-inflicted errors; the Titans are tied for 20th with 10 giveaways.
The return of receiver Corey Davis, the No. 5 overall pick who has dealt with a hamstring injury, should provide a boost to a receiving corps in need of assistance. Free-agent addition Eric Decker was targeted twice and did not catch one pass against the Cleveland Browns. Getting both of them engaged should elevate the 26thranked passing offence.