Ravens making it count when reaching red zone
Coach: John Harbaugh (11th year with Ravens — 9567 regular season, 105 postseason).
11 (second in AFC North). nati. Lost 3423 at Cincin at Pittsburgh.
Coordinator Marty Mornhinweg.
Analysis: The Ravens rank third in scoring (35.0), eighth in yards (397.0), 23rd in rushing (91.5), seventh in passing (305.5), sixth on third down (43.3 percent) and first in redzone touchdown rate (100.0). … The Ravens used seven personnel groupings against the Bengals before settling on 3WR1RB1TE when they fell behind. … The Ravens drafted QB Lamar Jackson in this spring’s first round, but Joe Flacco, 33, remains the franchise passer. Flacco is 9363 as a regular season starter (205 TD/132 INT). This year, he has five TD and two INT. Not very mobile, Flacco knows how to slide around the pocket to buy time. … Jackson has played 10 snaps in two games (nine carries for 45 yards). … RB Alex Collins and RB Buck Allen split the carries after RB Kenneth Dixon (knee) was placed on injured reserve last week. … The Ravens’ run game is averaging only 3.3 yards per carry. … The Ravens overhauled their WR depth chart during the offseason, signing Michael Crabtree (Oakland), Willie Snead (New Orleans) and John Brown (Arizona). The goal is to create more big plays. Last year, the Ravens averaged only 8.9 yards per catch; their average is at 11.0 through two games. … Another area of focus was tight end. They already had Nick Boyle and Maxx Williams, but drafted Hayden Hurst and Mark Andrews. Hurst (foot) is out. The Ravens ran 17 snaps of at least two tight ends last week at Cincinnati. … Williams and Andrews have six catches apiece and Boyle has five. … RG Marshal Yanda is one of the league’s best guards, a seventime Pro Bowl selection. Coordinator Don Martindale.
Analysis: Martindale, 55, is in his first year as the Ravens’ coordinator. … The Ravens run a 34 base scheme, but rush LB Terrell Suggs will often line up in a threepoint stance. … The Ravens are tied for sixth in scoring (18.5), second in fewest yards allowed (263.0), 15th against the run (95.5), third against the pass (167.5), second on third down (25.0) and tied for 17th in red zone defense (60.0). … ILB C.J. Mosley, who calls the defensive signals, sustained a bone bruise (knee) against the Bengals and his status is uncertain. If he can’t play, S Eric Weddle will relay the play call. … Also out is No. 1 CB Jimmy Smith, serving a fourgame suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. … Reserve CB Maurice Canady (quad) was put on injured reserve on Monday. … The Ravens rushed five men on 13 Andy Dalton dropbacks last week. … Suggs turns 36 next month and remains a productive player in his 16th season.… If Mosley can’t play, fourthround rookie Kenny Young (teamhigh 11 tackles) would likely take his place. The other everydown ILB is Patrick Onwuasor (nine tackles).
Jerry Rosburg. The Ravens rank ninth and 15th in kick and punt return, respectively. On coverage they’re 19th on punts and 23rd on kickoffs. … K Justin Tucker is elite, a twotime All Pro (2013 and ’16). Tucker has missed only four field goal attempts since the start of 2016 … P Sam Koch has a solid 45.4yard net average in two games. He is in his 13th year with the Ravens. … The Ravens are leaning on undrafted rookie free agent Janarion Grant to handle punts (7.4 average) and kick returns (28yard average).