Once considered unbeatable with a lead of 17 points or more, the Ravens have already blew two games with those leads in four weeks this regular season.
OWINGS MILLS — A day after the disheartening 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Billsthe head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, John Harbaughif he was worried about how two second-half implosions could affect his team’s mindset going forward.
“Well, we have an internal team psychologist, the Dra. Trishand she does a great job,” he replied. Harbaugh this Monday. “So, I’ll let her worry about that and we’ll worry about football, because we’ve got some tough-minded guys … and our guys will think they’re going to win at the next stop.”
From 2008 to the present season, the Ravens They had been the best of the NFL when it comes to sealing victories, winning 61 games in a row under the orders of Harbaugh when they have had a minimum advantage of 17 points. The team of Baltimore matched the fourth-longest streak by a head coach in that category to start his career during the era of Super Bowl, according to data from the Elias Sports Bureau. The Steelers added 58 consecutive wins from 2008 to the current season and the chain of Mike Tomlin remains active with 64 games.
Now suddenly the Ravens are listed as the worst in the NFL when it comes to securing matches, after conceding a 21-point lead against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2, and another 17-pointer against the Bills on Sunday. Baltimore has been outscored 43-9 in the fourth quarter.
the field marshal Lamar Jackson and his offense have struggled to sustain marches after halftime; while the defense suffers to get the rivals out of the field.
“It’s only the fourth week,” he said. Jackson. “I don’t see it as if we had a disappointing season. The boys have just regained their health, and I feel that we will reach our best level at the right time.”
Here are three reasons why Ravens They have not been able to close the matches as they did in the past:
Shortcomings in the ground game
Baltimore he earned a reputation for imposing his will late in games thanks to a blistering offensive line and characterful running backs. The Ravens they made double-digit sets of plays that ate up large chunks of time on the game clock. The teams could not come back against Baltimoresimply because they did not have the ball in their possession.
Between 2008 and 2021, the runners of the Ravens led the NFL with 6,378 yards in the fourth quarter. This year, Baltimore They haven’t had the same level of productivity on the floor in the second half, and they haven’t shown the same faith. The corridors of Baltimore (J.K. Dobbins, Justice Hill, Mike Davis y Kenyan Drake) barely add up to 45 yards in the fourth quarter. As a result, Ravens they have been given the ball 13 times in the last stretch, fifth worst record in the league.
“We can’t go out in the second half without moving the ball five yards,” said the Los Angeles offensive tackle. Ravens, Morgan Moses. “When you come out in the second half and you have the ball first, you have to move it, you have to make that defense feel you, and we haven’t done that.”
Harbaugh instilled some optimism by announcing that the corridor Gus Edwards (knee) will start practicing this week. Edwardswho is currently on the physically disabled list, has rushed for 708 yards in the fourth quarter, fourth-best production in the NFL between 2018 and 2020.
Less efficient quarterback play
In most respects, Jackson He has played better than in his 2019 season, which earned him the award for NFL Most Valuable Player… except in the final stretches of matches. This Sunday, he was unable to make contact with a Devin Duvernay open in the right corner of the goal on fourth down, throwing for an interception with 4:09 left on the clock.
The QBR of Jackson in the fourth quarter (24.3) he ranks 28th in the league, below players of the caliber of Mitch Trubisky, Baker Mayfield y Mac Jones,
“I feel like we should execute,” he said. Jackson about the offensive problems of the Ravens In the second half. “I think we had some chances to keep the series alive on the field, but we have to execute. We have to do a better job and then we will succeed.”
In its first four seasons, Jackson he completed 63.3 percent of his passes in the fourth quarter, recording 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. In this campaign, Jackson he’s connected on 59.4 percent of his passes in the fourth quarter, getting no touchdown passes and having three interceptions.
Take opponents off the field of play
For many years, Ravens had relied on big-name players to make plays in high-pressure moments: either Ray Lewis with an impact through the middle, Ed Reed with an interception or a sack Terrell Suggs. This season, the missteps of Baltimore in the fourth quarter they have included missed tackles, missed assignments and interceptions that end up falling out of hand.
On third downs in fourth quarters this year, opposing quarterbacks have completed 9 of 12 passes (75 percent) for 186 yards (73 more than any other team). They have thrown four touchdowns and an interception, along with a sack.
Between 2008 and 2021, the Ravens they had twice as many sacks (54) as TD passes allowed (27) on third downs in the fourth quarter.
“When we get plays that we have to capitalize on, we have to capitalize. It’s that simple,” said the Los Angeles inside linebacker. Ravens, Patrick Queen. “They [la ofensiva] did not get the fourth chance. We must go on the defensive and stop them… that’s our job. When we are at the end of the match, we have to work harder”.