The Baltimore Ravens’ offensive line has become one of the team’s biggest concerns.
Although Baltimore is on a five-game winning streak, offensive progress keeps stalling since the pocket collapses far too often. Lamar Jackson has already taken 24 sacks this season — even after missing games with an injury — which tops his total from last year, with multiple games left.
Even worse, the unit ranked dead last in pass protection rankings in Week 11.
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Guard Play Has Become a Major Liability
First, the guards’ performances have fallen far short of expectations.
Right guard Daniel Faalele has produced the lowest run blocking grade on the team, while Andrew Vorhees has the second-worst overall grade, resulting in excessive pressure from this offensive line. Far too frequently, the pocket evaporates too quickly since they struggle with run and power blocking.
This forces Lamar Jackson to make hurried decisions or unnecessary escapes out of the pocket. They’ve also gotten in the way of a run game that is limiting Derrick Henry’s efficiency compared to last year, and it is preventing the offense from controlling the tempo.
In addition, both players possess elite size and frame on paper. Faalele stands at 6-foot-8 and 380 pounds, while Vorhees is 6-foot-6 and 310 pounds. With size at the guard position, the Ravens should be winning battles inside.
Instead, both look slow off the snap and get pushed around far too easily. In particular, Faalele sometimes looks lost, which leads to pass rushers creating pressure or more yards being left off the table due to missed blocks.
How the Ravens Offensive Line Contributes to Offensive Struggles
Due to the interior breakdowns, the entire offense has suffered.
Defenders penetrate so quickly that red zone trips end before plays can fully develop, leading to their awful 28th ranking in the red zone. These struggles force Jackson to release the ball quicker and expose him to more hits.
When the protection breaks down, the offense is predictable, and opposing defenses have a massive advantage. At this point, the Ravens cannot function at a high level without improved blocking.
Who Can Step In?
As the Ravens’ offensive line continues to struggle, the coaching staff still has multiple ways to fix the issue. Ben Cleveland remains a credible short-term option because he plays with more power in the run game and understands the system. In addition, Emery Jones finally returned from his offseason shoulder injury, and his athletic profile allows him to slide to guard if the staff wants more movement inside.
Carson Vinson also offers a fresh option. His 6-foot-7 frame, built with strength and mobility, can allow him to make a move at guard. Allowing rookies Vinson and Jones to slide in with the Ravens’ offensive line can lead to great development and a potential solution to the bad guard play. At this point, the coaching staff must immediately replace at least one of the current starters to make any meaningful improvement.
Adjustments Are Mandatory for a Deep Playoff Run
The Baltimore Ravens must fix the offensive line before the final stretch of the season. The team has the talent to make noise in January, yet they cannot succeed if Jackson faces constant pressure. If the unit stabilizes, Baltimore has a real chance to turn inconsistent play into a postseason and Super Bowl push.
But without meaningful adjustments, the offense will continue to fall short of its potential.
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