The 0-1 Baltimore Ravens will take on the 0-1 Las Vegas Raiders at home in M&T Bank Stadium this Sunday. For their home opener, plenty of changes will have to be made to get their first win of the season. The Raiders lost to the Los Angeles Chargers at So-Fi Stadium 22-10 in their first divisional matchup this past Sunday.
Baltimore going from the two-time Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football with the season opener to Las Vegas the following week is not a matchup to sleep on. The Ravens will have to show why they had the best record in 2023 and take a step closer in a competitive AFC North division on paper.
The Offensive Line- Run and Pass Blocking
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Despite seeing the offensive linemen getting pushed back by the Kansas City Chiefs pass rush, it is more concerning that the run blocking took a significant dip. However, it was a tough defensive matchup and the Baltimore Ravens had 3 new starting offensive linemen, including both guards and right tackle.
They will need their road graders to play against a Las Vegas Raiders defense that got gashed by Los Angeles Chargers, and former Ravens, running back J.K. Dobbins. He had 10 carries for 135 yards and a touchdown in their win in Week 1.
Derrick Henry will have to be used more consistently throughout the game and even if they don’t want to use him as a workhorse, according to head coach John Harbaugh, the output has to be better than Week 1.
Justice Hill will spell him on passing downs, as they try to preserve him for the long haul. However, in tough games, it’s hard to envision him not getting at least 15-20 touches, unlike the 30 carries Harbaugh was referring to in his press conference. In Week 1, Henry had a good opening 2 drives with a touchdown but then was phased out, finishing with 13 carries for 46 yards on the ground.
Offensive Play Calling Needs to Be More Varied
This might’ve been a result of a ferocious pass rush, but unfortunately for Lamar Jackson and company, it doesn’t get that much easier facing Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins. The Raiders’ defensive strength is their front four, and the Ravens’ right side will have to be ready.
Baltimore was rotating right tackles with rookie Roger Rosengarten and veteran Patrick Mekari. At right guard, there may be a switch with Daniel Faalele struggling with Ben Cleveland backing him up.
Offensive coordinator Todd Monken will have to establish the run early to open up the pass later on in the game against a secondary that is a weaker part of their defense. Las Vegas gave up a touchdown to Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey in a game where there wasn’t much passing volume.
The Baltimore Ravens have to diversify their passing game tree, with too many screens to Zay Flowers being called in Week 1. Although Isaiah Likely blew up with his stat line and almost caught the game-tying touchdown at the end, Mark Andrews was bracket-covered most of the game. The downfield passing game to Rashod Bateman has to open up and connect earlier in the game so Jackson can get in more of a rhythm.
The Raiders’ secondary highlights playmaker Jack Jones, Nate Hobbs in the slot, and speedster Jakorian Bennett at cornerback. Baltimore will need someone else involved in the receiving game other than Likely to win next week’s game.
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