I wish I had a simple answer.
But as we know with most of life’s questions it isn’t just one thing, but rather many that cause certain results.
The Baltimore Ravens have been one of the league’s best teams over the past five seasons. They made the playoffs four times and had the league’s MVP twice in that span under center. However, they have continually found new ways to snatch defeat from certain victory.
The numbers don’t lie, the Ravens have ten losses with a seven or more-point lead in the Fourth Quarter which is most in the NFL over the last half decade.
Even this past week in Dallas, after three quarters of dominance Baltimore tried to give the lead back to the Cowboys and escaped with a 28-25 win to record their first of the campaign. The defense gave up nineteen 4th Quarter points to keep this contest way closer than it was for most of the afternoon.
So how can John Harbaugh’s squad close out games better moving forward?
I feel that they need to clean up three areas, Penalties, Execution, and avoiding a Conservative mindset.
As we begin Week Four no team has more penalties or penalty yards than Baltimore. (31 for 278 yds.) They currently average ten a game with many of them coming against the defense which prolongs drives as teams are attempting to put points on the board.
Admittedly there are several calls from all three games that went against the purple and black that many, including myself would classify as questionable. Odafe Oweh’s roughing the passer call on Dak Prescott is one example from last week that left me confused about how officials expect players to play on the field. It hardly matters either way, penalties are costing the team games and it’s an issue that must be fixed if they plan on heading back to the playoffs to challenge the Chiefs.
It would certainly be easy to blame the defense under first year coordinator Zach Orr for wilting and failing to protect leads. In successive weeks the defense has given up multiple touchdowns in the Fourth Quarter after pitching in solid efforts in the early stages of games. This group gets to the Quarterback early but in the second half they struggle getting the opposing signal caller to the turf. Usually, they are picked apart for it. The unit stands twenty third in the league giving up 341 total yards per game.
Of course it isn’t just the defense that needs to improve, the offense needs to do better when they have a lead. Under Harbaugh the Ravens have been known to get conservative in their approach and simply look to burn clock to lock up a win. Lamar Jackson and Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken both seemingly agreed this week that they need to attack more. Let’s hope the Head Coach agrees.
The Ravens will have a chance this Sunday night at the Bank to fix their flaws against a hot Buffalo Bills team. Undoubtedly the media will focus on the Quarterback as Josh Allen is off to an excellent and accurate start to 2024. As Allen goes so goes the Bills as they look to win their fourth straight with a +64 point differential as they head into the black out planned on Russell Street.
Baltimore will need to continue to stick to the offensive plan last week in Dallas. Get the ground game going with Derrick Henry and Justice Hill and have Lamar Jackson be efficient spreading the ball around and if they get a lead to continue to attack the defense.
On defense they will have their hands full with Allen who is completing 75% of his passes this season. He’s been especially lethal in the middle of the field, a spot where the Ravens defense has been vulnerable. The secondary has given up 7.5 yds. per pass so far.
Baltimore has the talent to beat any team in the league but right now they just aren’t disciplined enough and their defense is still finding its way, especially in the Fourth Quarter. I’m predicting a Bills win 26-21 to drop Baltimore to 1-3.
Let’s hope I’m wrong.
Enjoy Week Four everyone and Happy Football! Go Ravens!
Matt has lived in Maryland his entire life and is a graduate of Calvert Hall and Towson University. has always been an avid Baltimore sports fan. Since 2007, he has been writing and talking about Baltimore sports, especially the Ravens. His work has appeared on Ravens Gab, Russell Street Report, and he currently co-hosts a podcast “The Blitz- A Ravens podcast” with Brent Harris.