Lamar Jackson Believes Defenses Are Calling Out The Ravens Plays, Could This Explain Their Offensive Struggles?
2020: 23rd
2019: 2nd
2020: 19th
PFF:
2019: 3rd
2020: 20th
EPA (10% garbage time adjustment):
2019: 2nd
2020: 15th
I'm sure you're noticing the same trend I am.....the Ravens offense is struggling this year. What is their issue? Is it the pandemic? Or has the NFL "figured out" Lamar?
SOURCE-"They're calling out our plays, stuff like that," Jackson said. "They know what we're doing. Sometimes stuff won't go our way if they're beating us to the punch."
Eisen pressed Jackson as to whether he can hear defenders call out the Ravens' plays.
"Yeah, they definitely do," Jackson said. "Like, 'run' and stuff like that. 'Watch out for this, watch out for that.' Sometimes that's what's going on."
This isn't necessarily that surprising. NFL defensive coordinators are incredibly good at their job and when you put enough on tape? You best be ready to adjust.
Whose fault is this? Is it Lamar? Maybe, but let's not forget to put some of the blame on Greg Roman, who some were talking about being the next great coach!
Let's look at Lamar's stats:
2019: 1st
2020: 17th
2019: 5th
2020: 23rd
EPA=Expected Points Added
CPOE=Completion Percentage Over Expected
2019: 8th
2020: 18th
The Ravens are halfway through their season. They are 6-2, but there are a few reasons to be concerned. Specifically how they have trended downwards as the season has gone on.
Weeks 1-4: Browns, Texans, Chiefs, WFT
Ravens EPA: 6th
Lamar EPA+CPOE: 5th
Weeks 5-9: Bengals, Eagles, Steelers, Colts
Ravens EPA: 21st
Lamar EPA+CPOE: 29th
It would be unfair to publish this blog without mentioning that Lamar may be battling through a knee injury sustained in early October. The Ravens swear it's not serious, but who knows.
These "struggles" could all change in the upcoming weeks, but the Ravens have not been great in their past 4 games, even if they have gone 3-1.
If I were putting on the cap of an optimist Ravens fan, I'd point out how good some of the defenses they've faced in weeks 5-9:
Eagles: 11th in defensive DVOA
Steelers: 2nd in defensive DVOA
Colts: 3rd in defensive DVOA
They do have to play well this weekend against the Patriots. Joe Flacco put up the third-best QB performance in week 9 against this Pats defense....Lamar is going to have to do the same against the defense that ranks 31st in defensive DVOA....31st!
If not? Then it will be time to seriously get nervous.