The Baltimore Ravens are looking to make a run over the final four weeks of the 2021 season as they hope to make the playoffs. The team currently stands at 8-5, but they have lost two-straight games and have seen injuries pile up at a rapid rate.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report put together an article listing out big problems that NFL contenders need to fix before the postseason, and for Baltimore he highlighted the Ravens’ “inadequate pass protection”, mentioning how quarterback Lamar Jackson and the rest of the team has failed to adjust to blitz-heavy looks.
“Jackson has been blitzed a career-high 149 times this season. He’s been under pressure on 22.4 percent of his dropbacks. This has led to both sacks and mistakes, as Jackson has been taken down a career-high 38 times and has thrown 13 interceptions, with eight in the past five games alone.”
Knox also talked about areas that the team can help Jackson in pass protection, especially with his ankle injury.
“It’s unlikely that Jackson’s ankle injury is going to help matters, and it may temporarily take away the option of using designed quarterback runs to beat the blitz. Instead, the Ravens should put a premium on max protection and short pass patterns that allow Jackson to get the ball out quickly.”
Finally, Knox mentioned what Jackson needs to do to as he heals from his injury.
“Baltimore must also stress to Jackson that his tendency to buy time in the pocket and look for the big play needs to be reeled in—at least until he’s back to 100 percent. Otherwise, more mistakes and perhaps a bigger injury will follow.”
Jackson has struggled over the past month, but blame also goes on the offensive line for not protecting the quarterback as well as they should be able to. If Baltimore wants to make and go far in the playoffs they’ll have to improve their pass protection in a big way.