Two games is a tiny sample size, but the Baltimore Ravens are surrendering 283.5 yards passing per game and 76% completion percentage against. That’s just not going to win football games in today’s National Football League.
Those are poor numbers, just in general. Still, when you consider the preseason expectations that were in place for this Ravens secondary…those statistics are especially notable, and not in a good way.
When healthy, this Ravens defensive backs group should be in the top five in the NFL, maybe even the top three. You can’t point the finger at any one person or any one thing. First-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr is struggling to grow into the role.
Defensive Backs Coach Doug Mallory is also in his first year on the job. Clearly, there are problems of adjustment and continuity all around. We’ve seen issues with poor execution and badly lost individual matchups. There have been problems with the scheme, too.
An improved pass rush would help immensely as well. While it is still very early in the season, the faster they can figure this out, the better. Much has been made about how the Ravens were going to do in the postseason and what that would mean.
However, they must stop the pass consistently; otherwise, they won’t even get there.
The good news is that this team has the talent and depth at all the secondary positions to figure it out.