Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders at Ravens: 3 things we learned

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Protecting Joe Flacco has become a major problem for the Baltimore Ravens, after the quarterback was under constant duress during Week 4’s loss to the Oakland Raiders.

The Baltimore Ravens slipped to their first defeat of the 2016 NFL season as the Raiders left M&T Bank Stadium with a 28-27 win. Their success hounding Flacco in the pocket was a big reason why, particularly during a first half where the Ravens managed just six points.

Flacco and a suspect offensive line needed the help of a credible running game. Fortunately, Terrance West managed to deliver on the ground this week, topping 100 yards for the first time this season

Yet, while Flacco spent most of the afternoon running for his life, Oakland passer Derek Carr wasn’t harassed enough. He threw four touchdowns against a defense still needing to manufacture pressure, rather than getting any from a conventional rush.

Here’s what we learned about the Ravens after their first defeat:

1. Pressure still needs to be manufactured

Coordinator Dean Pees oversees a talented unit, one buoyed by creative pressure schemes. But Pees still has to manufacture so much of the pass rush, and that should concern the Ravens.

Baltimore’s defense didn’t register a sack, nor really lay a glove on Carr. Admittedly, the Raiders boast a solid O-line, but any team facing the Silver and Black knows it has to get to Carr, especially one with a defense as stout as the Ravens.

A big part of the problem was the inability of front-seven players to win one-on-one matchups.

Pees is doing an outstanding job crafting psycho or amoeba-style fronts, featuring just one down lineman and a host of standing rushers. But at some point, he needs to be able to trust his regular personnel to bring the heat out of base packages.

Perhaps father time has finally caught up with edge-rushers Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil.

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2. Running game can be staple of the Ravens’ offense

One positive from this game was the long overdue breakout of the Baltimore running game. Terrance West led the way, en route to 113 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.

More important than the numbers, though, a consistent dose of running established an identity suited to this offense. Namely, a smash mouth one.

West’s bruising runs in the third quarter brought the swagger back to a unit previously cowed by a ferocious pass rush. The Ravens got physical, with tight ends Dennis Pitta and Crockett Gillmore blocking for keeps on the edge, while fullback Kyle Juszczyk knocked open holes for fun in the middle.

A revitalized running game gave these Ravens a necessary attitude adjustment. It’s something coordinator Marc Trestman has to lean on earlier and more often in games going forward.

3. Pass Protection woes continue

Eight sacks through four games may not read like a particularly searing indictment of the Ravens’ O-line. But it isn’t just the sacks Flacco’s taking that are the problem. It’s the countless other hits, along with all the times he’s forced out of his passing lane and rushed into wayward throws.

Against the Raiders, it was easy to lose count of how many times the pocket instantly disintegrated around Flacco. It wasn’t just Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin collapsing the edges, although the pair were living in Flacco’s grid square.

However, the interior didn’t hold up, either. Denico Autry frequently split gaps inside to get in Flacco’s face. It didn’t help that interior blockers center Jeremy Zuttah and guard Ryan Jensen struggled mightily.

Truthfully, there are problems at every level of the line. In particular, Eugene Monroe’s retirement has turned left tackle from a position of strength to a glaring weakness, with rookie Ronnie Stanley taking his lumps and replacement James Hurst looking out of his depth.

Trestman will need to keep tight ends and running backs in to chip edge-rushers, otherwise Flacco will continue to be swarmed upon.