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Ravens Struggling On Offense; Penalties And Injuries Are Huge Factors

By Daniel Benjamin

The Baltimore Ravens enter their Week 7 matchup in need of a win over the woeful New York Jets. The Ravens are in danger of falling out of the playoff hunt, having lost three straight. This is the seventh time in franchise history that Baltimore has opened the season at 3-3, having reached the playoffs in four of the previous six seasons. However, they won their seventh game of the season in each of the four instances they made the playoffs.

Baltimore's biggest problem thus far has been its failure to get the ball over the goal line. The Ravens are averaging 19.5 points and giving up 19.2 points; the difference is that they have scored just 10 touchdowns and their opponents haves scored 15. On a positive note, kicker Justin Tucker is a perfect 15-for-15 on field goal attempts.

Joe Flacco Has Been Average

A big reason for the Ravens' offensive struggles has been the so-so performance of Joe Flacco. Last Sunday was a microcosm of his season. Against the Giants, Flacco surpassed the 300-yard mark for the second time this year. But the 31-year-old completed only 54.2 percent of his passes ( 26-of-48) and didn't record a touchdown. 

Flacco leads the league in passing attempts (264) and completions (164), though he is 22nd in completion percentage (62.1). He is in the middle of the pack in yards per game (265) and total QBR (57.0), as well as interceptions (4). The ninth-year pro is also near the bottom in touchdowns (five) along with sacks taken (13).

Flacco is reportedly bothered by a sore shoulder, which caused him to miss Wednesday's practice.

John Harbaugh Wishes He Could Have "Fine Jar" For Penalties.

Another issue this year has been penalties. The Ravens have been flagged a league-high 52 times, and are on pace to set a new franchise record for number of flags. Holding penalties have been the team's biggest bugaboo, as they have been called for 10 of those in the last three games.

While the holding penalties have been the most problematic recently, it is the other non-physical type flags that are more of a killer, because they are entirely preventable. The Ravens have been called for delay of game three times, illegal formation twice and defensive offside three times.

Terrell Suggs And Marshal Yanda May Not Play Against The Jets

Two important members on either side of the ball are not expected to play against the Jets: Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs and starting right guard Marshal Yanda.

Suggs suffered a biceps injury versus the Giants as he sacked Eli Manning. The injury is not season-ending, according to head coach John Harbaugh.

“He’s played with that injury before,” Harbaugh said. “He has a chance to come back soon. How soon remains to be determined."

Suggs leads the Ravens with five sacks and has 19 tackles overall in six games.

Yanda (shoulder) was one of seven players to miss the Giants game on Sunday, and Harbaugh didn't sound confident that the five-time Pro Bowler would be able to go against the Jets. Three of seven players that missed the Giants game were starting offensive linemen.

“Marshal Yanda will be a stretch [to play] with his situation. So we’ll see how that one goes,” said Harbaugh.

 

 

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