In a game where the Baltimore Ravens needed to win in order to keep their playoff hopes alive, they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 24-21. It was a much different offensive game plan for Baltimore due to a new starting quarterback. Below are several charts showcasing their personnel usage, play type and yards gained.

Ravens offensive chart Down and Distance Personnel Play type Result Down and Distance Personnel Play type Result 1st and 10 12 Zone read 2 2nd and 8 11 QB run 12 1st and 10 12 Zone run 0 2nd and 10 12 QB run 6 3rd and 4 11 QB draw 21 1st and 10 12 Outside zone 5 2nd and 5 21 End around 0 3rd and 5 12 QB run 6 1st and 10 11 Split zone 6 1st and 8 22 Power read 1 2nd and 7 12 Zone read 7 1st and 10 12 Jet Sweep 8 2nd and 2 12 Play action 3 1st and 10 11 Play action 4 2nd and 6 11 Outside zone 1 3rd and 5 11 Pass 0 1st and 10 13 Zone read 0 2nd and 10 11 Split zone 3 3rd and 7 11 Pass 0 1st and 15 11 Zone read 5 2nd and 10 11 Pass 9 3rd and 1 11 QB sneak 2 1st and 10 11 Zone read 1 2nd and 9 11 Pass 7 3rd and 2 12 Duo 3 1st and 10 22 Play action 16 1st and 10 12 Zone read 8 2nd and 2 12 Play action -5 3rd and 17 11 Pass 0 1st and 10 11 RPO 9 2nd and 1 21 Inside zone 6 1st and 10 22 Zone read 12 1st and 10 12 Power 5 2nd and 5 11 QB run 4 3rd and 11 11 Pass 8 1st and 10 21 Power 4 2nd and 6 11 Pass 23 1st and 10 10 Pass 0 1st and 10 11 Inside zone 15 1st and 10 12 Split zone 6 2nd and 4 12 Play action Interception 1st and 10 12 QB run 11 1st and 10 11 RPO 16 1st and 10 11 Pass 0 2nd and 10 11 Split zone 5 3rd and 5 11 QB draw 4 4th and 1 22 QB sneak 0 1st and 10 21 Play action -7 2nd and 17 11 Pass 17 1st and 10 11 Play action Incompletion 2nd and 10 12 Zone read 8 3rd and 2 12 Duo 17 1st and 10 12 Pass 14 1st and 10 11 QB run 7 2nd and 3 22 Zone read 6 1st and 10 22 Triple Option 7 2nd and 3 11 Split zone 11 1st and 10 11 Split zone 2 2nd and 8 11 Zone read 1 3rd and 7 11 Pass 19 1st and 10 21 Power 1 2nd and 9 12 Pass 4 3rd and 5 11 Inside zone 15 1st and 10 22 Duo 2 2nd and 8 12 Outside zone 1 3rd and 7 11 Pass 8 1st and 8 22 Run (fumble) 0 2nd and 11 11 QB draw 7 3rd and 4 11 QB draw -2 1st and 10 11 Play action 2 2nd and 8 11 Zone read 4 3rd and 4 12 QB run 3 1st and 10 22 Kneel -1 2nd and 11 22 Kneel -1 3rd and 12 22 Kneel -1

First down play type and yards gained Down and Distance Duo Inside zone Jet Sweep Kneel Outside zone Pass Pass Play action Play action Power Power read QB run RPO Run (fumble) Split zone Triple Option Zone read Zone run Grand Total Down and Distance Duo Inside zone Jet Sweep Kneel Outside zone Pass Pass Play action Play action Power Power read QB run RPO Run (fumble) Split zone Triple Option Zone read Zone run Grand Total 1st and 10 8 6 5 8 27 1st and 10 2 15 -1 5 0 14 16 -7 5 18 25 14 7 15 0 128 1st and 15 5 5 1st and 8 1 0 1 Grand Total 2 15 8 -1 5 0 14 22 -7 10 1 18 25 0 14 7 28 0 161

2nd down play type and yards gained Down and Distance End around Inside zone Kneel Outside zone Pass Pass Play action QB draw QB run Split zone Zone read Grand Total Down and Distance End around Inside zone Kneel Outside zone Pass Pass Play action QB draw QB run Split zone Zone read Grand Total 2nd and 1 6 6 2nd and 10 8 8 2nd and 10 9 6 8 23 2nd and 11 -1 -1 2nd and 11 7 7 2nd and 17 17 17 2nd and 2 -2 -2 2nd and 3 6 6 2nd and 3 11 11 2nd and 4 0 0 2nd and 5 4 4 2nd and 5 0 0 2nd and 6 1 1 2nd and 6 23 23 2nd and 7 7 7 2nd and 8 1 12 5 18 2nd and 9 11 11 Grand Total 0 6 -1 2 11 49 -2 7 22 19 26 139

3rd and 4th down play type and yards gained Down and Distance Duo Duo Inside zone Kneel Pass Pass QB draw QB run QB run QB sneak QB sneak Grand Total Down and Distance Duo Duo Inside zone Kneel Pass Pass QB draw QB run QB run QB sneak QB sneak Grand Total 3rd and 1 2 2 3rd and 11 8 8 3rd and 12 -1 -1 3rd and 17 0 0 3rd and 2 3 3 3rd and 2 17 17 3rd and 4 19 3 22 3rd and 5 4 4 3rd and 5 15 0 6 21 3rd and 7 19 19 3rd and 7 8 8 3rd and 7 0 0 4th and 1 0 0 Grand Total 3 17 15 -1 35 0 23 6 3 2 0 103

Personnel usage Personnel Yards gained Snaps Personnel Yards gained Snaps 10 0 1 11 246 36 12 112 21 13 0 1 21 4 5 22 41 11 Grand Total 403 75

Personnel usage by down Down and Distance 10 11 12 13 21 22 Grand Total Down and Distance 10 11 12 13 21 22 Grand Total 1st 1 12 9 1 3 7 33 2nd 13 8 2 2 25 3rd 11 4 1 16 4th 1 1 Grand Total 1 36 21 1 5 11 75

With Lamar Jackson as the starting quarterback, it was certainly expected that the Ravens would run more zone read than usual. The biggest surprise was the amount of success that they had utilizing this ‘college concept.’

One of the most significant changes to Baltimore’s game plan was the implementation of the zone read. Zone reads would obviously not work with Joe Flacco, but they worked well with Lamar Jackson at quarterback. As the old saying goes, ‘if you can not block them, read them.’ Zone reads employ a zone blocking scheme that details a double team block, and the play side tackle will climb to the second level to reach a linebacker. The quarterback must read the play side defensive end to determine whether or not he should keep the ball or hand it off. On this play, Jackson made the wrong read. He should have kept the football.

One of the advantages of using zone reads as much as Baltimore did is the endless amount of plays they could work off of it, such as outside quarterback runs. Jackson had several designed quarterback runs, where he would fake read the defense, but he was keeping the football regardless. The way to distinguish designed quarterback runs and zone reads are usually if the play side defensive end is blocked. In the early portion of the game, the Bengals rarely stacked the box, which was one of the biggest reasons why Baltimore’s 11-play all running play first drive worked so well.

The Bengals employed less man coverage in their second matchup against Baltimore. They utilized Pattern-match and Cover 3 much more, which should have been expected since Marvin Lewis took over as the defensive coordinator. Against Pattern match, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg dialed up a quarterback draw. Jackson would act like he is dropping back to pass, while the receivers run routes as if it was a normal passing play. However, after three steps, Jackson would dart upfield. This is all by design, and the way to tell is by looking at center Matt Skura. Plays like this will work well with Jackson as it stretches the defense and opens up the field for him. A point of emphasis for Baltimore’s offense was clearly to get Jackson where he is most comfortable — in space.

The biggest question after this game is can the Ravens sustain this kind of offensive success. Given their lopsided run to pass ratio, opposing defenses would stack the box and dare Jackson to throw it. That will likely be the case, but the Ravens showcased on multiple occasions they can still run it with stacked boxes. Obviously, they can not rely on that, but the ability to still gain yards despite facing seven and eight men boxes will be critical. On another designed quarterback run, Jackson got to the outside and picked up the first down. The most encouraging sign from this play is where Jackson finished the play — untouched, out of bounds. If Baltimore is going to continue to give him a substantial amount of carries, he has to be smart and pick his battles.

On a zone read, Jackson made the correct read. He handed it to Alex Collins, who had good blocking on the outside en route to the end zone. Even though Alex Lewis did not reach the linebacker as he was likely designed to do, the linebacker did not impact the play. Orlando Brown Jr. provided a critical block play side, which allowed Collins to bounce it outside. He also made a defender miss as Matt Skura was unable to sustain his block on the one-tech.

The Ravens’ running game is known as one of the most diverse systems in the league due to the wide variety of concepts they run. In Week 11, they utilized a ton of different concepts in the running game. One of those plays was the jet sweep. Chris Moore made a couple of big plays in this game, including a nice gain on a jet sweep.

The Bengals ran Cover-3 Mable against Baltimore’s 3 x 1 set. This is a classic cover-3, but the difference is that the cornerback on the side with the lone receiver plays man coverage. This allows the defense to have an advantage on the zone side. The Ravens had a questionable play call against this type of coverage, and the result was an incompletion. It was nearly a sack as a swipe move beat Ronnie Stanley.

The Bengals adjusted to Baltimore’s run-heavy game plan by loading the box. They had eight men in the box on this play for a zone read. Jackson should have kept it as the defensive end never accounted for him keeping the ball, and he had space on the outside. With Nick Boyle as a lead blocker, Jackson may have had a significant gain.

The Bengals sent five rushers, but they disguised the blitz well. With more experience, Jackson may have been able to audible or identify this blitz pre-snap. However, it looks as if he did not expect it. Against man coverage, the Ravens receivers did not create any separation, which forced Jackson to scramble. He hit Nick Boyle for a very short gain.

Against zone coverage, Snead was wide open in the middle of the field and picked up a significant amount of yards. Jackson had ample time and space to deliver an accurate pass against a four-man rush. Along the offensive line, Marshal Yanda helped Skura with the nose tackle by delivering a rib-checking block.

Another adjustment Cincinnati made was blitzing from the slot, especially on plays they identified as zone reads. With no one to account for the extra man in the backfield, he single-handedly blew up this zone read. The Ravens will have to develop a counter for this as opposing defenses may continue to do this.

Jackson may have only attempted 19 passes, but he did put to rest some of the concerns about his inaccuracy. Michael Crabtree was open against the zone coverage, but the ball needed to be on the outside shoulder. Otherwise, Cincinnati may have had a chance to disrupt the play. Jackson delivered an extremely accurate pass to the outside shoulder of Crabtree, which allowed him to make a relatively smooth adjustment to complete the catch.

Play-action passes are another way the Ravens could counter stacked boxes. With a safety dropping into the box, the Bengals had eight in the box. Once Jackson faked the handoff, they swarmed the run to the left side, which left Jackson one on one as he rolled to his right. The defender did not account for Boyle, which gave Jackson an easy throw for a completion. This was a 16-yard gain off of a short, easy dump off pass. The Raiders should expect to see more plays like this if they stack the box.

The Bengals had seven players in the box against another zone read. With the defensive end crashing inside, Jackson had an easy read to keep the ball. He had a lead blocker on the outside and picked up a significant amount of yards on a relatively simple concept. Zone reads are not particularly popular in the NFL, but the Ravens torched Cincinnati with them.

Against man-coverage, Jackson had nowhere to throw the football. The route concepts were perplexing as there were no rub concepts, high-low concepts, or double moves. These play designs relied solely on the receivers winning their matchups, which they have not shown they can do consistently this season. Baltimore’s receivers also struggled against the Bengals in Week 2. It is questionable, to say the least, why Mornhinweg felt confident in his receivers to win these matchups based on the last three games and the previous matchup earlier in the season against the Bengals.

This is another RPO. The Ravens utilized a slant read concept with Willie Snead in the slot. Jackson is reading the slot cornerback, and if he is playing far off or bites hard on the run fake, he will throw it to Snead. The cornerback dropped back initially, which gave Jackson a clear keep read. Jackson is clearly at his best in RPO type plays as they are very familiar to him.

On another zone read concept, Jackson baited the defensive end into staying on the outside long enough to clear a hole for Edwards. Although Matt Skura missed his block on the linebacker, Edwards made him miss en route to picking up a big gain. Skura’s block was a difficult one to make as he had to help Alex Lewis with the three-technique, and then climb to the second level, but it is one that needed to be made.

On a trap concept, Alex Lewis was responsible for blocking the defensive tackle, but Yanda and Brown Jr. utilized the slingshot technique to take care of him. They both then climbed to the second level to reach the linebackers. Brown Jr. was unable to effectively block the linebacker, who helped make the tackle on Collins. This was a concern for Brown Jr. when he was drafted by the Ravens as he is not adept at reaching the second level. For as good as he is in pass protection, run blocking is a concern.

This is the best play Jackson made all game. It also showcases his true instincts and thought process during any given play. He has been labeled as a run-first quarterback, but this play should rest that false notion. Jackson was pressured by a four-man rush and was forced to escape outside the pocket. Despite the open space in front of him to run, Jackson ran horizontally and kept his eyes downfield. He was then able to find John Brown wide open in the middle of the field. The Ravens’ receivers may not have a ton of experience in a ‘scramble drill’ situation, but they will undoubtedly practice that this week. Brown broke from his route and ran towards Jackson and had good awareness to stay where he was once his defender committed to stopping the quarterback scramble.

On an inside zone concept, Gus Edwards displayed incredible vision to run through the open lanes. Baltimore’s running backs have struggled with correctly identifying the right lanes to run through, but Edwards’ decision making was flawless and easy on this play. The other impressive aspect of his performance was his yards after contact. Most of his runs consisted of him making at least one defender miss.

Jackson’s interception was his worst play of the game, but the all-22 angle shows precisely what he saw — Snead’s defender on the ground and an open receiver along the sidelines. Jackson delivered an inaccurate pass that was underthrown, but the decision-making was not the issue. Initially, it looked as if Jackson made a poor decision, but it was merely a bad throw. Had the pass had more air under it, Snead would have picked up the first down and more.

On another designed quarterback run against a loaded box, Jackson was able to get to the edge and pick up a first down. Concepts like these will be critical to opening up the passing game, including play action, moving forward with Jackson.

The Ravens utilized several RPOs in this game, and they had some success as the defense overcommitted to stopping the run. Nick Boyle faked to the outside as if he was run blocking, and then cut upfield. With the linebacker attempting to get to the edge, Boyle had the inside leverage and plenty of space in front of him. Jackson made the correct read by keeping it and delivering an accurate pass.

This was not the first time in this game that the Ravens utilized a 3 x 1 set and the Bengals responded with Cover 3 Mable. Despite Cincinnati giving away their hand several times in this game, the Ravens failed to attack it effectively. Instead of flooding the zones and the left side (weakness), Baltimore attacked the middle of the field, which is the strength of this coverage. The alternative play is one that I designed that likely would have created separation for Snead on the deep dig route.

Brown Jr. gave up this sack due to the bend of Carlos Dunlap. He nearly defended the bend well by pushing down on Dunlap and using his leverage against him, but it was not enough. The duck was not the ‘bend,’ but rather Dunlap’s left leg planting into the ground creating an acute angle to get by Brown Jr. Yanda was also unable to sustain his block, which ultimately finished the sack.

Although Jackson’s accuracy was not perfect, he was efficient. He also received help from some of his receivers. On this play, the pass was thrown well-behind Moore, but he made an incredible adjustment to the ball and made a spectacular one-handed catch to pick up the first down.

It appears as if this is a split zone look as Jackson is not reading the defensive end, but rather handing the ball off regardless. Snead was supposed to block the defensive end. However, since he committed to Jackson running the ball, Snead turned upfield to block a defensive back. Edwards showcased great contact balance not only to make several defenders miss but also to score a touchdown.

Final Takeaways