Ravens @ Broncos
Final Score: Ravens 23, Broncos 7
Writer: Callen Elslager (@callen_elslager on Twitter and Reddit)
Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson 22/37, 316 yards, 1 TD | 7 carries, 28 yards
While the Denver defense was able to slow down the threat of Lamar Jackson running the football, Jackson opened up the field with his arm. Jackson looked pretty good airing the ball out this week, taking some deep shots downfield and being able to move around in the pocket a bit before finding his targets. We saw Jackson display his arm strength with a deep ball for a touchdown, leading Marquise Brown into the endzone for his lone touchdown pass of the afternoon.
Running Back
Latavius Murray: 18 carries, 59 yards, 1 TD
Le’Veon Bell: 4 carries, 11 yards | 1 target
Devonta Freeman: 1 carry, 4 yards
We were all surprised to see Ty’Son Williams as a healthy scratch for this matchup on Sunday, but it opened up the opportunity for Latavius Murray to take the lead back role. Murray took advantage of this opportunity, including scoring a touchdown on first and goal running to the outside towards the endzone. He was given some space from the offensive line but the Broncos defensive line did a good job containing him and the entire run game, including Le’Veon Bell and Devonta Freeman, and preventing these backs from breaking off a big run. Anyone interested in Le’Veon Bell should tamper with their expectations as he came in every so often to spell Murray and did very little to impress with that work he was given.
TOUCHDOWN @LataviusM‼️
We're all tied up at 7-7 in the second quarter‼️
Tune in on CBS. pic.twitter.com/1Rwh8jrP57
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 3, 2021
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Marquise Brown: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 91 yards, 1 TD
James Proche II: 6 targets, 5 receptions, 74 yards
Mark Andrews: 8 targets, 5 receptions 67 yards
Sammy Watkins: 7 targets, 4 receptions, 49 yards
Devin Duvernay: 6 targets, 3 receptions, 31 yards
Marquise Brown was by far the best-looking receiver in this offense on Sunday, using his speed to break into open space for some longer receptions, This was most evidenced by his touchdown reception where he broke open past the secondary and laid out to catch the ball slightly overthrown.
Lamar 🎯 to Hollywood Brown#FantasyFootball || #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/fuPnnu1oDn
— QB List (@TheQBlist) October 3, 2021
Mark Andrews lead the way in terms of targets and remained a very viable security blanket for Jackson, often being Jackson’s guy he would lean on in crucial situations. He continues to see the ball downfield while also taking some shorter routes, as the number one option in this passing attack. Sammy Watkins took advantage as well, being looked at throughout the game a little deeper downfield, while James Proche II came out of nowhere with an impressive performance as well, breaking out into open space and taking advantage of the work he was given.
Denver Broncos
Quarterback
Teddy Bridgewater: 7/16, 65 yards, 1 TD | 1 carry, 2 yards
Drew Lock: 12/21, 113 yards, 1 INT
Teddy Bridgewater faced strong pressure throughout the game before having to leave the game prior to the half due to a shot to the head, which would later lead to being diagnosed with a concussion knocking him out the rest of the afternoon. The pressure from Baltimore’s defense was definitely getting to Bridgewater, leading him to be out of sync with his receivers and off-target with some of his throws. He did throw for a touchdown down at the goal line on a quick out route by Noah Fant leaving him wide open in the corner of the endzone.
After Teddy Bridgewater’s concussion, Drew Lock came in to replace Bridgewater and faced the same pressure but faired fairly well under it. Of course, he wasn’t as in sync with his receivers and had to throw a lot to try and catch up to the Ravens’ score. His interception was very late in the game in the endzone trying to find Courtland Sutton, with the corner just stepping in front of it for the interception.
Running Back
Melvin Gordon III: 9 carries, 56 yards | 4 targets, 2 receptions, 11 yards
Javonte Williams: 7 carries, 48 yards | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 11 yards
The Denver running back tandem continues to be a complete mess as both backs were mixed in and out pretty frequently. Both Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams took advantage of the work they were given and looked very solid running behind an offensive line that gave them space to break off some longer runs. However, the game plan had to change as the Broncos soon had to start airing it out to keep up with the scoring of Baltimore. The most impressive of these runs is seen below as Javonte Williams bounced out of tackles and broke into open space, seen below.
HOW 🤯
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/W7o8k6VI5b
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 3, 2021
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Courtland Sutton: 8 targets, 3 receptions, 47 yards
Noah Fant: 10 targets, 6 receptions, 46 yards, 1 TD
Tim Patrick: 6 targets, 3 receptions, 36 yards
Kendall Hinton: 3 targets, 1 reception, 13 yards
Albert Okwuegbunam: 2 targets, 1 reception, 11 yards
Diontae Spencer: 1 target
Courtland Sutton remained the top receiver on the field Sunday, with both quarterbacks looking his way in crucial situations. However, they were not fully in sync as the pressure forced these passes to be a bit offline, including the interception thrown by Drew lock into the endzone looking for Sutton. On the other hand, Noah Fant was efficient with the work he was given breaking open over the middle, also continuing his looks in crucial situations. This was also seen as he saw some goalline targets, including his touchdown reception seen below.
All day. 😎@nrfant | 📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/Fc8VQmqx7C
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 3, 2021
With the injuries earlier in the season to Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler, Tim Patrick has emerged as the number two receiver. While the pressure did not allow as many passes to get to him, Patrick remains quite involved in the offense. We have already mentioned the work given to Noah Fant, but Albert Okwuegbunam is getting a bit more work in the offense as well. While he only had one reception, the other target was a deep ball down the sideline that just went through his hands that could have vastly improved his stats on the day.
— Callen Elslager (@callen_elslager on Twitter and Reddit)