Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is taking sacks and here’s why

The Baltimore Ravens allowed the Arizona Cardinals four sacks on quarterback Lamar Jackson in week 8. For offensive coordinator Todd Monken, this should be an area of concern heading into the latter half of the season.

 

 

 

 

 

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There seems to be a pattern with Monken and his eagerness to sequence in a bunch of passing plays when the Ravens are playing opponents of lesser prestige. This approach of challenging lesser teams, likely due to Monken’s dominance coaching at Georgia, is not transferable at the NFL level. Monken needs to accept that the strength of the Ravens offense lies in their No. 3 ranked rushing offense and not in trying to lead with a heavy pass game. 

The four sacks the Cardinals tallied aren’t a result of sole dominance by their defensive line but Jackson’s precaution and stride to avoid turnovers. Once Jackson’s initial reads aren’t there, defenses are able to pounce and force the Ravens to take coverage sacks at times. Monken needs to counter this shortcoming by sticking with the run as the primary initiative.

With a 21-7 lead and a defense that went two entire quarters without allowing a score, Monken needs to be better. The Ravens saw their unwillingness to  commit to running the ball backfire on Oct. 8th when they allowed 14 fourth quarter points in a loss to the Steelers. Sunday the Ravens allowed 17 fourth quarter points the Arizona, a result of fatigue for a Ravens defense that played 71 plays. Monken’s charades need to be addressed and tempered.