The Baltimore Ravens boast one of the most formidable offenses in the league, anchored by the dynamic talents of Lamar Jackson.
After meticulously analyzing every snap of the 2019 Ravens offense, I’ve compiled a series of insights gleaned from their strategies:
Quad Formations
The Ravens exhibit a penchant for deploying unconventional formations, particularly the quad formation, which presents a vexing challenge for opposing defenses. These formations inherently limit defensive disguises due to the necessity of allocating multiple defenders to one side of the field. Consequently, defensive coverage options are significantly reduced.
Illustrated in the diagram is the “Hannover Bunch” quad formation utilized by Baltimore. Notably, the additional eligible receiver positioned outside complicates defensive assignments, particularly in managing outside leverage against the bunch.
Moreover, quad formations afford the Ravens opportunities to engineer scrambling scenarios for Lamar Jackson. Defenses often find themselves uneasy against such alignments, resulting in exposed seams in pass coverage reads.
Crafting 4×1 Concepts
Beyond pure quad sets, the Ravens employ various methods to align four receivers to one side of the field. One tactic involves initially lining up in 3×1 formations and subsequently incorporating the running back into the pass concept, augmenting it as an additional component of a flood concept.
While not uncommon, this approach facilitates the creation of flood routes without overtly telegraphing intentions to the defense. As depicted in the diagram, the offense aligns in a bunch formation, posing challenges for defensive coverage. The late addition of the back executing a flare route enhances the complexity of the pass concept.
Such pass schemes afford Lamar Jackson straightforward yet effective reads, enabling him to focus on identifying open targets rather than deciphering coverage schemes.
The Run-Pass Option (RPO)
The RPO plays a pivotal role in the Ravens’ offensive arsenal, capitalizing on specific matchups ripe for exploitation. Similar to traditional option plays, the majority of Baltimore’s RPO game is predetermined pre-snap. While Lamar Jackson may not always determine his target pre-snap, he possesses clarity regarding the run-pass dichotomy.
Highlighted in the diagram from a game against Cincinnati, Jackson identifies a favorable matchup to the tight end side owing to the defense’s soft edge. Subsequently, his read of the near linebacker dictates the route selection.
Even in scenarios where the defense anticipates the play, the RPO serves as a low-risk option, enhancing the multifaceted nature of Baltimore’s attack and compelling opponents to invest additional preparation time.
Screen Package
A well-rounded offense tailors its screen game to complement its strengths, a principle embraced by the Ravens. Their screen passes are intricately intertwined with their run and misdirection game, creating deception and exploiting defensive vulnerabilities.
In the illustrated play, the Ravens employ jet motion to initiate misdirection, with Lamar Jackson executing a deceptive boot-like action before delivering the ball to the running back. The vertical switch concept on the backside further complicates defensive reactions, creating favorable opportunities for the offense.
Boot Game
An effective boot and play-action pass game seamlessly mirrors core run plays, a strategy expertly executed by the Ravens. Leveraging their unique run game, Baltimore incorporates inventive play-action concepts that mimic actual run plays.
In the depicted diagram, Baltimore employs a favored boot concept resembling one of their staple option plays. Vertical routes stress the secondary, while the delayed flat route provides Lamar Jackson with a late passing option before resorting to his scrambling ability.
These route concepts, flooding one side of the field, present challenges for defenses, rendering aggressive commitment to the line of scrimmage a precarious proposition.
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