The loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thanksgiving marked the end of the Ravens’ 5-game winning streak but also highlighted an ongoing issue with the offense. It all starts with quarterback Lamar Jackson, who had three consecutive games without a touchdown for the first time in his career. He has not played at his MVP-level since he suffered a hamstring injury back in Week 4. The offense has not been as effective as last year’s, when they led the league in total yards, and with few roster changes, the drop-off is hard to explain. The obvious issue has been the health of Jackson, who has been listed in every injury report except for one, with various ailments, including a hurt ankle and toe. He is only averaging under 30 yards per game rushing, which would be the lowest of his career. He is far off his career average of just under 60 yards per game rushing, and it’s clear that the injuries have been a factor. “It was not a precise offensive performance in any way. There was nothing precise about it. It was imprecise in every way, and we all know that. We’re all not happy with it. We’re very disappointed by it, but you can’t live in it. You have to move on and come out swinging the next time,” Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said. The offense’s issues are not all on Jackson, but the spotlight is on the former MVP, who has set the bar high, so most of the blame will go toward him. Here is a look at what else is holding back the Ravens’ offense.Offensive Line IssuesThe most talked about storyline behind Jackson’s injury as they have struggled to protect their quarterback and open up holes for the running backs. The offensive line returned four starters from a unit that performed well last season, but has not seen the same success. The unit overall has struggled, but the inside play of both guards has gotten the most attention.Neither Andrew Vorhees nor Daniel Faalele has played up to par this season, and third-round pick Emery Jones Jr. saw his first playing time last week after missing most of the season recovering from shoulder surgery. Jackson has been sacked 27 times this season in only nine games. He is on pace to break his record for sacks allowed of 38 set in 2021.”There’s a step between being a starter and being an established starter, kind of, in the league – kind of what you’re talking about. And when you’re a younger player like Andrew (Vorhees) – or a lot of guys – you want to establish yourself as a starter. I think he’s in the process of doing that. He played good ball, he graded out highly, his numbers were good. Daniel (Faalele) graded out highly, too. There are plays that both of them want back,” Harbaugh said. The lack of push from the interior offensive line has been the biggest issue for the running game, as Derrick Henry has been tackled behind the line 18 times this season, losing around 40 yards on those plays. Many of those instances happened while the Ravens were trying to score from the red zone, and one of the reasons they have the third-worst red-zone scoring percentage (46%) in the league. Has Henry hit a wall?After coming off one of the best seasons of his career, Henry looks like he may have hit the proverbial wall that all running backs eventually hit at the end of their careers. He is averaging the lowest amount of yards since becoming a full-time starter in 2019 and has looked a tad slower this season.At age 31, his best days are well behind him, but his performance last season had expectations high that he could come close to that form this year. A lot of his issues come from the poor offensive line play, similar to his final season with the Tennessee Titans, when he only rushed for 68 yards per game. He is also on pace for the fewest amount of carries since being injured in 2021.Despite the down season for him, Henry is still on pace for 1,300 yards rushing and over 13 touchdowns this season. Most teams would take that performance from a running back in decline, and it should be good enough for the Ravens to have more effective offense. Offensive Play CallingThe biggest issue for the offense this season has been its lack of success in the red zone. They went from the best team in the NFL in 2024, scoring a touchdown on almost 74% of their red zone trips, to the bottom of the league this year. Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken received a ton of praise for designing last year’s historic Ravens offense, but this year, his play-calling has many Ravens fans frustrated. “We’re a running team, that’s a fact. And we are a throwing team, too. We have Lamar Jackson; we have receivers; we have tight ends; we have all that – but we want to always be a team that runs the ball and stops the run. That’s been (the case) since 2008. It’s not going to really probably ever change, and that’s really what football is,” Harbaugh said.The lack of creativity in the red zone and abandoning of the running game the past couple of weeks have not cost them, as they have only lost once in the past six weeks. But, these issues need to be addressed going forward if they hope to win the AFC North Division. They are averaging 100 total yards less than last season, with some of that expected with Jackson missing four weeks.The underlying cause for all of the offensive issues stems from the poor play of the offensive line. They are not as effective running the ball, and the lack of protection for Jackson has been the biggest reason for his lack of success, especially recently. They still have a chance to take control of the division with two straight games against AFC North opponents before finishing the season on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers. If they manage to win all three of those games, that should be enough to win the division and make it to the playoffs.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. —

The loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thanksgiving marked the end of the Ravens’ 5-game winning streak but also highlighted an ongoing issue with the offense.

It all starts with quarterback Lamar Jackson, who had three consecutive games without a touchdown for the first time in his career. He has not played at his MVP-level since he suffered a hamstring injury back in Week 4. The offense has not been as effective as last year’s, when they led the league in total yards, and with few roster changes, the drop-off is hard to explain.

The obvious issue has been the health of Jackson, who has been listed in every injury report except for one, with various ailments, including a hurt ankle and toe. He is only averaging under 30 yards per game rushing, which would be the lowest of his career. He is far off his career average of just under 60 yards per game rushing, and it’s clear that the injuries have been a factor.

“It was not a precise offensive performance in any way. There was nothing precise about it. It was imprecise in every way, and we all know that. We’re all not happy with it. We’re very disappointed by it, but you can’t live in it. You have to move on and come out swinging the next time,” Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said.

The offense’s issues are not all on Jackson, but the spotlight is on the former MVP, who has set the bar high, so most of the blame will go toward him. Here is a look at what else is holding back the Ravens’ offense.

Offensive Line Issues

The most talked about storyline behind Jackson’s injury as they have struggled to protect their quarterback and open up holes for the running backs. The offensive line returned four starters from a unit that performed well last season, but has not seen the same success. The unit overall has struggled, but the inside play of both guards has gotten the most attention.

Neither Andrew Vorhees nor Daniel Faalele has played up to par this season, and third-round pick Emery Jones Jr. saw his first playing time last week after missing most of the season recovering from shoulder surgery. Jackson has been sacked 27 times this season in only nine games. He is on pace to break his record for sacks allowed of 38 set in 2021.

“There’s a step between being a starter and being an established starter, kind of, in the league – kind of what you’re talking about. And when you’re a younger player like Andrew (Vorhees) – or a lot of guys – you want to establish yourself as a starter. I think he’s in the process of doing that. He played good ball, he graded out highly, his numbers were good. Daniel (Faalele) graded out highly, too. There are plays that both of them want back,” Harbaugh said.

The lack of push from the interior offensive line has been the biggest issue for the running game, as Derrick Henry has been tackled behind the line 18 times this season, losing around 40 yards on those plays. Many of those instances happened while the Ravens were trying to score from the red zone, and one of the reasons they have the third-worst red-zone scoring percentage (46%) in the league.

Has Henry hit a wall?

After coming off one of the best seasons of his career, Henry looks like he may have hit the proverbial wall that all running backs eventually hit at the end of their careers. He is averaging the lowest amount of yards since becoming a full-time starter in 2019 and has looked a tad slower this season.

At age 31, his best days are well behind him, but his performance last season had expectations high that he could come close to that form this year. A lot of his issues come from the poor offensive line play, similar to his final season with the Tennessee Titans, when he only rushed for 68 yards per game. He is also on pace for the fewest amount of carries since being injured in 2021.

Despite the down season for him, Henry is still on pace for 1,300 yards rushing and over 13 touchdowns this season. Most teams would take that performance from a running back in decline, and it should be good enough for the Ravens to have more effective offense.

Offensive Play Calling

The biggest issue for the offense this season has been its lack of success in the red zone. They went from the best team in the NFL in 2024, scoring a touchdown on almost 74% of their red zone trips, to the bottom of the league this year. Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken received a ton of praise for designing last year’s historic Ravens offense, but this year, his play-calling has many Ravens fans frustrated.

“We’re a running team, that’s a fact. And we are a throwing team, too. We have Lamar Jackson; we have receivers; we have tight ends; we have all that – but we want to always be a team that runs the ball and stops the run. That’s been (the case) since 2008. It’s not going to really probably ever change, and that’s really what football is,” Harbaugh said.

The lack of creativity in the red zone and abandoning of the running game the past couple of weeks have not cost them, as they have only lost once in the past six weeks. But, these issues need to be addressed going forward if they hope to win the AFC North Division. They are averaging 100 total yards less than last season, with some of that expected with Jackson missing four weeks.

The underlying cause for all of the offensive issues stems from the poor play of the offensive line. They are not as effective running the ball, and the lack of protection for Jackson has been the biggest reason for his lack of success, especially recently. They still have a chance to take control of the division with two straight games against AFC North opponents before finishing the season on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers. If they manage to win all three of those games, that should be enough to win the division and make it to the playoffs.

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