Defensive Notes vs. Redskins 12/9/12

As is frequently the case in a close game, the Ravens had a number of 4th-quarter plays which would have greatly increased their chance to win the game if not sealed it. Let’s review:

(Q4, 4:47): Upshaw forced the fumble on the kickoff with the Ravens up 28-20. Reed was ruled to recover and the play was reversed on some of the flimsiest evidence I have ever seen. If that could be overturned, then the Ravens should have been granted a reversal on the Patriots game-winning TD in Baltimore during their perfect regular season.

(Q4, 3:47): On 3rd and 6, Griffin completed a pass to Hankerson for 6 yards. Had the pass been incomplete, the Skins would have punted.

(Q4, 1:42): Cousins entered for Griffin and threw for Garcon. Chris Johnson was flagged for interference and the Redskins converted another 3rd and 6. By this point, the punt option was gone, but the Ravens would have had a shot to stop the Skins on 4th down.

(Q4, 1:37): Cousins completed a 5-yard crossing pattern to Moss who added 10 YAC. Paulson’s block on Ayanbadejo allowed Moss to get to the sideline.

(Q4, 0:45): On 2nd and 20 following intentional grounding by Griffin, Cousins reentered to throw to a wide open Hankerson in the middle of the zone for 15 yards.

(Q4, 0:36): Johnson got inside position on Garcon at the 5-yard line, but took a step towards Moss and Garcon immediately backpedaled and raised his arm for the football. Cousins got the ball over Johnson and into an enormous window to the waiting Garcon to pull the Redskins within 2.

(Q4, 0:29): On the critical 2-point conversion the Ravens lined up in press coverage with all 4 receivers wide (2 to each side). Reed and Pollard each took a side leaving the Ravens just 5 defenders between the tackles. Cousins dropped back and Ngata had good push on Montgomery as Cousins broke past him for the uncontested conversion. Lichtensteiger also had a good block on Bynes.

(OT, 13:52): The Ravens appeared to have gained a field-position advantage with a booming punt from Koch down the right sideline, but despite the favorable location, the Ravens were unable to contain Crawford and the Redskins did not have a flag on the 64-yard return.
The Redskins out-snapped the Ravens 66 to 57 (excluding Flacco’s kneel). As a result, the tired and depleted defense was unable to seal the deal. That’s now 8 times in 9 games that the Ravens have been out-snapped.

Overall:

Versus the Run: 35 plays, 172 yards, 4.9 YPC
Versus the Pass: 31 plays, 248 yards, 8.0 YPP
Overall: 66 plays, 420 yards, 6.4 YPPA

By number of defensive backs:

3 DBs: 2/-2, -1.0 YPPA. These both were 1st and goal from the 1.
4 DBs: 33/232, 7.0 YPPA, 2 sack, 2 TO
5 DBs: 28/185, 6.6 YPPA, 1 sack
6 DBs: 3/5, 1.7 YPPA

By number of pass rushers:

3 or fewer: 1/4, 4.0 YPP
4: 22/149, 6.8 YPP, 3 sacks
5: 6/66, 11.0 YPP
6: 2/29, 14.5 YPP
7: None

For Individual Notes Click HERE