Here’s how the Ravens graded at each position by a 28-27 loss to the Jaguars in Sunday’s Week 12 game at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida.
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson’s consistency was as a running back. His passing game is unpredictable. He overthrew potential touchdown passes to Demarcus Robinson and Josh Oliver, and his slow start in the first half was a major reason the Ravens had to settle for three field goals instead of scoring touchdowns. Jackson ran for 89 yards on 14 carries, and the 62-yard pass to DeSean Jackson late in the game was a beauty. Grade: C+
Run back
I understand the Ravens are trying to elevate Jackson’s game heading into the postseason, but their running game needs to be more consistent. Gus Edwards had 52 yards on 16 carries, but surprisingly disappeared at times, especially in short-yardage situations. The Ravens didn’t get much from backups Kenyan Drake or Justice Hill, either, but linebacker Patrick Ricard had an outstanding block in the game after battling the Panthers. Edwards’ fumble in the fourth quarter was costly, and that’s an area where coach John Harbaugh has little patience. Grade: C-
Offensive line
This group is stuck in limbo like the rest of the offense. The run blocking and pass protection have been spotty and these guys can’t find a rhythm. Their forte should be run blocking. They are solid in the middle with guards Ben Powers and Kevin Zeitler, and Morgan Moses pulls well for a tackle. Rookie center Tyler Linderbaum has played well, but he’ll struggle because he carries a lot. Grade: C
receptors
Last week, the Ravens dropped six passes by my count, but I stopped during Sunday’s game because I forgot my calculator. Some of these weren’t hard catches. Jackson is comfortable in a two-point-tight end look, and the Ravens may need to use him more as a base with Mark Andrews, who caught four passes for 50 yards, and Josh Oliver, who added four catches for 76 yards and a touchdown. Short of receiving DeSean Jackson late in the game, it’s going to be hard to build a passing offense with receivers who can’t catch. Grade: D+
Defensive line
This group played well for most of the game, even in crunch time. Backup tackle Broderick Washington doesn’t get much publicity, but he had five tackles, including a sack. Tight end Calais Campbell had three tackles and a sack and combined with tight end Justin Madubuike to help the Ravens hold Jacksonville to 38 yards on 20 carries. They moved quarterback Trevor Lawrence around a lot in the first and third quarters, but the Jaguars started getting rid of the ball more quickly in the fourth. Grade: B+
Linebackers
Middle linebacker Roquan Smith led the Ravens in tackles with eight and fellow linebacker Patrick Queen had six, but they missed a lot of tackles in the open field, especially after short receptions. Queen’s has played well in the last two games, but struggled on Sunday. Outside linebacker Tyus Bowser had three tackles, including a sack, and was a consistent force rushing the passer. He also held the edge well against the run game. Grade: C+
Secondary
It was only a matter of time before the weaknesses in the Ravens secondary were exposed, especially at cornerback. Opposing teams have noticed and targeted Marcus Peters since the loss to the Dolphins in Week 2, and Brandon Stephens is slow, stiff and better suited at safety. Starting cornerback Marlon Humphrey played well in the slot, off the edge and close to the line of scrimmage, finishing with six tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss. Safety Marcus Williams, who is nearing a return after dislocating his wrist in Week 5, will help him once he’s back in shape, but he’s not playing cornerback. Note: D
Special teams
Justin Tucker converted on four of five field goals, including one from 55 yards, but his 67-yard attempt as time expired was a few yards, albeit right up the middle. The Ravens should have converted some of those field goals into touchdowns, which seems to be a weekly problem. They should also give Devin Duvernay the green light to take kickoffs or punt returns because the offense is so erratic. Grade A-
Coaching
Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald will take a lot of the blame for Jacksonville’s game-winning touchdown and 2-point conversion, but aside from Humphrey, the Ravens have no quality cornerbacks. Offensively, they were inconsistent in the red zone. Also, Harbaugh’s terrible first-half decision to go for it (and fail) on a fourth-and-1 at midfield early in the second quarter ultimately led to a touchdown at Jacksonville. Grade: C
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