The Ravens knew exactly what kind of battle they were stepping into when they faced the Philadelphia Eagles, and the stakes couldn’t have been higher. HBO’s “Hard Knocks” cameras caught defensive coordinator Zach Orr hyping up the team with a straightforward message: they needed to “bully the bullies” if they wanted to take down a team built to dominate the trenches. The sentiment wasn’t limited to the defense; it rippled through the entire facility. The Eagles’ reputation for trench warfare demanded the Ravens match their intensity in what would surely be an alley fight.
But let’s not sugarcoat it—the Ravens fell short, especially along their offensive line. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), the unit allowed a staggering 19 pressures on just 46 pass-blocking snaps. Eagles’ defensive tackles Jalen Carter and Milton Williams wreaked havoc, combining for 17 pressures. Not every pressure could be pinned on individual offensive linemen, but the collective performance left quarterback Lamar Jackson scrambling. For a team that had boasted the league’s most efficient offense, the inability to score a touchdown for eight straight drives in a 24-19 loss was a glaring red flag.
This tough outing brought back a nagging question that’s shadowed the Ravens all season: Can their retooled offensive line hold its own against elite competition, especially with the postseason looming? Despite the setbacks, it’s worth noting that the unit had been a bright spot for much of the season, stabilizing after some early turbulence. A reshuffled lineup that included rookie Roger Rosengarten stepping up at right tackle and Patrick Mekari sliding to left guard had worked wonders. Daniel Faalele overcame initial struggles to hold his ground at right guard, while Tyler Linderbaum shone at center, as expected of a Pro Bowl-caliber player. Ronnie Stanley, in great health, had rediscovered his dominant form at left tackle.
The team’s gamble on youth during the offseason—letting go of veterans Morgan Moses and Kevin Zeitler—looked to be paying off. General manager Eric DeCosta and coach John Harbaugh took a calculated risk, and for most of the year, it seemed they’d struck gold. Harbaugh’s confidence in the line remained steadfast even after the Philadelphia game. “I think we’re pretty well set there,” he remarked. “I don’t think it merits any drastic changes right now. We could have played better, especially in pass protection, but that’s a tough front. The guys know they can improve.”
That said, the game left plenty of fans and analysts calling for changes. Patrick Mekari had his roughest outing of the season, surrendering nine pressures and earning a dismal 11.3 pass-blocking grade from PFF. The performance was particularly glaring against a defensive front as formidable as Philadelphia’s. Daniel Faalele, though graded better in pass protection, faced criticism when a clip of him missing a run block on Eagles linebacker Zach Baun circulated online. The result? A blown play that left Derrick Henry on the ground. The sequence underscored Faalele’s challenges in dealing with quicker defenders, especially in open space.
But Ravens coaches have stood firmly behind Faalele’s development. Let’s not forget—this 6-foot-8, 380-pound behemoth had minimal experience at guard before this year. Offensive line coach George Warhop sees tremendous upside. “What’s impressive is his ability to change direction in short areas and get his hands on guys,” Warhop explained. “It’s still a work in progress, especially with his hand placement, but what he can do laterally in pass protection is really promising. I’m excited about his future.”
Addressing Faalele’s struggles as a run blocker, Warhop added, “It’s not always about size. Sometimes it’s hard for a big man to uncoil his hips, especially when defenders are right on top of him. The issue often comes down to foot placement. If you’re crowding the line, it’s tough to generate the power you need to make those impactful blocks.”
Mekari, meanwhile, has faced his own challenges in adapting to a new role. In his sixth season, he’s seen plenty of snaps across the line, but this year marked his first as a full-time starter at guard—a position he’d played the least before 2023. Until the Eagles game, his biggest flaw was penalties. He leads the offensive line with 13, two more than Ronnie Stanley. While the penalties have been frustrating, Harbaugh isn’t worried about Mekari’s ability to handle the workload. “He’s been versatile for us in the past, and I think he’s just adjusting to the demands of starting every week,” Harbaugh said.
The Ravens’ struggles against Philadelphia highlighted some underlying vulnerabilities, but they also showcased the grit and determination of a young offensive line that’s still finding its identity. These growing pains are inevitable for a group that underwent a significant transition during the offseason. Players like Vorhees and Ben Cleveland remain on the sidelines, waiting for opportunities to contribute. While Vorhees didn’t impress early in the season, Cleveland is entering his fourth year with the Ravens, still looking to make an impact.
Despite the setbacks, the Ravens remain optimistic about the group’s potential. The Philadelphia game was a litmus test against one of the league’s best defensive lines, and while it exposed weaknesses, it also provided valuable lessons. The road ahead isn’t easy, but the Ravens have the pieces in place to shore up their offensive line and stay competitive.
The key takeaway? This is a team that thrives on resilience. The Ravens’ offensive line, though bruised, is far from broken. With Harbaugh and his coaching staff showing unwavering confidence, the unit has every reason to believe it can rise to the occasion when it matters most. And if they can channel the lessons from tough games like this one, they might just be the force that propels the Ravens deep into the playoffs.
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