Much like last season, the Baltimore Ravens‘ biggest weakness this year is pass defense. They currently rank 26th in passing yards allowed (3,511) and yards allowed per game (233.4). The Ravens’ rankings in the other primary pass defense statistical categories are at least mid and sometimes decent.
Still, a very formidable opponent has come to town in New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. He leads the league in completion percentage at 70.9%, with no one else even in the 70s on this metric.
He’s also fifth in passing yards and sixth in passing yards per game. He’s thrown 23 touchdown passes against only seven interceptions.
By the way, if you haven’t seen or heard actor/comedian Keegan-Michael Key do the NFL version of his ‘Key & Peele’ sketch, “Mr. Garvey Substitute Teacher,” then view this clip from the Rich Eisen show. Once you see it, you’ll pronounce Drake Maye in your head as “D-Rackay Mah-Ye.”
So what’s the key to stopping to Maye on Sunday night?
Pressuring him, early and often, so that he gets rattled and won’t be able to run the offense, with surgical precision, as he usually does.
The Ravens do not have any statistically prolific individual pass rushers. The sacks are by committee, as only one player ranks in the league’s top 40: pass rusher Dre’Mont Jones, who has 6.5 and ranks 37th. And some of those sacks were with Tennessee, who sent him over in early November.
Second on the club in sacks is Mike Green, who has 3.5, despite his status as the second-string will linebacker. The second-round pick has established himself as a specialist on passing downs during his rookie season. And this prime-time affair provides him an opportunity to showcase his skill set.
He’ll need to “bring it” Sunday night, as will Jones, and everybody else whose job it is to hit the opposing quarterback. New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels doesn’t have a primary opposing pass-rusher to scheme against. He’ll have to game plan against everybody, and perhaps, maybe, this could provide a schematic advantage for the Ravens.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens pass rush needs to bring the heat to Patriots QB Drake Maye