Mink: Even though box score shows the Ravens were 2-for-5 in the red zone in Minnesota. it was really 2-for-4 because one was at the end of the first half when they kicked a field goal on first down before the clock expired.
Still, Baltimore is 27th in the league in red zone offense, scoring a touchdown on 50% of its attempts. Last year, the Ravens led the league at 74%. The Ravens offense has room for improvement on multiple fronts, but the red zone may be at the top of the list.
Part of the problem is the Ravens have not been running the ball effectively in short-yardage situations. When you get near the goal line, you need to be able to run because the field is more condensed. Patrick Ricard's absence certainly made that harder. It's no coincidence that the Ravens have won every game since their Pro Bowl fullback returned.
The Ravens' inconsistent guard play this season has also been a factor. For example, a first-down run from Minnesota's 4-yard line was stuffed when Andrew Vorhees missed his block. But the guards aren't the only ones at fault, as was the case on an earlier key third-and-2 from the 10-yard line when multiple Vikings crashed down on Derrick Henry.
The Ravens' red zone troubles is likely why Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken dug into his bag of "tricks" Sunday. The Mark Andrews "Tush Push" toss to Lamar Jackson was a new red-zone wrinkle they had practiced for a few weeks. So was Jackson's sprint left on a later series, which set up a 2-yard touchdown pass to Andrews, which again had a creative alignment and a faked Jackson run. The Ravens also had a good play call/scheme on the two-point conversion that got Rashod Bateman wide open.
Baltimore will keep plugging away at getting better running the ball in short-yardage. They'll also continue to work on some curveballs, and Monken and his staff deserve credit for what they did in Minnesota.
"We have to keep putting our guys in the best position we can with great plays and creative things to do," Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "You have to run the ball in the red zone; that's really important, and then you have to do things right down there and find a way to get open."
Brown: I think more Keaton Mitchell is on the menu. Harbaugh placed his order during Monday's press conference, but also pointed out that Henry needs to eat, too.
"Definitely, we want to see more Keaton," Harbaugh said. "It's hard to take plays off Derrick Henry's plate. That's a challenge. I think anybody can understand that, but mixing it up is also a good thing, too, and I think all the guys understand the value of that, too.
"We are going to try to find that. It's going to be game to game, probably, but we will try to find that world where everybody's most effective."
Despite getting just four carries in each of the last three games, Mitchell has gained 85 yards during the three-game winning streak, averaging more than seven yards per run. He's instant offense, and he's clearly all the way back from his major knee injury in 2023.
It's a delicate balance, because more Mitchell means less Henry. But the Ravens sound determined to give Mitchell at least a few more touches in upcoming games.
Mink: As stated above, the Ravens' guard play has not been a strength this season. Vorhees ranks 38th and Daniel Faalele is 39th in the league among all starting guards, per Pro Football Focus.
Both players have had strong games. Faalele got high PFF marks versus the Lions in Week 3 and the Bears in Week 8. Over the past six games, Vorhees has alternated PFF grades above 75 and below 50. At times, both players have been really good, but they're both looking for more consistency.
They're both young players who the Ravens see getting better. Remember, Vorhees has made just 12 starts in his career. Faalele was always a developmental prospect who shifted from tackle to guard. They both work incredibly hard and the continuity they've built on the offensive line is beneficial.
The Ravens have clearly felt Faalele and Vorhees are the best options, and they see the other options in practice. Last week, Monken was asked if he had seen enough of rookie third-round pick Emery Jones, who missed all summer practices as he rehabbed from shoulder surgery, to suggest he could help "relatively soon."
"At some point," Monken said. "I'm excited. He has worked awfully hard to get back. From what I see, he's everything we hoped he'd be at this point."
Brown: Jones made a strong first impression against the Vikings. He played 60% of the defensive snaps, two quarterback hits, and four pressures despite having just one week of practice with Baltimore.
Several reps stood out, including when he flushed J.J. McCarthy out of the pocket and forced a hurried throw for an incompletion on third down. Jones displayed the versatility that increases his value in the Ravens' scheme. According to Pro Football Focus, Jones played 14 snaps at left outside linebacker, 13 at right outside linebacker, and 10 at left defensive end.
"He did well," Harbaugh said. "He got all his assignments right, had all the terms right, and he was versatile along the line – I think we talked about that possibility during the week – and he was a factor. Physicality and quickness, he knows how to play the game."
