Ravens Offence Gets Going Against The Raiders

The Ravens offense played their best game of the season by adding some new wrinkles. The Baltimore Ravens beat the Oakland Raiders this past Sunday 29-10. The game put the Ravens over .500 on the season with their 4-3 record. The Ravens offense seemed to come alive and the Ravens defense had another solid game. Although the Raiders defense is Ranked #26 it was still a good game for the offense. The Ravens offense tried several different formations lining up QB Joe Flacco at receiver, QB’s Troy Smith and Joe Flacco in the backfield at the same time, FB Le’ron McClain in at tight end and even lining up DT Haloti Ngata at TE. Troy Smith played this week for the first time this season, returning form an illness that sidelined him for the first 7 weeks of the season. Troy Smith was a big part in the Ravens offense this week. He was running, passing and doing all sorts of trick plays. All of this different offensive style from the Ravens caught the Raiders off guard a little especially when Flacco lined up at receiver. This game I think showed the Ravens defense that the Ravens offense can keep up with them. Hats off to Cam Cameron for shaking up the offense and trying to get them on some sort of a roll.

The Ravens started the scoring off when LB Jameal McClain sacked Jemarcus Russell for a 10-yard loss and a safety. At the end of the first quarter the Ravens led 2-0. The Ravens got the first touchdown of the game early in the second quarter set up by a 46-yard return from Jim Leonard. The touchdown was a 1-yard run by RB Willis McGahee. Later in the quarter the Ravens got their second touchdown of the game when QB Joe Flacco heaved a bomb to WR Demitrius Williams for a 70-yard touchdown. The Ravens then added a field goal to send the game into halftime at 19-0. Early in the third quarter the Raiders got their first score of the game, a 22-yard field goal. The field goal came after a 60-yard pass from QB Jemarcus Russell to WR Chaz Schilens. The Ravens answered with their own 30-yard field goal. The field goal was set up by an amazing play from Joe Flacco and Troy Smith. Flacco and Smith lined up in the backfield. Flacco got the snap and handed the ball to Troy Smith. Smith got the ball and dropped back to pass as Flacco was running a receiver route. Smith found Flacco on the left side open and they connected for 43-yard pass that put the ball at the Oakland 6 yard line. It was truly an amazing play and well drawn up by Cam Cameron. The Raiders then got their first touchdown of the game with a Jamarcus Russell 2-yard pass to Justin Griffith for the touchdown. The Ravens finished off the game scoring with a 12-yard touchdown run by QB Joe Flacco. The final score Ravens 29 Raiders 10.

It was truly a great game by the Ravens. Flacco continued his season success and was making a lot of good plays. Flacco’s final numbers were 12 of 24 for 140 yards and 1 TD. Also Flacco had 4 rushes for 23 yards with 1 TD and 1 Reception for 43 yards. Flacco was all over the field doing everything. Troy Smith had a great game after just returning from injury. Smith finished with 1 pass for 43 yards and 3 rushes for 13 yards. Hopefully Troy Smith starts getting more and more involved and the Ravens can continue to surprise people with new formations. The Ravens offensive line had a great game protecting Flacco in the pass and having good penetration for the run. This young Ravens offensive line seems to be working together and playing well. The Ravens running backs had another solid game. Ray Rice seems to be getting more involved in the offense and he was the Ravens leading rusher Sunday although he only had 8 carries. The Ravens are getting more and more confident in Rice. But this has caused a decrease in carries for Le’ron McClain. Willis McGahee is still getting 20+ carries a game. The Ravens defense played another solid game and shut down the Raiders offense. Overall the Ravens played a good game and continued their success from the past week. One quick note: Before the game, the Ravens retired LT Jonathan Ogden’s # 75 jersey.

Regular Season Schedule

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 7 Vs. Bengals W (17-10)

Week 2: Bye

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 21 Vs. Browns W (28-10)

Week 4: Monday, Sept. 29 @ Steelers L (23-20 OT)

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 5 Vs. Titans L (13-10)

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 12 @ Colts L (31-3)

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 19 @ Dolphins W (27-13)

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 26 Vs. Raiders W (29-10)

Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 2 @ Browns 1:00 p.m. CBS

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 9 @ Texans 1:00 p.m. CBS

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 16 @ Giants 1:00 p.m. CBS

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 23 Vs. Eagles 1:00 p.m. FOX

Week 13: Sunday, Nov. 30 @ Bengals 1:00 p.m. CBS

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 7 Vs. Redskins 1:00 p.m. FOX

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 14 Vs. Steelers 1:00 p.m. CBS

Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 20 @ Cowboys 8:15 p.m. NFL Network

Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 28 Vs. Jaguars 1:00 p.m. CBS

*Games subjected to change

*All times eastern

For more on this game check out the Raiders blogger Lee Trembley’s blog.

Ty

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