I didn’t expect the Ravens passing attack to crumble

“We expect to have three 1,000 yard [receivers] if we can.” — Mike Wallace, training camp, 2017

A quote, long gone from July 30, 2017. Back at the time, the team looked sharp. While they faced the Ravens star defense, and Joe Flacco was out for camp, Wallace and Maclin both looked to shape this team into a scoring squad. An actual #1 receiver with Joe, combined with Wallace’s speed and skill meant an actual passing attack. Combine that with Perriman’s potential, and the Ravens were on pace for, at least, a good season.

Now, eleven games into the 2017 campaign, the trio of Mike Wallace, Jeremy Maclin and Breshad Perriman combine for only 775 yards. Wallace leads the pack with 371 yards, followed closely by Maclin at 350. Perriman still has not put it together, with only 54 yards on seven catches. In fact, Joe isn’t even on pace for 3,000 yards, let alone three 1000-yard receivers.

It’s lost, now, on who’s fault it is. Are the receivers not getting separation? Is Joe Flacco incapable of delivering the football? Is the scheme not set up for success? At times, you may point to one, but it’s a full fault across the board.

Joe Flacco is currently on pace for his worst yards per attempt, a staggering 4.4. His worst season, prior to this, was last year, at 6.0, according to pro-football-reference. Nothing summarizes this better than the 3rd & 13 play in which Flacco tossed a dump to Ben Watson, for a two-yard gain.

The offense is dead in the water, and there’s no coast guard coming to save the team. Joe Flacco regressed, and the receivers aren’t suddenly going to break loose. It’s crazy to be writing such negativity after a win in primetime, but turning a blind-eye to the problems due to the success of the punter, kicker and defense isn’t going to change anything. Then again, this article won’t either.