PFF: Ravens QB Joe Flacco places third, CB Marlon Humphrey dominates in Jimmy Smith’s absence

We all watched the Ravens outperform the Bills for 60 minutes, but now we get PFF’s grade to agree with our personal assessment.

OFFENSE

Joe Flacco had a strong start to the 2018 season, ranking third among QBs in Week 1 with a 86.8 game grade. Flacco posted an adjusted completion percentage of 90.6, the highest in the league, and fared well under pressure, completing four of five attempts for 44 yards.

“Veni, vedi, vici,” — Joe Flacco, probably

The Ravens’ new-look receiving corps had a mixed afternoon despite the blowout score. WRs Michael Crabtree, John Brown and Willie Snead IV each got on the scoresheet, and rookie TE Mark Andrews rated the highest at 74.4. Crabtree and TE Nick Boyle both dropped two passes apiece however.

I don’t like the drops. I mentioned this in my last post, but failed plays hurt. A terribly rainy day excuses them.

DEFENSE

The Ravens’ secondary proved that they can live without Jimmy Smith during his suspension, allowing only 98 passing yards in total and notching two interceptions and five pass breakups. Second year CB Marlon Humphrey shone the brightest, giving up only two-of-six passes thrown into his coverage for six yards and two pass breakups.

They played a lesser opponent and not only kept them locked down, they kept their offense from a first down for a full half and under 100 passing yards over the entire game. Marlon played side-by-side with his opposition.

DI Michael Pierce was the star performer on the front seven. He recorded one hit and four hurries, ranking him fourth in pass rushing productivity among interior defenders in the league in Week 1.

We’ve all praised Terrell Suggs, Za’Darius Smith, Tavon Young and Tim Williams for their pass rush tallies, but Pierce caused an incredible amount of disruption. These are the men in the trenches with the dirty, unheralded work.