Ravens Week 1 Snap Count Analysis

The Baltimore Ravens suffered a demoralizing overtime defeat in Las Vegas on Monday night. The Raiders outgained the Ravens 491 to 406, won time-of-possession by nearly two minutes and earned a two to one advantage in the turnover battle.

Poor blocking on the offensive line contributed to both of Lamar Jackson’s fumbles. Ronnie Stanley, Bradley Bozeman, Kevin Zeitler and Alejandro Villanueva lined up on all 68 of Baltimore’s offensive snaps. Tyre Phillips started at left guard but was carted off the field with a knee injury after 29 snaps. Ben Powers replaced Phillips, playing the final 39 snaps of the game and Patrick Mekari saw six snaps serving as the sixth lineman in heavy personnel.

The Ravens injury ravaged backfield was a bright spot. Ty’Son Williams contributed 94 all-purpose yards, including a 35-yard touchdown scamper, on 35 snaps. Recent signee Latavius Murray pitched-in with a scoring plunge among his 21 snaps and Trenton Cannon received nine snaps as the third back of the committee.

Fullback Patrick Ricard recorded two receptions on his 41 snaps. Mark Andrews had a quiet evening with just 20 yards on an 81-percent snap share. Blocking tight end Eric Tomlinson earned 19 snaps while Josh Oliver saw an end zone target on five snaps in his Ravens debut.

Starting receivers Sammy Watkins and Marquise Brown showcased their playmaking ability, combining for 165 receiving yards and a score on 56 and 47 snaps, respectively. In addition to 11 special teams snaps as the primary kick returner, Devin Duvernay served as the third receiver with a 57-percent offensive snap share. And James Proche gained some experience with seven target-less snaps.

Captain Chuck Clark relayed the call on each of the Ravens 86 defensive plays. Fellow safety DeShon Elliott missed only one play and collected seven tackles in the game. Rookie Brandon Stephens saw 25 snaps in hybrid defensive back role.

Serving as a starter in Marcus Peters and Jimmy Smith’s absences, Anthony Averett matched Marlon Humphrey’s 99-percent snap share and corralled an overtime interception. After returning from a series of injuries, slot corner Tavon Young was flagged for a pair of pass interference penalties and was ultimately out-snapped by Chris Westry 24 to 33.

Patrick Queen led the inside linebacker corps with 72 snaps, followed by Malik Harrison’s 44 and Chris Board’s 28. Veteran Justin Houston surprisingly recorded the most snaps among Ravens outside linebackers with 56. Tyus Bowser failed to make a notable impact in his 51 snaps.

Conversely, rookie first round selection Odafe Oweh had an impactful debut with a sack, tackle for loss and pair of quarterback hits on 48 snaps. Pernell McPhee also notched a sack among his 26 snaps. And Jaylon Ferguson rounded out the edge rusher rotation with ten snaps and two tackles.

Calais Campbell shouldered a 70-percent snap share for a shorthanded defensive line that missed injured end Derek Wolfe. Nose tackle Brandon Williams saw 44 snaps and was backed up by practice squad activation Justin Ellis, who had an uneventful 19 snaps. Potential breakout performer Justin Madubuike was kept off the stat sheet in 33 snaps, as was backup lineman Broderick Washington during his 21 snaps.

Core special teamers Anthony Levine, Kristian Welsh and Board paced the unit with 27 special teams snaps apiece. Geno Stone, Tylan Wallace, Westry and Stephens were also integral on special teams with at least 20 snaps each.

Baltimore will aim to improve their pass blocking and build off encouraging performances from young defenders Oweh, Westry and Stephens as they regroup in preparation for a Sunday night contest against the defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs.