The Ravens have gone seven straight games without scoring on their opening drive.
It's a puzzle that Baltimore's offense is working to solve. Starting fast wasn't an issue early in the season, when the Ravens scored on the opening drive in their first five games – four touchdowns and a field goal.
However, things turned sour Week 6 against the Commanders, when Lamar Jackson was intercepted on the first drive. Since then, they've opened with a punt in Week 7 (Tampa Bay), a turnover on downs Week 8 (Browns), punts in Weeks 9 and 10 (Broncos & Bengals), a fumble in Week 11 (Steelers), and a punt in Week 12 (Chargers).
Jackson said the Ravens need to do a better job avoiding negative plays, including penalties, on their opening drives.
"Just staying on schedule," Jackson said. "The first pass [Monday night] was like a 15-yard gain, then they called it back for a penalty called on Pat (Ricard). We've just to stay on schedule, that's our biggest thing."
Starting fast and taking an early lead would be one way to neutralize Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley, who leads the NFL in rushing. Barkley had a season-low 10 carries (84 yards) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who jumped to a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter and forced Philadelphia to abandon the run.
Baltimore would love to follow suit, but it will only happen if the offense clicks early.
"We have to get back in the groove of starting our games off the correct way, and then just as the game is going on, getting stronger and stronger and finishing how we're supposed to," Jackson said. "At the beginning of the season, we were doing a great job at that, and then as the season went on. … Someway, somehow, we've just been horrible starting the game. We have to find a way to balance that out – be good from the beginning of the game until the end."
Blocking 'Amazing' Jalen Carter Will Be Tough Assignment for Ravens
According to Next Gen Stats, Eagles star defensive lineman Jalen Carter was double-teamed on the vast majority of plays Sunday night against the Los Angeles Rams, yet he still dominated.
The relentless ability of Carter and Jordan Davis to bring pressure up the middle is a major reason why the Eagles (9-2) have won seven straight games. Jackson has been impressed watching the Eagles on film this week.
"Jalen Carter is amazing," Jackson said. "Those guys up front are doing an amazing job getting after the quarterback, causing disruption in the backfield. Explosive defense. That's what I'm seeing, great corners, all around defense, safeties pretty smooth."
Carter has impressive stamina for a defensive lineman, rarely coming off the field despite the demands of the position.
Blocking Carter isn't a one-man job, but no matter how they do it, the Ravens feel they have to keep Philadelphia's defensive line from imposing its will.
"They're big, they're strong, they're fast," left guard Patrick Mekari said. "We've got a lot on our plate this week. There's a lot of work that still needs to be done with our line. We're definitely playing together as a unit, holding each other accountable, but there's room to grow. We're focusing on the small details and seeing where we can take it."
Ravens Have Been Studying Philadelphia's 'Tush Push'
No team has been more effective using the "tush push" in short-yardage situations than the Eagles. Quarterback Jalen Hurts uses his powerful leg drive to move forward on quarterback sneaks, burrowing behind a strong offensive line while being assisted by a shove from teammates.
The Ravens will be looking for it on Sunday, but knowing the tush push is coming is far easier than stopping it.
"It's hard to practice it, obviously, because what are you going to do?" Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "It's a very unique play; I think they've mastered it, obviously. We ran one this last week [with Mark Andrews] in a similar type of deal, but they've been doing it for a long time now and they just continue to do it well.
"I think maybe you thought that [Jason] Kelce was not going to be in there anymore, and maybe it was going to change, and it hasn't changed. Jalen does a great job, their offensive line is a big physical offensive line [that] comes off the ball. The right guard [Mekhi Becton], he's a big physical guy and the center [Cam Jurgens] does a great job. We work on that, we've studied it, we have a plan, we'll do our best against it, and we'll see what happens."
Derrick Henry Doesn't Care About Khalil Mack's Comments
Losing to the Ravens and giving up 140 yards rushing to Derrick Henry didn't keep Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack from trash talking after the game.
Mack said he saw nothing special about competing against Henry.
"That's the thing, man. I don't think it's hard to play against that guy, and hopefully we see this team again. That's all," Mack said.
Asked about those comments Wednesday, Henry was brief and blunt.
"I don't care. That (expletive) don't matter. We won," Henry said.
