Instead of focusing on what could go wrong this season, the Ravens' offensive line has worked hard to make things right.
Patrick Mekari has been an every-down player at left guard, showing the durability to handle starter's reps for an entire season. Daniel Faalele has started every game at right guard, despite never playing the position regularly before this season. Roger Rosengarten is a rookie right tackle who looks like a seasoned veteran.
With left tackle Ronnie Stanley and center Tyler Linderbaum returning to anchor the new additions to the starting front five, Baltimore's offense has remained one of NFL's most lethal. The Ravens are ranked No. 1 in total offense and No. 2 in rushing heading into Saturday's regular-season finale against the Cleveland Browns.
Lamar Jackson is having his best season and Derrick Henry has rushed for 1,783 yards behind an offensive line that has allowed them to thrive. During Baltimore's current three-game winning streak, the line has opened gaping holes for Henry, who has rushed for 309 yards in his last two games.
The passing of beloved Offensive Line Coach Joe D’Alessandris in August made this an emotional year for the offensive line group, regardless of how the season played out. However, the players have responded to Offensive Line Coach George Warhop, who took over in a difficult situation, and Linderbaum believes D'Alessandris would love how the unit has gelled.
"I'm very proud," Linderbaum said. "It's a good group, a fun group, and then just all of the things that we went through in the preseason. Losing Joe D. certainly hasn't been easy, but I think he'd be very proud of us. The way we play, the way we play the game and the way we approach the game, I think, is something he'd be proud of."
Jackson's blindside has been secured by Stanley’s return to top form as one of the NFL's most consistent left tackles. In addition to raising his game, Stanley has shown a willingness to work with other linemen after practice, embracing his role as the veteran leader of the group.
"I think Ronnie approaches each week with fresh eyes," Warhop said during the bye week. "I think he has a plan going into the game. On the sidelines, he's very intuitive – great communication and talks about what's going on and talks to the other guys. I think he's in his ninth year – we don't give him veteran days. He practices all the time. I think that's a huge part of how he's playing."
Rosengarten has displayed resiliency from Week 1, when he was beaten for a sack by Chris Jones on his first snap. That was a welcome-to-the-NFL moment for the rookie, but he has made himself right at home ever since, showing he can hold his own top defensive players like T.J. Watt.
Rosengarten credits his linemates for helping him and believes their best play is yet to come.
"From the start of this season to the last regular season, I think we've gelled so much," Rosengarten said. "With everything that happened in the preseason, getting a new O-line coach, having to adjust quickly to things. Going on a winning streak these last couple of weeks after the bye, I feel like we've come together so much. We just want to keep it rolling into the postseason."
Faalele's first year at guard, after playing tackle during college and his first two seasons with Baltimore, has been a huge adjustment for the NFL's biggest player at his position (6-foot-8, 380 pounds). There have been ups and downs, but Faalele has been more consistent as the year has progressed. He enjoyed an outstanding game against the New York Giants in Week 15, when he was the team's fourth-highest graded player, according to Pro Football Focus.
"Every week he gets a little bit better," Warhop said. "He's a big, physical dude. What truly is impressive is his pass protection. What's really impressive is to watch him change direction in short area and get his hands on guys. That's still a work in progress – his hands. But the way he moves laterally, and the things he can do in pass protection, I think is pretty impressive, so I'm excited about him and his future."
Heading into the Week 15 bye and coming off a loss to the Eagles, people questioned if the Ravens should shake things up in the trenches, but Baltimore stuck with its group, and it has paid off.
This week, the Ravens will focus on preventing Browns defensive star Myles Garrett from making game-changing plays. He enters Week 18 tied with Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals for the NFL lead in sacks (14), but Garrett didn't have a sack against the Ravens in Week 8, nor did Hendrickson have a sack against the Ravens in two games this season.
There have been plenty of tests for Baltimore's offensive line this season, and the playoffs will serve as the final examination. Linderbaum has watched the unit grow all season, and believes the best is yet to come.
"Whether it's in walkthroughs, practice, we're trying to make each other better and pushing each other to be at our best," Linderbaum said. "Of course, once we get to that postseason, you want to be hitting on all cylinders."
