The Ravens helped their playoff chances Sunday with a key win over the Jacksonville Jaguars at M&T Bank Stadium.
Let's look back at the game film to show what you might have missed at first glance during the 20-12 victory.
All of these plays were viewed using NFL Game Rewind, which is available for fans to purchase. (To view images and videos, mobile users tap the "View in browser" button at the top of the page.)
CB Melvin Shined In Debut
Rashaan Melvin capitalized on his opportunity in the first game of his NFL career. He took over at corner when starter Asa Jackson went down with a knee injury in the third quarter, and he immediately made an impact. He made three tackles on his first three plays and then nearly came up with an interception on his fourth play. The Ravens also showed confidence in Melvin's understanding of the defensive system, as they sent him on a blitz on his third play from scrimmage. Melvin ended up tackling running back Storm Johnson 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage, and outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw also deserves credit for setting the edge to keep Johnson from getting outside for a big gain.
Run Game Set Up Daniels Touchdown
The running game had a quiet afternoon Sunday, picking up just 93 total yards on the ground. But the Ravens still have one of the best rushing offenses in the NFL, and the Jaguars clearly gave it respect. The attention on the ground game set up Baltimore's only touchdown – a 3-yard strike to tight end Owen Daniels. The linebackers and defensive end all went after running back Bernard Pierce on the play-action fake, leaving Daniels wide open in the back of the end zone. When Daniels caught the pass, he didn't have anyone within 10* *yards of him.
NT Williams Tough To Block 1-on-1
Nose tackle Brandon Williams has needed to step up recently with Pro Bowler Haloti Ngata suspended for four games, and the second-year defensive lineman showed on several occasions against Jacksonville just how powerful he is up the middle. Williams was tough to block in one-on-one situations, and on both of the plays below he just ran through the offensive linemen. Williams has quietly had a very strong season in his first year as a starter.
Blocking Suggs Takes More Than This
Terrell Suggs is known as one of the best outside linebackers in the NFL, and he's having another strong season with 11 sacks on the year. He had 2.5 sacks against Jacksonville, as the Jaguars struggled to come up with ways to stop him. The flailing effort at Suggs' legs by last year's No. 2 overall draft pick Luke Joeckel (first video) did little to stop Suggs on his way to quarterback Blake Bortles for his first sack of the game. Suggs also showed off his knack of understanding the mental side of the game in the second video, as he perfectly timed this snap count to run untouched by three players to get to the quarter.
Osemele Is Ruthless
Most offensive linemen typically have a mean streak to them on the football field, and left guard Kelechi Osemele certainly fits the bill. He's a mauler who can overpower defensive linemen and linebackers, and that's exactly what he did on this play. Osemele pushes rookie linebacker Telvin Smith 7 yards off the line of scrimmage and clearly plays to the final whistle on this fourth-down carry by running back Justin Forsett.
