Ravens had just three first-half points in week 3
Two tight-end running plays totaled just two yards for Mark Andrews in week 12. That output should be considered when justifying why the Baltimore Ravens had just three first-half points in the 23-10 win over the New York Jets last weekend. Therefore, offensive coordinator Todd Monken should get right to business against the Cincinnati Bengals and avoid anything that yields more risk than reward on this Thanksgiving holiday.
The three-and-out on the Ravens’ first drive took seven plays and totaled just 18 yards. Sure, Monken might have been able to waste seven plays against a struggling Jets offense, but versus the Bengals, he’d better have more meaningful snaps to prevent the opposing offense from catching rhythm. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is returning from injury, expected to start, and with wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in the lineup, it’s safe to assume that three first-half points won’t be enough to outlast the enemy in week 13.
Andrews can be an asset to Monken’s plan, however, on Thanksgiving. New England Patriots tight-end Hunter Henry scorched the Bengals’ defense for seven catches and 115 yards this past Sunday, so Monken should let Andrews and teammate Isaiah Likely create more havoc for the Bengals on the holiday. Quarterback Lamar Jackson hasn’t been his remarkable self lately, and while some blame it on injury, a deeper look suggests that the play-calling has been rather impractical. Tonight, Monken can change his approach and begin transitioning his mastermind into an outlook appropriate for post-season play. That means keeping those intricate trick plays, hyper-motion, and extravaganza signals for another time. Monken should ride the strength of running back Derrick Henry and feed his tight ends in the passing game as much as possible to coast to victory on primetime television.
