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Sep 26, 2023

Ravens Eye View Film Breakdown: Roquan Smith Was a 'Predator' vs. Falcons

Editorial Director The Ravens scored a 17-9 win over the Atlanta Falcons,

Editorial Director

The Ravens scored a 17-9 win over the Atlanta Falcons, punching their playoff ticket for the 2022 season.

Baltimore did it with a familiar formula: a battering running game and strong defense.

The passing attack missed some opportunities, but also improved from the previous week. The troubles in the red zone continued.

Here's a look at the film:

In a battle of two teams who entered the game ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in rushing yards per game, the Ravens made a statement on the very first play from scrimmage. Baltimore showed it can execute every run in the book, even one that the Falcons' ground game is built around, with a wide-zone stretch run for 11 yards with J.K. Dobbins that was blocked perfectly.

Ben Powers did a nice job getting inside of his block and Dobbins did well to help his left guard out by being patient and setting up the lane.

The Falcons run a lot of wide zone. First play from scrimmage, the Ravens basically say "Yeah, we can do that too." Gain of 11 yards by J.K. Dobbins. pic.twitter.com/OPCSPqXaDh

Wide receiver Sammy Watkins was signed on Tuesday and started on Saturday. His familiarity with the playbook and his quarterbacks certainly paid off, as he and Tyler Huntley executed a scramble drill for a 40-yard gain.

How did Sammy Watkins get so open on his 40-yard catch and run? Nifty little juke move on the sideline by the veteran. pic.twitter.com/WfCeXvic95

Right tackle Morgan Moses' pulling blocks were devastating against the Browns and he kept it up versus the Falcons. "His pulling has been really something. … He's just really good at it," Head Coach John Harbaugh said Monday.

Watch pulling Morgan Moses jump through this gap like he's a running back. Big man has nimble feet! pic.twitter.com/4n4SQBcIWM

Gus Edwards had his best game yet, rushing 11 times for 99 yards. Known for his downhill power, Edwards showed more than that, including excellent vision cutting back against the flow of his blockers to break a big run.

When two Falcons shoot the gaps and another blitzes off the edge, Gus Edwards hits them with the cutback backside run for 11 yards. Great vision, great run. pic.twitter.com/XgR5BUiT9h

For the second straight week, the Ravens had a field goal blocked, this time from 55 yards out.

Ravens had a field goal blocked for the second straight week. Here's what happened this time on Justin Tucker's 55-yard attempt. pic.twitter.com/ObGM0jcyqK

Once again, tight end Mark Andrews got a lot of attention from the opposing defense, yet still had a touchdown opportunity missed. He and Huntley did connect on a pretty 36-yard completion down the sideline as the Falcons weren't playing as soft in coverage as the Browns the week before and Andrews/Huntley made them pay. The Ravens showed that they're willing to take some deep shots down the field with Huntley if they get the right looks.

Next play. This time, the Ravens line Mark Andrews up outside and the Falcons have a single high safety. Mark has a 1-on-1 and burns top Falcons CB A.J. Terrell. Snoop drops it in a bucket this time for a 36-yard gain. Pretty. pic.twitter.com/pWjR7srqkZ

Snoop misses an opportunity for a touchdown to Mark Andrews, who breaks wide open in the red zone.Part of Snoop's effectiveness is he gets rid of the ball quickly. But sometimes that means missing shots that open up a hair later like this. pic.twitter.com/pks0DdSg03

With veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell sidelined by a knee injury, the Ravens' young defensive linemen stepped up to meet the challenge.

Getting grabbed and slammed like this by Travis Jones in freezing temperatures cannot feel good. Good job by the rookie DT of getting off that block to make a play. pic.twitter.com/gDyIyy1HUt

Textbook stack and shed by Broderick Washington. Literally tosses 2019 first-round pick Kaleb McGary to the ground. Young Ravens D-linemen stepped up with Calais Campbell sidelined. pic.twitter.com/yNuDFMoB1D

Justin Madubuike creates the lane and Patrick Queen zooms by Falcons LT Jake Matthews to make this goal-line stop on fourth down. pic.twitter.com/vprm06y1jU

Inside linebacker Roquan Smith said before the game that he enjoys playing in extreme cold weather (it was the coldest game in M&T Bank Stadium history) because opponents especially dislike getting hit in such conditions. "I try to become a predator then and try to get guys," Smith said.

He was certainly on the hunt against the Falcons, as Smith piled up 15 tackles.

Roquan Smith said he becomes a "predator" in cold weather games because other players really don't like getting hit. Yup. #PredatorRoquan pic.twitter.com/8T3AcQhzl3

This probably goes for a touchdown if Roquan Smith doesn't have a non-stop motor. pic.twitter.com/wBVmOtiRha

Roquan Smith (and Chuck Clark) hunting again.Safe to say Chuck really wanted that scoop and score. Ravens haven't had a defensive touchdown yet this season. They're due. 👀 pic.twitter.com/okrIyrxd5c

Of course, Smith had his running mate Patrick Queen flying around next to him as usual. Once again, Baltimore's inside linebacker duo was all over the field.

Watch how fast Patrick Queen reads this and flies to the ball carrier. pic.twitter.com/7KSvn2jeVz

The Ravens once again put the game away with their rushing attack, as they leaned on Edwards and their blockers in the fourth quarter.

This is blocked up so well that LG Ben Powers gets all the way to the third level to wall off the safety.Gus the Bus does the rest with 1, 2, 3 stiff arms to pick up an extra 30 yards. 💪🚌 pic.twitter.com/NWKujHO3pK

And they didn't put Kevin Zeitler and Tyler Linderbaum in the Pro Bowl. Tsk tsk.Sidenote: the Ravens have become very good at icing games on the ground. pic.twitter.com/5RuiTVLLs4