The Baltimore Ravens ranked No. 1 in rush yards per game all season long. Yet, offensive coordinator Todd Monken opted for 37 pass plays in the AFC Championship.
J. REID WRAPS HIM UP‼️ pic.twitter.com/1AqRMK69Vo
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 28, 2024
If Monken thought Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo wouldn’t blitz his generic shotgun attack, think again. Quarterback Lamar Jackson struggled versus the Chiefs’ blitz all afternoon being sacked four times. Yet, instead of opting to run the ball to gain tempo, Monken insisted on reaching for home-run plays through the air.
Baltimore loss the time of possession stat 37:20 to 22:30, meaning, Monken basically left the Ravens’ defense out to rot.
Hype us up, Trav‼️#EasyToCelebrate | @BudLight pic.twitter.com/WLVSfNDO9u
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 28, 2024
Fueled by frustration, and endless trash talk from Chiefs tight-end Travis Kelce, linebacker Roquan Smith and the Ravens’ defense rendered some penalties. Still, Smith and the Ravens’ defense held the Chiefs to just 17 total points and a 2nd-half shutout through 73 plays (incredible).
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Considering that this was Monken’s first-season making it this far in the NFL Playoffs, grace will be extended on his behalf. Hopefully he uses this experience as a compel to data-dump his ideals and call the plays that actually fit into the teams personnel.
