James Atama
As the Ravens head to Buffalo for the playoffs, the team’s confidence in its weatherproof offense is unwavering. With quarterback Lamar Jackson and the latest addition, running back Derrick Henry, Baltimore’s offense—ranked No. 1 in the NFL—is poised for success regardless of the chill.
Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken has introduced a new dynamic to the playbook, incorporating Derrick Henry into Wildcat formations and utilizing Jackson’s speed in motion to keep defenses guessing. All-Pro fullback Patrick Ricard emphasized the adaptability of the offense, stating, “This is the best combination of running and passing team that I’ve ever been on. The stats show it. Then you have Monken with his schemes, how he uses motion and shifts to create advantages. Our offensive line is moving guys off the ball. We can do a little bit of everything.”
Baltimore overwhelmed the Bills in their previous matchup, winning 35-10, but Buffalo will have key defensive players back, like linebackers Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard, which could change the dynamics. Bills head coach Sean McDermott acknowledged the uniqueness of the Ravens’ offense, noting, “This is a unique offense in terms of their production and how explosive they are. It’s a great combination unlike any I’ve seen with Lamar and Derrick Henry.”
Looking back, the Ravens achieved a remarkable 299 rushing yards against the Steelers in their Wild-Card game, with Jackson’s rushing attempts nearly matching his passes. Monken reflected on the importance of the run game, emphasizing, “You can’t control the game if you can’t run it… Our game planning has gone in knowing that it’s going to be cold, knowing that there’s going to be a chance for snow or wind.”
Since their last meeting with the Bills, Jackson and Henry have improved their chemistry in read-option plays, enhancing their ability to exploit defenses. Meanwhile, Henry has been in excellent form, averaging 158.3 yards in his last four games.
While Jackson’s only playoff outing in Buffalo ended disappointing, Ricard expressed optimism about their current team, saying, “That team could run it, but the receiver room we have now is just so much better… But we’re a completely different team now. The vibes are different.”
Zay Flowers’ potential absence due to injury is a concern, but Monken remains confident, explaining, “Hopefully Zay will be able to go, but if not, we’ve got a lot of really good players. We anticipate them playing well… We’re excited to get after it Sunday night.”
