Fansided

10 biggest surprise NFL teams thus far on the season

By Andrew Garda

Sep 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) gets away from a Cleveland Browns defender during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) gets away from a Cleveland Browns defender during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 28, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Marc Trestman walks off the field after the OTA at the Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Marc Trestman walks off the field after the OTA at the Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

Baltimore Ravens: 0-2

Man, do they miss Torrey Smith.

There are a lot of issues on offense, but it’s hard not to think that lacking a vertical threat might be the biggest issue the Baltimore Ravens have on offense. Because now that they lack a guy like Smith, defenses can bring one or even two safeties into the box to shut down Justin Forsett.

Forsett himself was going to be hard-pressed to meet last season’s career milestones to begin with, but he’s got no chance at even sniffing them if he is facing eight men in a box. He’s pretty good, but not that good.

He’s also not getting help from the offensive line, and neither is quarterback Joe Flacco. While Flacco isn’t getting sacked often, he’s under pressure a fair bit and that is absolutely messing with the timing of the offense.

It’s also a new offensive coordinator (Marc Trestman) in an old offensive coordinator’s (Gary Kubiak) offense. That was, to me, an odd decision in some ways and another reason this offense is flailing. We know players can struggle to adjust to a new scheme – so too can coaches it seems.

And that could be worse because you can replace one or two players if they mess up repeatedly. It’s a much bigger problem if the guy calling the plays is a mess.

Defensively, the Ravens are missing Terrell Suggs and badly. Losing T-Sizzle to an Achilles injury (which put him on injured reserve) creates a massive hole at outside linebacker which it is unfair to ask rookie Za’Darius Smith to fill. Overall, the linebacking corps is playing below par right now, and that’s hurting the defensive effort. Again though, Suggs’ injury is probably the biggest issue.

The Ravens can turn it around but the challenge is two-fold. They need to somehow get the defense to perform better and buy Trestman the time to get his act together running the offense, while also getting the offense to help the defense out by staying on the field for longer drives.

Difficult? Perhaps, but they have no real choice.

Next: Tennessee Titans: 1-1

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