As we’ve reached the quarter mark of the 2014 NFL season, the Baltimore Ravens (3-1) head on the road for the first time in three games to take on the Indianapolis Colts (2-2) at Lucas Oil Stadium. Despite injuries, suspensions, and a retooled offensive line, the Ravens' offensive unit (+26.5) has impressed, as they currently rank as the NFL’s best offensive group. Specifically, the Ravens' offensive line have stood out as they have kept Flacco upright and controlled the line of scrimmage.
The Ravens' offensive line, who have taken 159 passing play snaps (12th-most), have only given up two sacks and have generated a Pass Blocking Efficiency of 89.3, third-best in the league. Not to be outdone by Marshal Yanda (+9.9) and Kelechi Osemele (+9.9), who are ranked as the top overall guards in the league, first-year tackle Ricky Wagner and undrafted rookie James Hurst have impressed as well.
Ricky Wagner, who has taken 159 snaps on passing plays, has only given up one sack, zero quarterback hits, and has yet to be called for a penalty, something that only 13 other tackles can say. Wagner’s stellar play has earned him a Pass Blocking Efficiency of 96.5. In his first start last week, Hurst took 31 snaps on passing plays and showed he belonged, as he was able to produce a perfect Pass Blocking Efficiency rating.
The Colts may have trouble getting to Flacco on Sunday, as they have produced a pass rush grade of -7.4 (third-worst), and only one member of the Colts' front seven has a green rush grade. Also, of all the members of the Colts' front seven who have rushed the passer on at least 50% of passing snaps (with the exception of Montori Hughes who was granted a leave from the team) the only player who has recorded a Pass Rushing Productivity rating over 8.0 is Erik Walden.
With a rating of 8.8, Walden has the highest Pass Rushing Productivity rating of the Colts' front seven. Walden also has a team-high three sacks and five quarterback hits. Walden’s three sacks and five quarterback hits are tied for fourth- and second-best among all 3-4 outside linebackers.
Here are three more notable numbers for each side:
Baltimore Ravens
Justin Forsett – Forsett leads Baltimore’s running backs in snaps (163), rush grade (+3.3), and elusive rating (66.3).
Kyle Juszczyk – Juszczyk has proven that he fits in well with Gary Kubiak’s offensive scheme, as he is tied for first among all fullbacks with a receiving grade of +1.2 and is leading all fullbacks with 62 receiving yards.
Pernell McPhee – Although he may not be known outside of Baltimore, McPhee has put together an impressive season and currently has the highest Pass Rush Productivity Rating (10.6) of all linebackers and defensive ends on the team.
Indianapolis Colts
A.Q. Shipley – Shipley has played the most snaps (318) of any center and his overall rating of +4.7 is third-best among centers.
Andrew Luck – Of Luck’s league-leading 1,305 passing yards, 56.3% have come through the air, good for 10th among all quarterbacks.
Vontae Davis – Despite playing 140 snaps in coverage, Davis has only been targeted 15 times and has limited opposing quarterbacks to a rating of 22.6, second-best in the league.
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