Shannon Sharpe Questions Ravens’ Play Calling in Loss to Browns

Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe has publicly questioned the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive strategy in their Week 8 loss to the Cleveland Browns. The Ravens, known for their dominant rushing attack, surprisingly favored passing plays in the 29-24 defeat.

The Ravens entered the game with a five-game winning streak but faltered against the Browns at Huntington Bank Field. Sharpe, now an analyst, pointed to a significant discrepancy in the Ravens’ play calling as a key factor in the loss.

Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns pressures Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens during the third quarter.Myles Garrett pressures Lamar Jackson in the Ravens’ Week 8 loss to the Browns.

Sharpe’s Critique: Too Much Passing, Not Enough Running

Sharpe expressed his confusion over the Ravens’ decision to abandon their successful run-heavy approach. With a dynamic quarterback like Lamar Jackson and arguably the best running back of his generation in Derrick Henry, the Ravens boast a formidable ground game. Yet, against the Browns, they opted for a pass-heavy offense.

“You only had 21 rushing attempts, you only gave the ball to Derrick Henry 11 times,” Sharpe stated on his show, “Nightcap.” He highlighted the stark contrast: 38 passing attempts for Jackson compared to just 11 carries for Henry.

Sharpe emphasized Henry’s effectiveness, averaging 6.7 yards per carry for a total of 73 yards. He referenced a previous game against the Cincinnati Bengals where Henry’s two overtime carries sealed the victory, illustrating the power of leaning on the run game. “Remember the game against Cincinnati when they gave him the ball twice in overtime and he took them to the promised land?” Sharpe questioned.

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Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns.Derrick Henry carrying the ball against the Browns.

Sharpe drew a parallel to successful fast-food chains: “If you notice, KFC doesn’t change their recipe, Popeyes doesn’t change their recipe. Why? Because it works.” He argued that the Ravens deviated from the winning formula that propelled their five-game winning streak: a strong commitment to the run.

Ravens’ Super Bowl Potential Hinges on Game Plan

Despite the loss to the Browns, the Ravens maintain a 5-3 record and remain contenders in the AFC North. However, Sharpe’s critique raises concerns about their strategic approach. The team has exhibited a pattern of over-reliance on passing in crucial games, notably in last season’s Conference Championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

While Jackson has demonstrably improved as a passer, the Ravens’ core strength lies in their running game. Their Super Bowl aspirations likely depend on rediscovering their identity as a run-first team and solidifying their defensive performance.