Lions Week 3 preview: Breaking down Ravens’ offensive, defensive schemes

The Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens have only competed against each other seven times in their histories, but two of those games have happened during the Dan Campbell era; first in 2021 and most recently in 2023. While not a lot has changed in Baltimore over the last few seasons, the Ravens have made a few tweaks, so it’s always good to have a refresher on their offensive and defensive schemes.

“Really good opponent this week, Coach (John) Harbaugh’s done a great job, his staff, got a lot of respect for him and what he’s done throughout the years,” Campbell said of the Ravens. “I mean, these guys are always competitive. Rugged team, tough, disciplined, really good players.”

Ravens head coach: John Harbaugh

NFL coaching seasons: 28th
Head coaching seasons: 18th (all in Baltimore)
Influences: Andy Reid, Ray Rhodes, Jack (Dad) and Jim (Brother) Harbaugh
Playcaller: No, the coordinators call the plays.

Offensive coordinator: Todd Monken

NFL coaching seasons: 11th
Offensive coordinator seasons: 7th (Baltimore 2023-present, Browns 2019, Bucs 2016-18)
Notable: Georgia OC (2020-2022, won two National Championships), Southern Miss head coach (2013-15)
Influences: Dirk Koetter, Freddie Kitchens

Balanced offensive scheme

Passing game: Pro Spread
Running scheme: Power heavy, Shanahan-Wide Zone system
Staples of scheme:

• Heavy sets, at least two TEs on the field 50% of the time
• 12 personnel: 37.86%, 6th most in NFL, 13 personnel (12.62%, 3rd)
  • Typically lean on 21 personnel as well, but FB Patrick Ricard is injured
• 11 personnel, 45.63%, 24th in NFL
• Tailored scheme for Lamar Jackson, orchestrated an MVP season in 2023
• Mainly out of Shotgun
• QB-designed runs and play-action bootlegs
• Jackson buys time in the pocket by scrambling backward
• Play-action
• Pre-snap shifts and motions; typically Zay Flowers
• Jet sweeps and screens to RB and WR; typically Flowers
• Third downs go over middle; crossers and in-breaking routes

Scouting notes:

• Lamar Jackson is spreading it around, but he heavily favors WRs (76% of targets, RB: 13%, TE: 11%)
• Flowers has 14 receptions; no one else has more than four
• DeAndre Hopkins gets situational work but is still reliable
• TE Mark Andrews does not look like himself, struggling to get open, and has dropped catches
• Cleveland shut down rushing attacks; held to 45 yards (2.1 yards per carry)
• Offensive line had trouble with Cleveland’s DL power, especially Ronnie Stanley vs. Myles Garrett
• IOL had trouble picking up delayed blitzes and holding back pressure

Dan Campbell on the Ravens’ offense

“They do a lot of different things scheme wise. Lamar (Jackson)’s playing at a very high level. I mean, they’ve got the screens, they’ve got the boots, the read run, the wide zone, the toss plays. And so, they do everything out of it. They keep you on your heels. You mis-fit a gap one time and you’re in trouble. So, there’s a lot of three yard gain, three yard gain, three...