Can Justin Forsett Take Pressure off Flacco, Ravens' Passing Game vs. Patriots?

Much has been made of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco's performance in the postseason dating back to his team's Super Bowl run two seasons ago.

In that span, Flacco has thrown 13 touchdowns to zero interceptions, earning him Super Bowl MVP honors and head coach John Harbaugh's assertion that he's the best quarterback in football.

However, this feat isn't one Flacco has accomplished alone. There's also the reliability of his receivers to consider, as well as a solid offensive line, a formidable defense and a strong running game that helps him perform at his best.

If the Ravens are to emerge from Foxboro with a victory over the New England Patriots on Saturday, all facets of the team must execute with as few flaws as possible.

One area that will be of most help to Flacco is the run game led by Justin Forsett.

Forsett, brought on because of his familiarity with coordinator Gary Kubiak's offensive scheme as a complement to presumed starter Bernard Pierce, took over the starting reins in Week 3 and did not relinquish them.

Atts.	Yds.	YPR	Rush TD	Rush YPG	Rush 1stD	Tgts.	Rec.	Rec. Yds.	Rec.%	Rec. TD	YAC
235	1,266	5.4	8	79.1	56	79	48	527	61.0%	4	163

Ultimately, Forsett rushed 235 times in the regular season for 1,266 yards and eight touchdowns. He averaged 5.4 yards per carry, 79.1 yards per game and accounted for 56 rushing first downs.

He was also a regular checkdown target for Flacco, catching 48 of 79 passes thrown his way for 527 yards, four touchdowns and another 38 first downs.

Forsett's value to the Ravens goes beyond his role as a rusher and receiver. He's also a good blocker in the passing game, allowing just one sack, one hit and seven hurries in 118 pass-blocking snaps played in the regular season, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

All three of his talents will be required for the Ravens offense to move the chains.

New England's defense, while not as stingy with the rushing yards as its Baltimore counterpart, does not allow for much yardage gained on the ground. The Patriots have allowed just 104.3 rushing yards per game in the regular season, which ranks ninth in the league.

However, this does not mean that Forsett cannot make an impact as running back even if his yardage total isn't impressive. While the Patriots don't allow many rushing yards or touchdowns in a game, they are a middle-of-the-road unit in rushing first downs per game allowed at 5.5.

While running with Forsett on 3rd-and-short might be a bit too predictable for the Ravens to attempt very often, if used judiciously, it should result in an extra set of downs.

According to ESPN.com, Forsett has averaged 4.6 yards per carry on third downs with one or two yards to go and 5.5 yards per carry on third downs with three to seven yards to go.

He's also useful on 2nd-and-short. Forsett averaged 3.8 yards per carry on second downs with one to two yards to go and 3.4 yards on second down with three to seven yards to go. While the Patriots may not give him many yards to work with in the open field, he should be able to convert—or at least gain ground—on short-yardage downs.

Another area in which he can help on second and third downs is as a receiver.

Forsett has no targets on second and third downs with one or two yards to go. However, he has successfully moved the chains on second and third downs from longer distances:

Rushing		Receiving
Down/Distance	Avg. Yds.	Down/Distance	Avg. Yds.
2nd & 1-2	3.8	2nd & 3-7	5.0
2nd & 3-7	3.4	3rd & 3-7	16.0
3rd & 1-2	4.6	3rd & 8-10	8.5
3rd & 3-7	5.5	3rd & 6+	10.1

Forsett averaged five yards per reception on second downs with three to seven yards to go, 16 yards per reception on third downs with three to seven yards to go and 10.1 yards per reception on third downs of six or more yards.

Therefore, Forsett could be the Ravens' secret weapon when it comes to keeping drives alive. What at first glance looks like long first downs to gain on second and third downs shrinks considerably when Forsett is the passing target.

And the Patriots will have to be prepared for either a run or pass when Forsett is on the field, regardless of distance, requiring them to commit defensive resources to him.

That can open up a multitude of possibilities for Baltimore's offense and Flacco, even if Forsett doesn't get the touch on the particular play.

Forsett in pass protection will also be a key to Flacco having another good game. As mentioned above, Forsett has allowed only nine pressures in the regular season while playing 28 percent of his passing snaps as a blocker.

Meanwhile, the Patriots have sacked opposing quarterbacks 40 times in the regular season—nearly twice as many sacks as Flacco has taken on the year.

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

With that said, Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun reports left tackle Eugene Monroe hopes to be back on Saturday, which would help end the offensive line's shuffling.

Right tackle Rick Wagner was placed on injured reserve in late December, forcing rookie John Urschel into the job briefly before Monroe's injury put him at right guard, with Marshal Yanda at right tackle.

With Monroe back, Yanda can move back to his natural position.

However, Urschel will need some help against the Patriots' pass rush—he'll be matched up mostly against Patriots left outside linebacker Rob Ninkovich, who totaled eight sacks in the regular season.

Forsett will likely be assisting Urschel on passing downs when it's clear the Patriots will be going after Flacco.

Larry French/Getty Images

Because Forsett possesses the skill set of a three-down running back, he'll be called upon to do a lot to help the Ravens' offensive efforts on Saturday. Baltimore's offense requires a running back with his talents in order to run smoothly.

Should Forsett not make a major impact as a running back, it doesn't matter. What he brings to the offense as a receiver and blocker will be crucial on Saturday.

Forsett has been an unsung hero of Baltimore's offense this year. For every long run, for every rushing touchdown, there have been three more plays in which Forsett's performance has helped the Ravens succeed.

Flacco will need all the help he can get on Saturday, and it begins not with his receivers but with Forsett.

Unless otherwise noted, statistics courtesy of Team Rankings.