Ravens vs. Titans Week 2: Baltimore Ravens Flaws on Display in Loss

What a difference a week makes in the NFL.

The Ravens were on top of the world following their season-opening domination of the Steelers. They came tumbling back down to Earth yesterday.

The Titans dominated every facet of the game and in the process exposed more than a few flaws that should worry Ravens coach John Harbaugh.

Cary Williams and Domonique Foxworth Are Overmatched

As a Ravens fan I can tolerate Kenny Britt going off for nine catches and 135 yards. Nate Washington catching seven balls for 99 yards—not so much.

The Ravens secondary was completely outclassed by the Titans passing attack. Matt Hasselback repeatedly picked them apart on third down.

It was clear that Cary Williams and Domonique Foxworth could not cover the Titans wide receivers man to man. The Titans beat the Ravens secondary on a variety of routes. There were plenty of quick hitters which are harder to cover. What's harder to swallow is the fact that there were also plenty of deep passes completed right down the middle of the defense.

The Ravens run defense played exceptionally well, limiting Chris Johnson to 2.2 yards per carry. Ray Lewis and the front seven were let down by the play of the secondary. The secondary was a weakness last year for the Ravens, and it appears it will continue to hold back the defense this year.

It does not matter how well the run defense plays if teams know they can easily convert third downs through the air. The Ravens need to get Jimmy Smith healthy. The current group of cornerbacks is not cutting it.

Jarret Johnson Is Not a Threat to Reach the Quarterback

The Ravens could not touch Matt Hasselback. To be fair, the Titans quarterback was getting the ball out of his hand very quickly on most dropbacks. When Hasselback did look downfield, however, the Ravens could not generate a pass rush.

A week after terrorizing Ben Roethlisberger and registering four sacks, the Ravens did not sack the Titans quarterback once. The Ravens secondary is not the greatest. The defense needs to pressure the quarterback to help cover this weakness.

The defensive line is just as responsible for this lackluster defensive showing. Terrell Suggs needs help. He cannot be the only pass rusher generating pressure. Jarret Johnson needs to step up as the other defensive end and help Suggs. Right now, Johnson is not a threat to reach the quarterback.

The Receivers Cannot Get Separation

Lee Evans is not having the immediate impact on the Ravens offense that many expected. He has only two catches thus far in 2011.

Evans was expected to bring a new dimension to the Ravens passing attack, but he has not done so. Last year, Ravens receivers struggled to get separation from the defense. The aerial explosion against the Steelers now looks like a product of the Steelers' subpar secondary.

Against a good secondary like Tennessee's, Ravens receivers simply could not get open. Lee Evans may not be at 100 percent due to an ankle injury. It is obvious that Anquan Boldin needs to be complemented by a deep threat. He is a solid possession receiver, but when the defense is able to focus its full attention on him, he cannot produce like an elite receiver.

Joe Flacco Cannot Carry an Offense

As the Ravens fell behind yesterday, it became obvious that Joe Flacco would have to carry the offense if the Ravens were to leave Nashville with a victory. He could not do it.

A week after playing with confidence and swagger, Flacco was back to looking like a deer in headlights against the Titans. He completed less than 50 percent of his passes and threw two interceptions.

The Titans were able to generate a consistent pass rush, but Flacco still struggled when given time. When Joe Flacco has to carry the offense, the Ravens will not win.

The Offensive Line Is Still a Weakness

Joe Flacco spent most of his dropbacks running for his life. The rushing attack could not get untracked.

This was due to the offensive line's inability to hold off the Titans' defense. After playing so well against the Steelers, it looked like the Ravens' offensive line would not be a concern this season.

The Titans sacked Joe Flacco three times and hit him countless others. The running backs averaged only 2.6 yards per carry. The inability to run the football hurt the Ravens offense. To work properly, Cam Cameron's offense needs balance. The Ravens ability to throw the football is determined by their ability to establish the run.

Obviously the offensive line cannot be blamed for all of the offense's struggles, but their inability to open holes or create a pocket was the root of the offensive struggles against the Titans. This is a unit that was hastily assembled during the latter stages of the preseason.

The Ravens need consistency from their offensive line. If the offensive line is not able to bounce back from this abysmal showing, the Ravens will struggle to score points.