Ravens vs. Seahawks: Halftime Observations for the Ravens

Baltimore Ravens fans, we've been here before... unfortunately. Another road trap game, and another slow start on offense. The Jekyll and Hyde season that the Ravens have put fans through continued in the first quarter in Seattle in which Joe Flacco missed on a couple of very deep passes that both looked like potential touchdown catches. 

One step forward, two steps back. 

Flacco got the monkey off his back last week, but it appears to be right back this afternoon on the West Coast. As the Ravens look for their third consecutive win and the top spot in the AFC, let's take a look at a few first-half observations and some keys to success in the third and fourth quarters. 

Coverage

The Ravens linebacking corps is deadly against the run, but they've struggled in coverage, especially when Marshawn Lynch has gotten his hands on the ball. The Ravens need to get a hat on a hat and make sure they're not only making the tackles, but not leaving gaping holes in the defense. Close down the holes and you're going to get Tarvaris Jackson holding onto the ball too long. The Ravens rarely let quarterbacks get away with holding onto the ball. 

Don't Panic

Ray Rice didn't get enough carries in the first half. Yes, obviously it's tough when the offense isn't really able to get going, but that doesn't mean you can give up. Rice is the key to this offense, so it's important that the Ravens not forget that. If the Seahawks don't think the run is coming, they have no reason to stack the box with eight defenders which clogs up the field with an extra man. Flacco needs as many gaps in coverage as he can get right now. 

Shut Up the 12th Man

CenturyLink Field is one of the most vicious places to play on the road. The stadium is designed for noise optimization and can be a nightmare for the visiting team. When they get a little momentum they are far worse than any crowd in the country. If the Ravens expect to communicate more efficiently, they need to get points on the scoreboard and shut this crowd up. You'd hate to have a critical false start penalty in the game because you can't hear the quarterback's cadence. 

Keep Tarvaris in the Pocket

This is a little more simple than the other keys. Tarvaris Jackson has made a few really nice plays from outside the pocket, and some not-so-nice ones from inside. With a man in his face, Jackson is struggling, but watching the secondary breakdown on long plays is not fun to watch. 

Player of the Half: Ed Dickson made multiple key catches in the first half to extend drives including three unbelievable grabs on third down and catching a touchdown pass by Ray Rice of all people as Cam Cameron dialed up some trickeration on the goal line.