In Week 4, the Baltimore Ravens offense ran over a weak Buffalo Bills defense, with frequent use of fullback Patrick Ricard and multiple tight ends, while the defense rotated the front seven to avoid fatigue in obvious passing situations in the second half.

attack

The Ravens’ most telling snapshot was Josh Johnson’s three steals, with Lamar Jackson relaxing on the sidelines after a calm, efficient performance. All too often in recent years, Jackson has been called upon to finish games on offense when the lead slips away, but the Ravens kept the game out of reach and let their two-time MVP watch the final offensive attack from the bench.

The Ravens’ offensive line played all 57 snaps, with Ronnie Stanley, Tyler Linderbaum and Daniel Faalele each starting their fourth straight game.

Patrick Mekari started at left guard for the first time, completing a career offensive line cycle for the versatile veteran, and Roger Rosengarten started at right tackle for the first time in his NFL career. Ben Cleveland also played one snap on offense as the sixth offensive lineman in a goal-line package.

Derrick Henry’s 65% snap percentage was his highest as a Raven as he ran a run-heavy game plan that challenged the Bills’ linebackers and defensive backs to tackle the All-Pro.

Justice Hill’s snap count fell to 20, his lowest of the season, as Baltimore avoided obvious passing situations. However, he made his playing time count by scoring all six of his scores and converting a 3rd-and-14 and a 19-yard touchdown in three plays.

Three Ravens receivers played at least 50% of the game, with 39 snaps for Zay Flowers, 37 snaps for Rashod Bateman and 29 snaps for Nelson Agholor. They combined for just six goals but focused on blocking runs all night. Tylan Wallace also played 10 snaps during the game, mostly in blocking duties.

Todd Monken brought the strong personnel to bear against a Bills defense that runs exclusively nickel and dime packages. Patrick Ricard played 61% of the snaps, his highest rate since Monken took over as offensive coordinator. Like the wide receivers, tight ends Isaiah Likely (31 snaps) and Mark Andrews (26 snaps) saw limited scoring but played a big role in the promotion to the second level of the running game.

defense

No Ravens defender went the distance, as the team’s 25-point lead allowed Brandon Stephens, Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams and Roquan Smith to leave the field after 54 snaps, 92% of the defense’s total. Stephens had another impressive play in coverage while Hamilton, Williams and Smith rotated in the middle of the field.

Rookie Nate Wiggins played a career-high 51 snaps (86%), a significant improvement from his 55 snaps in Weeks 1 and 3. The Ravens relied on him as a boundary cornerback, with Marlon Humphrey frequently sliding into the slot. Humphrey missed a few snaps due to an injury just before halftime, but returned on the Bills’ first drive of the third quarter.

While Michael Pierce was sidelined, Travis Jones played 41 snaps, reaching a career-high snap percentage of 69%, his fourth straight game with at least 60% playing time. Nnamdi Madubuike was his primary partner in the trenches with 38 snaps (54%), his lowest snap count and percentage this year. Broderick Washington played 26 snaps and Brent Urban made his first appearance of the season with 25 snaps to complete the defensive line rotation.

Trenton Simpson saw similar usage to the Chiefs and Cowboys game: He played 63% of the snaps with less time on the field as the Bills moved away from the run and remained in obvious passing situations. This led to more nickel and dime packages with Eddie Jackson (20 snaps, 34%) and Ar’Darius Washington (18 snaps, 31%).

Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy fueled the edge rusher rotation with 32 and 27 snaps, respectively. Tavius ​​Robinson and David Ojabo played 21 snaps each, while Adisa Isaac played 14 snaps in his first NFL appearance. Malik Harrison played just eight snaps and played mostly run defense, with Zach Orr avoiding throwing him into coverage.

Rookies TJ Tampa and Sanoussi Kane got their first career regular-season reps on defense with five snaps each after Bills backup QB Mitchell Trubisky entered the game.