Baltimore Ravens Todd Monken on Offensive Explosion - 'That's What You're Paid To Do!'
Baltimore Ravens fans had been waiting for a game like last Sunday. With the offense under Todd Monken showing glimpses of its potential, we hadn't seen it all come together for an entire game.
Well, against the Lions, who were riding high off the back of a four-game winning streak, we saw Monken's offense in all its glory.
While the plaudits are getting handed out thick and fast, Monken simply states that what was put forth on Sunday was what he is paid to do.
“I don't think you ever anticipate scoring touchdowns in your first four drives but that's what you're paid to do,” Monken said. “You're paid to put a product out there, maximize your players potential and we did that. You play well enough, you hold up your end of the bargain, you play like you're capable of playing. We really hadn't had a game like that since the Bengals. We had spots you know here or there, but now we're looking forward we're through week seven and now it's on to week eight and hopefully we can stack those type of games together.”
In total, the Ravens put up over 500 yards of total offense, scored 38 points, and averaged 9.1 yards a play while Lamar Jackson completed 21/27 for 357 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 36 yards and a touchdown.
It was an all-out domination from the Ravens offense with Jackson looking like the 2019 version that was unanimously voted NFL MVP.
The Ravens offense was firing on all cylinders against the Lions.
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Part of what made Jackson's efforts against Detroit borderline unstoppable was his ability to make off-scripted plays. When Jackson was on the move or it looked like he was about to scramble, his choices with the football were outstanding.
And Monken had a similar thought.
“I mean his off-platform arm angles, ability to get the ball in space and see the field is unique,” Monken said. “He's done a great job, and we're just getting started, we really are you know, really just getting started. We just got to build from here.”
The Ravens now have a challenge of a different sort - the 1-6 Arizona Cardinals.
After facing a team like the Lions who are considered to be a top team in the NFC, to a team that has been plucky, but ultimately falters when it counts, this could be deemed a potential "banana skin" game for Baltimore.
But with the offense coming off its best performance of the year and the defense, which is only giving up 13.9 points a game (ranks 1st) while also leading the NFL in sacks (29), don't expect a letdown performance on Sunday.
And if what Monken says is true, that the offense is just getting started, then spare a thought for the Cardinals' defense which could be about to walk into a buzzsaw on Sunday.
