The Ravens’ defense did nothing for the final seven minutes, 15 seconds two weeks ago against the Cincinnati Bengals, and defensive coordinator Rex Ryan couldn’t have been happier.
Ryan and the defense stood on the sidelines, as the Ravens’ offense ran the ball 10 times late in the fourth quarter, while keeping the Bengals’ offense off the field to ensure a 17-10 win. In all, the Ravens rushed a franchise-record 46 times for 229 yards.
The Ravens are hoping for a similar performance Sunday when they host the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. The team is 38-10 at home since 2000 when rushing for at least 100 yards.
Ravens coaches and players agree that putting together a dominating rushing attack takes pressure off rookie quarterback Joe Flacco, provides confidence to the Ravens’ young offensive line and keeps the team’s defense fresh late in the game.
“We were so good on offense, we never got to finish the game on defense,” Ryan said. “That was fantastic to see. Our defense was so fired up on the sideline. We’re just standing there, watching, and it was a great feeling. Is that going to happen every week? You don’t know. All I know is, you have a chance for that to happen, and that’s exciting.”
Leading that rushing attack was second-year fullback Le’Ron McClain and rookie running back Ray Rice. McClain rushed for 86 yards on 19 carries, and Rice finished with 64 yards on 22 carries against the Bengals.
The backfield could receive an even greater boost should starting running back Willis McGahee, who did not play against the Bengals, return. Although McGahee, who made the Pro Bowl and rushed for 1,207 yards in 2007, continues to practice, his status for Sunday is still unclear.
“[Rice and McClain] are the two backs we’re going with, but Willis’ role will increase, and today’s practice and tomorrow’s practice will determine that,” said Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron prior to Thursday’s practice.
McGahee has slowly worked his way back from last month’s arthrosopic surgery on his left knee. He did not play in any of the Ravens’ preseason games, but McGahee believes he will be playing again soon, especially after having an extra week of rest after the Ravens’ game against the Houston Texans was postponed until Nov. 9.
“We’ll be even stronger when all of us get going,” McGahee said. “It’s going to add more fuel to the fire. We already have a flame, but we’ll soon be able to make the fire higher.”
Ravens left guard Ben Grubbs said nothing impacts an opposing defense more negatively than when it is unable to stop a drive. Overall, the Ravens held the ball for 36:15 against the Bengals.
The 6-foot-3, 315-pound Grubbs added that grinding out a win like the Ravens did against the Bengals gave the offensive line a much-needed boost, as their starting unit is playing with three second-year players. None of the starters have more than four years of experience.
“It brings us tremendous confidence when we can dominate the line of scrimmage like that,” Grubbs said. “When you can run the ball, it demoralizes a defense and tires them out much faster. When that happens, it definitely helps us a lot.”
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