Baltimore Ravens vs Tennessee Titans: Scouting the Enemy

Oct 26, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger (7) is sacked by Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the second half at LP Field. The Texans beat the Titans 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

Passing Game (Key Players: Zach Mettenberger, Delanie Walker, Justin Hunter, Nate Washington, Kendall Wright, Dexter McCluster)

What could be better for a developing secondary than playing a lunk-head rookie quarterback? Not much. Zach Mettenberger has physical talent, but didn’t impress in his first NFL action. His two touchdowns came in garbage time against the Houston Texans in a game in which he mostly struggled. The Texans have the 29th-ranked pass defense in the league. I’m not impressed.

Mettenberger does have a pretty nice group of weapons to throw to, with Delanie Walker being the headliner. Walker is among the best (and definitely most underrated) tight ends in the NFL, ranking fifth among tight ends in receiving yards. The Ravens, who have a big weakness defending passes over the middle of the field, could struggle to stop Walker.

On the outside, Nate Washington and Kendall Wright are the starters, with both being fast, shifty players. Washington is more of a deep threat, along with Justin Hunter, who has size to go with his speed. Wright, meanwhile, is only averaging 10 yards per reception.

Dexter McCluster rounds out the passing game as a nifty threat from both the slot and the backfield, though he’s listed as a running back. Almost 80 percent of his yardage has come after the catch.

The Ravens should be able to get to the quarterback against a mediocre Titans offensive line. Michael Oher, who Ravens fans know and probably don’t love, starts at right tackle. He has given up 26 pressures per PFF (subscription needed), most on the team. Andy Levitre and Chance Warmack form a highly touted guard duo, but along with center Brian Schwenke, they give up way too much pressure up the middle.

Taylor Lewan, the rookie left tackle, has been a bright spot.

All in all, the Ravens can probably pick on Mettenberger just by generating pressure and playing zone coverage. Mettenberger is a bit slow to diagnose zones, as most rookies are, so the pass rush should have time to get home.