It is called the red zone, but it has been more like a wasteland for the Ravens.
The Ravens (3-6) have ventured inside the opponent's 20-yard line 18 times in nine games and have scored only five touchdowns, the worst ratio in the National Football League.
There are a number of reasons for the failures, such as tipped passes, fumbles, penalties, new defensive formations, conservative play-calling and poor matchups.
But there is one universal agreement throughout the league: It's the toughest area to score in.
"The defenses change. You don't get deeper coverages where the cornerbacks sit on the goal line," said Ravens receiver Floyd Turner. "You don't have enough room to turn cornerbacks because the game becomes more lateral than vertical. Teams blitz a lot, which makes you throw quicker."
"Teams try a lot of different things that they wouldn't do in other areas of the field," said Ravens quarterback Jim Harbaugh. "That's because you run out of room. The field has shrunk to 15 to 20 yards. You'll see blitzes that you haven't seen before. Last week we scored [against Jacksonville], but this week we didn't get it done [0-for-2]. We have to be more consistent, that's for sure."
The last three games have been the Ravens' season inside the red zone in microcosm. Three weeks ago against Green Bay, the Ravens had only one trip inside the red zone and that came in the third quarter.
But on first-and-10 from the 15, left guard Wally Williams was penalized 5 yards for a false start. On second-and-15, Harbaugh threw an incomplete pass and left tackle Jonathan Ogden was called for holding. End of threat. The Ravens had to settle for a 45-yard field-goal attempt that Matt Stover missed. Wide left.
"For the most part, we have moved the ball up and down the field, but stalled inside the red zone for numerous reasons," said backup quarterback Eric Zeier. "It's kind of hard to put a finger on just one thing."
One of the Ravens' biggest problems has been scoring through the air. The Ravens have just eight touchdown passes this season compared to a total of 34 in 1996 and 25 last year.
Part of the dropoff is a result of shuffling Harbaugh and Zeier, who each have four touchdown passes in an injury-plagued season. Zeier is more of a pocket quarterback while Harbaugh can make plays on the run. Harbaugh's experience also gives the Ravens an edge in the red zone, but he was hurt in the team's first seven games.
