At the beginning of the season, the key to success for the Ravens was the development of the offensive line. Now, near the end of the season, the key for their postseason hopes is for the offensive line to take its game to a higher level.
When the Ravens meet the Dallas Cowboys tomorrow night in the last game at Texas Stadium, they will face the best defensive line they have seen this season.
Pittsburgh has the No. 1-rated defense in the NFL, but the Steelers don't have the combination of strength and speed that the Cowboys have up front, beginning with All-World outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware and nose guard Jay Ratliff.
Usually, the Ravens play a team with one great defensive lineman/outside linebacker, like Pittsburgh's James Harrison. You can focus on him and turn your protection toward him.
You can double-team Ware, but who is going to single-block Ratliff or outside linebacker Greg Ellis?
"We've got to protect our quarterback," Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason said. "That's basically what it boils down to. This is a front four that is very good. I think Ellis has, what, [7 1/2 ] sacks? Ware is right at the top in sacks, as well [with 19]. I think they have two or three Pro Bowlers in that front four.
"So, this is probably the best defensive line that we'll face all season. But this is probably the best offensive line they're going to face all season, so ... it's going to be a sight to see - their four against our five. I'll take our five."
Maybe Mason didn't see the game film from the Cowboys' 20-8 win over the defending Super Bowl New York Giants on Sunday night. By most accounts, New York has the best offensive line in the NFL. But the Cowboys sacked Eli Manning eight times.
"Well, I don't know if it's tougher than what we saw last week; pass rush-wise, it's every bit as tough," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said in comparing the Cowboys to the Steelers. "The Cowboys have one of the best pass rushes in football. It's a little different type of a scheme. Same basic front, though, same type of talent, and that's going to be a big priority for us. If we can protect the quarterback, then we'll have a chance to throw the ball."
For the most part, the Ravens have done a good job of protecting quarterback Joe Flacco, who has been sacked just 25 times. But the protection has come at the expense of options in the passing game, because the Ravens have had to use running backs and tight ends to get maximum blocking.
