Ravens find running success out of shotgun

Sep 22, 2015

Once considered a given to again be among the most stable and feared units in the NFL, the Ravens rushing offense has been successful only in a formation that a year ago it shied away from.

Through two games this season, running backs Justin Forsett and Lorenzo Taliaferro are averaging seven yards per carry (12 rushes, 84 yards) out of the shotgun formation — all of those carries coming in Sunday's 37-33 loss to the Oakland Raiders. But that duo, and rookie Buck Allen, averaged 2.82 yards per carry (34 rushes for 96 yards) when quarterback Joe Flacco was under center.

It's a unique problem for the Ravens, and one likely exacerbated by the game situations Sunday in Oakland — the Ravens twice trailed by two scores, and found a rhythm in the shotgun that had eluded them through the first game against the Denver Broncos.

But their 12 carries on draw plays out of the shotgun were more than Ravens running backs had during all of the 2014 season (nine), and through two games was the only way the offense substantially moved the ball on the ground. No NFL team used the shotgun formation less than the Ravens last season.

Fantasy Impact:

However small the sample size, it brings into question how the pair of top backs will be utilized going forward, and whether the zone scheme that Forsett found success in last year will yield similar results this year. Fantasy owners probably don't care what formation Forsett is in at this point, but perhaps it's at least good news the Ravens have found something to build off in the run game.

yesterday

Update on Gardner Minshew: Broken collarbone, out for season

Ian Rapoport

yesterday · 7:57 PM EST

A quick update on Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew: he suffered a broken collarbone against the Broncos and is out for the season.

Fantasy Impact:

We had just posted the quote from head coach Antonio Pierce, saying it didn’t look good. It turned out it wasn’t good. Minshew looked like he was in a lot of pain after taking the his late in the game. Now we have an understanding of that pain. Desmond Ridder came on in relief and the team is expected to activate Aidan O’Connell this week from injured reserve. The Raiders visit Kansas City on Friday.

Antonio Pierce on Gardner Minshew injury: ‘It doesn’t look good.’

Adam Schefter

yesterday · 7:53 PM EST

Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said “It doesn’t look good” in regards to the shoulder injury to quarterback Gardner Minshew.

Fantasy Impact:

Minshew went down late in the game against the Broncos after taking a sack and looked to be in quite a bit of pain. He’ll undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury.

Desmond Ridder came on in replacement. He went 5-of-10 for 64 yards and was sacked twice. If Minshew is to miss time, which looks very likely, the Raiders may look to see what they have in the former Falcons quarterback. Vegas is also expected to have Aidan O’Connell back this week. The Raiders are on a short week as they head to Kansas City on Black Friday.

Romeo Doubs ruled out with concussion

Green Bay Packers

yesterday · 6:48 PM EST

Packers WR Romeo Doubs was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the 49ers with a concussion.

Fantasy Impact:

Doubs suffered the injury while attempting a catch in the end zone and landing hard on the back of his helmet. Doubs will not return tonight and it’s almost certain he’ll be ruled out for Thursday night against the Dolphins. If that’s the case, his next chance to return would be the following Thursday against the Lions.