Lamar Jackson MVP No. 3 Chatter starts after shootout win in Cincinnati

In the last two games, most of the plays by the Ravens’ tight end trio of Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar consisted of blocks to release Henry for 350 yards and three touchdowns. But in the Bengals’ concerted attempt to slow the Ravens’ tailback, the tight end trio came alive in the passing game, and Pressbox’s Bo Smolka notes how they challenge opposing defenses.

“The Ravens’ tight ends continue to pose a matchup problem for opposing defenses in multiple ways,” Smolka wrote. “In addition to making catches, they have been exceptional perimeter blockers this season, often taking out smaller defensive backs to start long runs, and they have become great decoys.”

Smolka noted that it wasn’t just their performance that impacted the Bengals’ defense, but also their presence.

“When asked this week about Andrews’ poor performance this season, quarterback Lamar Jackson noted that when Andrews is double-teamed, the field opens up for others,” Smolka wrote. “In fact, the Ravens faced a third-and-five at their 21-yard line in the first quarter. Over the last five years, Jackson has looked for Andrews in this exact situation many, many times. That’s probably why the Bengals double-” Instead, Jackson threw a pass right past Andrews and those two defenders to a wide-open Zay Flowers for a 26-yard gain. In the third quarter, Likely went in motion and after receiving the snap, Jackson looked that way, then he quickly looked to his right and found Kolar wide open for a 55-yard catch-and-run.”