–The Ravens are struggling to develop an effective running game.
As a result, head coach John Harbaugh might rotate players to find a spark.
Alex Collins entered the season as the starter, but he has yet to have a big game. He ranks 27th in the league with 217 yards on 57 carries and also has two fumbles. In Week 5, Collins played a season-low 27 snaps as Javorius Allen got more action in short-yardage situations.
“A fresh running back is a good thing,” Harbaugh said. “I think running backs taking 40, 50 snaps is not necessarily a good thing. You talked about the balance. (If) you put the ball in one guy’s hand for 35 plays, I don’t know if that’s balance. We need to spread the load, and you want fresh guys out there playing hard.”
Rookie De’Lance Turner also appears to be playing his way into the rotation and is gaining the confidence of his coach.
–Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco occasionally lines up at wide receiver when first-round pick Lamar Jackson enters the game.
Flacco is not overly enthused about that strategy … much to the chagrin of his wife.
“My wife gave me crap the one day, told me I need to look more interested out there,” he said. “But I’m just trying to stay out of it. I’m not comfortable out there. I don’t need to get too creative.”
Flacco has two receptions in the NFL. The highlight is a 43-yard catch against Oakland in 2008 when he was a rookie.
He doesn’t plan to add to those totals.
When asked if there is any scenario this year where he will have a chance to catch the ball, he responded: “I sure hope not. Hey, if it needs to be done, it needs to be done. But like I said, I sure hope I don’t have to do that.”
BY THE NUMBERS: 15.4 — Points allowed per game by the Ravens, fewest in the NFL.
