Is the Ravens Offensive Line Turning into Their Kryptonite?

The Baltimore Ravens’ offensive line has become one of the team’s biggest question marks as the 2025 season grinds toward its critical late stages. Despite an impressive array of weapons and the continued dynamism of Lamar Jackson, Baltimore’s offensive success often comes undone because of consistent breakdowns in protection, exposing Jackson to relentless pressure from opposing pass rushers. The Ravens’ narrow 23-16 victory over the Cleveland Browns may have added another tally to the win column, but it also served as a glaring case study in just how vulnerable Jackson is behind this line, particularly when playing top-tier pass rushers like Cleveland’s Myles Garrett, who registered a stunning four sacks in a single game. These struggles have persisted against several formidable defensive fronts this season, suggesting the issue is far from isolated. As Baltimore prepares for an increasingly tough slate of opponents, the magnitude of the offensive line’s shortcomings continues to grow clearer each week.

Layered on top of these protection woes is the reality of Lamar Jackson’s recent health battles, which magnify the importance of keeping him clean in the pocket. After missing time with a hamstring injury earlier this year, Jackson has also been nursing knee soreness since his return, a reminder of the physical pounding he’s already endured 11 weeks into the season. While Jackson has pushed through to lead the Ravens back to playoff contention, he’s openly admitted that no NFL player is ever truly at 100 percent this late in the year. His willingness to play through pain underscores his leadership, but it also reveals how fragile the situation becomes with every added hit. Each additional hit he takes only increases the chances of aggravating lingering injuries, making improved protection from Baltimore’s line essential for preserving his availability and the team’s postseason chances.

One glaring issue has been the interior of the line, especially at the guard positions. Daniel Faalele, who shifted inside after originally coming into the league as a tackle, has struggled considerably in pass protection. His pass-block grade this season, hovering in the lower third of NFL guards, matches the eye test: he’s too often slow to react to elite quickness off the snap, allowing defensive tackles and blitzing linebackers direct lanes to Jackson. Andrew Vorhees, the other starting guard, hasn’t fared much better. While he occasionally flashes good run-blocking chops, his hands and base frequently betray him in pass sets, making him susceptible to bull rushes and twists. These lapses were never more apparent than against Cleveland, where both players failed to keep Myles Garrett at bay, contributing to the constant barrage Jackson faced. The coaching staff has attempted small schematic adjustments, but none have been enough to mask the persistent issues on the interior.

The ramifications of this porous line play stretch far beyond the box score or any single afternoon. Jackson finds himself forced to escape the pocket on too many dropbacks, which not only limits the Ravens’ ability to run their full passing playbook but also puts their franchise quarterback at repeated risk of injury. Compounding matters, when faced with defensive fronts that stack the box or disguise blitz packages, both Faalele and Vorhees consistently struggle to make the right assignments, an issue highlighted in national breakdowns of Baltimore’s 2025 offense. Even the return of Patrick Ricard has provided only sporadic help; while his presence gives the offense a marginal boost in run-blocking, he can’t erase the interior issues dogging Faalele and Vorhees or the occasional leaks around the edge. As defenses continue to exploit these weaknesses, the Ravens’ margin for error shrinks dramatically, especially in tightly contested games.

With the postseason looming, Baltimore’s offensive line looms as a critical flaw that could undermine the team’s championship aspirations. Playoff football will almost certainly pit the Ravens against devastating defensive fronts, units like Denver, Pittsburgh, or even New England, that can rush the passer with four and disguise pressure like few others in the league. Unless Faalele and Vorhees elevate their performance, Jackson may find himself unable to operate the offense with any consistency, forcing the Ravens to rely more on quick-hitters, screens, and misdirection just to survive. This shift in play-calling could hinder Baltimore’s ability to sustain long drives or push the ball downfield, reducing the explosiveness that has defined the offense in recent years. Ultimately, if the offensive line can’t impose its will or at least hold its ground, it could become the very weakness that derails Baltimore’s Super Bowl hopes, even with Lamar Jackson’s heroics.