Ravens snap-count analysis: Creativity required for defense ravaged by COVID-19

Ravens offensive snap counts vs. Cincinnati Bengals 12/26/21

Alejandro Villanueva T 59

Ben Cleveland G 59

Kevin Zeitler G 59

Josh Johnson QB 59

Patrick Mekari T 57

Marquise Brown WR 54

Bradley Bozeman C 53

Rashod Bateman WR 48

Mark Andrews TE 47

Devonta Freeman RB 33

James Proche WR 28

Tylan Wallace WR 27

Latavius Murray RB 17

Nick Boyle TE 17

Eric Tomlinson TE 12

Trystan Colon C 6

Tony Poljan TE 6

Miles Boykin WR 3

Sammy Watkins WR 3

Jaryd Jones-Smith T 2

Observations: Murray played 29% of offensive snaps after playing 41% the previous week against the Green Bay Packers, while Freeman’s workload stayed the same. With Devin Duvernay out, Wallace played almost as many offensive snaps as he had in the previous 15 weeks combined, while Proche (seven catches on eight targets, 76 yards) reached his second-highest total of the season. Watkins played a minor role after coming off the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday. Mekari went back to a full workload after missing the previous two games because of a hand injury. Boyle played more snaps than Tomlinson for just the second time this season.

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Cincinnati Bengals' Tee Higgins (85) celebrates a touchdown reception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean) (Jeff Dean/AP)

Ravens defensive snap counts vs. Cincinnati Bengals 12/26/21

Chuck Clark SS 76

Kevon Seymour CB 75

Patrick Queen LB 70

Tyus Bowser LB 70

Daryl Worley CB 63

Tavon Young CB 58

Odafe Oweh LB 55

Josh Bynes LB 53

Broderick Washington DT 48

Tony Jefferson SS 47

Brandon Stephens FS 43

Brandon Williams NT 36

Justin Ellis DT 30

Jaylon Ferguson LB 27

Isaiah Mack NT 25

Joe Thomas LB 15

Anthony Levine SS 12

Anthony Averett CB 11

Kahlil McKenzie DT 10

Calais Campbell DE 8

Robert Jackson CB 5

Observations: This was the most unusual box score of the season for Don “Wink” Martindale’s defense, which was hit hard by the COVID-19 surge of the last two weeks. Clark played every snap after he came off the reserve/COVID-19 list. With Geno Stone out and Stephens playing a reduced role after a late-week illness, Jefferson shouldered his heaviest workload since 2019. With Averett sidelined by a rib injury, Worley played 83% of defensive snaps less than a week after he signed with the Ravens. Young played a season-high snap count after exiting concussion protocol earlier in the week. Oweh and Ferguson also played season-high snap counts on the edges as they covered for the absence of Justin Houston (reserve/COVID-19). With Justin Madubuike (reserve/COVID-19) out and Campbell limited by a hamstring injury, Washington and Mack saw their most substantial action of the year. With Chris Board on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Thomas played his first defensive snaps for the Ravens.