OWINGS MILLS — Ravens tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely did not show prominently on the stat sheet against the Dallas Cowboys.
However, both players had key roles in the 28-25 victory in Week 3. Andrews and Likely were effective perimeter blockers who helped the Ravens run for 274 yards on 45 carries.
Coach John Harbaugh lauded the performance of the tight ends and the wide receivers for their blocking.
“The perimeter blocking was OK the first two weeks, [but] it was outstanding in the game [Sunday],” Harbaugh said. “Let me tell you what, Mark Andrews might have had three [or] four pancakes. Isaiah Likely – he was out there reaching guys. The wide receivers had our best blocking game in a long time. I mean those guys were blocking.
“I can think of Nelson Agholor coming down and getting a free safety right over the ball one time, which you don’t see that too often. ‘Zay’ [Isaiah] Likely cracking down on defensive ends.”
Andrews had just one target from quarterback Lamar Jackson that fell incomplete. Likely caught his sole target for 4 yards.
It’s a far cry from their usual production. Andrews is a three-time Pro Bowler who has been the Ravens’ most consistent pass-catcher over the past several seasons. Likely set career-highs with nine receptions for 111 yards and scored a 49-yard touchdown in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Harbaugh said sometimes their opportunities to catch the ball are going to be limited because of the game plan. Harbaugh is confident the players are pulling in the same direction toward winning.
“There’s one ball carrier, and there are 10 blockers, so to speak,” Harbaugh said. “I mean, even Lamar [Jackson]’s a blocker when he carries out a fake, say. You’re all helping the ball carrier one way or another, and our guys are really buying into that, and that’s something that we have to keep building on.”
