Todd Monken's Playcalling Evolves Under Pressure for the Baltimore Ravens

As the Baltimore Ravens fought to keep their playoff hopes alive in the final weeks of the season, offensive coordinator Todd Monken faced a defining challenge: adapting his playcalling to fix the inconsistencies that had plagued the team in losses. Earlier in the year, Monken’s pass-heavy tendencies and rigid game plans drew criticism—from fans, analysts, and even subtle questions from players. But as the pressure mounted to secure a wild-card spot, film study and on-field results revealed a noticeable evolution: Monken began leaning into the Ravens’ strengths, simplifying schemes, and reacting dynamically to opponents. This shift wasn’t just about changing plays—it was about embracing the Ravens’ identity while still leveraging their offensive weapons. Todd Monken's Playcalling Evolves Under Pressure for the Baltimore Ravens explores how this evolution unfolded, the key adjustments Monken made, and why it’s breathed new life into the Ravens’ offense.

The first sign of Monken’s evolution came in the Ravens’ Week 16 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers—a must-win game that followed back-to-back losses. Film from earlier losses (like Week 15’s defeat to the Bengals) showed Monken abandoning the run game too early, even when Derrick Henry was productive. But against the Steelers, he flipped the script: Henry got 22 carries for 117 yards, and the Ravens ran the ball on 58% of their offensive plays. What stood out most, though, was the balance: Monken paired Henry’s power runs with well-timed play-action passes, keeping the Steelers’ defense off-balance. On the Ravens’ opening touchdown drive, Monken called three straight runs to Henry (gaining 18 yards), then hit Zay Flowers with a 15-yard play-action pass to set up a short touchdown run. “That’s the balance we’ve been missing,” said a former NFL offensive coordinator who analyzed the game. “Monken stopped forcing the pass and started letting the run game open things up.” After the game, Monken acknowledged the shift, saying, “We have to play to our strengths—and right now, our strength is Derrick Henry. It’s not about being stubborn; it’s about winning.” Todd Monken's Playcalling Evolves Under Pressure for the Baltimore Ravens emphasizes that this focus on balance was the first step in Monken’s evolution—and a critical one for the Ravens’ offense.

Another key part of Monken’s evolution was simplifying his playbook to reduce mistakes, especially in high-pressure situations. Earlier in the season, Monken’s complex schemes led to miscommunications: linemen missed blocks, receivers ran wrong routes, and Lamar Jackson was forced to ad-lib too often. But film from the Steelers game shows a streamlined approach: fewer pre-snap motions, more straightforward run concepts, and a focus on plays the offense had practiced extensively. For example, the Ravens relied heavily on “power” and “counter” runs—simple, effective plays that let the offensive line use its size and strength. On passing plays, Monken stuck to quick slants, outs, and screen passes—reducing the time Jackson had to hold the ball and lowering the risk of sacks or interceptions. “Simplifying doesn’t mean dumbing down—it means letting players play fast,” said a Ravens offensive assistant. “When the playbook is too complex, guys overthink. Now, they’re just reacting.” The results were clear: the Ravens had zero turnovers against the Steelers, and Jackson was sacked just once—down from an average of 2.5 sacks per game in their losses. Todd Monken's Playcalling Evolves Under Pressure for the Baltimore Ravens highlights that this simplification didn’t just cut down on mistakes—it let the Ravens’ talent shine through.

Monken’s evolution also included a greater willingness to adapt to opponents’ defenses mid-game—a change that has made the Baltimore Ravens’ offense more unpredictable. In the past, Monken often stuck to his pre-game plan even when it wasn’t working. But in the Week 17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals (a game that secured a playoff spot), he showed a new level of flexibility. Early in the game, the Bengals stacked the box to stop Henry, so Monken shifted to a pass-heavy attack: Jackson completed 12 of his first 15 passes for 140 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown to Mark Andrews. When the Bengals adjusted by dropping more defenders into coverage, Monken went back to Henry—who rushed for 85 yards in the second half, including a game-sealing 10-yard run. “That’s the adaptability we needed,” Jackson said after the game. “Todd was reading the defense and calling plays that worked—no matter what the original plan was.” For the Baltimore Ravens, this mid-game adjustment is a marked departure from earlier in the season, when the offense would stall if the initial plan failed. Todd Monken's Playcalling Evolves Under Pressure for the Baltimore Ravens shows that the Baltimore Ravens’ offense is now more resilient because Monken is willing to pivot—instead of doubling down on a losing strategy.

Monken has also evolved in his use of the Ravens’ full offensive arsenal, not just relying on Jackson and Henry. Earlier in the season, Monken often focused so much on Jackson’s scrambling and Henry’s running that he underutilized other playmakers like Andrews, Flowers, and rookie running back Rasheen Ali. But in recent weeks, he’s found ways to get all of them involved. Against the Bengals, Andrews caught 6 passes for 82 yards, Flowers had 4 catches for 55 yards, and Ali added 3 carries for 20 yards and a touchdown—giving the Bengals’ defense more threats to cover. “When you only focus on two players, defenses can key in on them,” Monken said. “We have too much talent to limit ourselves that way.” Film from the game shows Monken using creative packages to get playmakers the ball: he lined Andrews up in the slot to create mismatches with linebackers, used Flowers on end-arounds to exploit his speed, and gave Ali short passes out of the backfield to let him use his elusiveness. For the Baltimore Ravens, this focus on spreading the ball around has made the offense harder to defend—and more fun to watch for fans. Todd Monken's Playcalling Evolves Under Pressure for the Baltimore Ravens underscores that the Baltimore Ravens’ offense is now a true team effort, thanks to Monken’s willingness to trust all his playmakers.

Finally, Monken’s evolution has been driven by a greater collaboration with players—something that has boosted morale and buy-in for the Baltimore Ravens’ offense. Earlier in the season, Monken was criticized for being too top-down, not listening to Jackson’s input or Henry’s feedback. But in recent weeks, he’s held regular meetings with key players to get their thoughts: Jackson shares what defenses are doing to him on the field, Henry talks about what run concepts feel most effective, and Andrews weighs in on how to create mismatches. “Todd’s been asking for our input, and that means a lot,” Henry said. “When you feel like your voice is heard, you play harder.” This collaboration was evident in the Bengals game: after Jackson mentioned that the Bengals were blitzing more from the right side, Monken adjusted by calling more screen passes to the left—exploiting the empty space left by the blitz. For the Baltimore Ravens, this player-coach collaboration has turned the offense from “Monken’s system” into “our system”—a shift that has made everyone more invested in its success. Todd Monken's Playcalling Evolves Under Pressure for the Baltimore Ravens concludes that the Baltimore Ravens’ offense is in a far better place because of Monken’s evolution. He’s no longer trying to force his style on the team—he’s adapting his style to fit the team’s strengths. As the Ravens head into the playoffs, this evolution could be the difference between a short run and a deep push for the Super Bowl. For Monken, it’s a reminder that great playcalling isn’t about being clever—it’s about being flexible, collaborative, and focused on winning.