Ravens Use Guard Alignment to Turn Tight End Into 29‑Yard Target

Overview

• The Ravens ran the stunt in the first quarter of Sunday’s game at Huntington Bank Field, resulting in a 29-yard completion that led to Josh Cuevas’s touchdown.
• Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle had tight end Josh Cuevas line up at the left-guard spot but off the line of scrimmage so he remained a legal eligible receiver.
• Cuevas, a rarely used player who entered the game with three catches on the season, finished with four catches for 44 yards and the touchdown from the play.
• Analysts say the play was legal because of the NFL’s rules on player position at the snap and that opponents will study the film even though the tactic exploits a narrow technicality.
• Coaches caution the alignment is unlikely to be widely adopted because it sacrifices standard pass protection, exposes the offense to a pass rush, and depends on deception that defenses can correct.