Ravens defensive backs made few adjustments to prepare for EJ Manuel

OAKLAND, Calif. – It didn’t matter who was the Raiders’ starting quarterback. The Ravens found a way to create a brick wall, whether it was by pass or by run.

In defeating the Raiders 30-17 at Oakland Coliseum on Sunday, the Baltimore defense allowed 108 yards rushing and 137 yards passing. That was after they were unsure who would be behind center.

Regardless, the Ravens didn’t change their game plan.

“We figured whether (Carr) plays or not, we have to go out there and play,” Ravens safety Tony Jefferson said. “I don’t think we really were too worried about who was playing because, in our minds, we thought they were both really good quarterbacks.

“Either way, we knew that we had to be prepared.”

The questions started Monday, when Raiders coach Jack Del Rio announced Derek Carr had a transverse process fracture. He said the injury was expected the starting quarterback for 2-6 weeks. EJ Manuel quickly was announced as starter for Sunday’s game.

Then Carr returned to limited practice Thursday. His status was upgraded from out to questionable. Speculation followed if Carr was ready to come back early.

Yet when the inactive list was announced, Carr was declared out and Manuel got the start. Manuel completed 13 for 26 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown.

Baltimore defensive back Eric Weddle said he talked with Carr earlier in the week and thought the quarterback would be ready Sunday. Either way, Weddle said the Raiders offense didn’t change.

“They were going to run the same offense and they did which was good because they didn’t throw any wrinkles at us,” Weddle said. “They just ran what they ran.

“EJ made some good plays out there. He was impressive at times, and we just overwhelmed him at the end.”

Contact reporter Chris Booker at cbooker@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Bookerc94 on Twitter.