Tag: Baltimore Ravens defense

Ravens have an eye-popping statistical disparity on defense

The statistical disparity between the Ravens rushing yardage allowed and passing yards allowed is truly something to behold.

A week ago, a reporter asked Baltimore Ravens strong safety Kyle Hamilton a question about his team’s problems defending the pass.

His answer referenced how good the Ravens are in shutting down the run:

“I don’t think we get caught up too much in numbers, but I think we’re knocking the run out so much that teams kind of abandon it,” he said.

“And that skews the passing numbers a little bit…because once you can’t run the ball, you got to pass it, or punt it.”

Looking at the chart below, you can see how much Hamilton is understating it all.

It’s not just that the Ravens are the top defense against the run but also dead last against the past.

It’s the fact that Baltimore is the best against the run by such a wide margin while also being the worst versus the pass by (again) a big gap.

Only a chart can genuinely do this phenomenon justice.

You see that purple bird logo, way off by itself, down in the right corner. The Ravens have allowed just 150 yards rushing this season, or 50 yards per game.

That’s very much elite!

Meanwhile, they’ve yielded 875 yards passing, or 291.7 yards per game. That’s very much abysmal.

They’re given up 1,025 total yards, or 341 ypg, which ranks 23rd overall.

That’s very much below average.

However, the Ravens average 430.3 yards per game, which is the top in the NFL.

They’re not just first; they’re first by a big margin, as the second-ranked Philadelphia Eagles put up 411.7 ypg.

When you add it all up, Hamilton is right—it’s not time to panic. This team could still be excellent. 

Ravens LB Roquan Smith is standing on business

Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith continues to lead a defense that ranks No. 1 in the NFL in points allowed per game.

Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith continues to lead a defense that ranks No. 1 in the NFL in points allowed per game.

The Ravens allowed just 10 points in the AFC Divisional Round versus the Houston Texans and Smith was in on seven tackles.

Just as quarterback Lamar Jackson is the leader on offense, Smith is the Ravens’ leader on defense. When defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald sends in the play call, Smith is responsible for relaying the call to the defense, making sure assignments are met.

Saturday, with all-pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey out, Smith’s vocal presence helped to elevate the play of reserve Ronald Darby. Darby held Texans’ wide receiver Nico Collins under 70 yards while inside linebacker Patrick Queen and Smith held Devin Singletary to just 22 rush yards. 

Queen and Smith combined for 12 tackles in the AFC Divisional game and their speed will have a huge impact on Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce in the AFC Championship.

Surely, Smith will be looking to make his presence felt against Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco next Sunday. Smith embodies the skill, physicality, and awareness to be endlessly disruptive. In front of M&T Bank Stadium this weekend the Chiefs better bring their A-game.

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Here’s what makes Ravens LB Patrick Queen very dynamic

Patrick Queen has been a key component to the Ravens on defense. Here’s a look at a few attributes that make him dynamic.

Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Patrick Queen has played terrific this season recording 73 solo tackles. He features as a key component to a Ravens defense that is allowing just 16.1 points per game.

Below are a few attributes that makes Queen a dynamic asset in the Ravens defensive scheme.

Ravens’ defense unshakeable in 20-10 win vs Chargers

The Ravens held the Chargers offense scoreless in the second and third quarter, sacked Justin Herbert three times, and forced three fumbles.

The Baltimore Ravens kept the Los Angeles Chargers offense nullified on Sunday night.

Holding the Chargers scoreless in the second and third quarters, the Ravens sacked quarterback Justin Herbert three times, forced three fumbles, and picked up one interception.

Chargers’ wide receiver, Keenan Allen had 14 catches for 106 yards, likely due to the absence of the Ravens’ defensive back, Marlon Humphrey.  Still, the Ravens held the Chargers to just one touchdown and just 26:37 total time of possession.

The Ravens offense converted just 30.7% of their third-down attempts.

However, the Baltimore defense was so unshakeable that the Chargers failed to build momentum. The Ravens now rank No. 2 in points allowed per game in the NFL. If this dominance continues, their chances of winning the AFC may materialize.

Ravens’ defense ranks No. 3 in pass yards allowed per game

The Baltimore Ravens will be tasked with stopping quarterback Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers offense in Week 13.

The Baltimore Ravens will be tasked with stopping quarterback Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers offense in Week 13. The Ravens’ defense has allowed opponents just 169 passing yards per game this season.

The Chargers are on a two-game losing streak and will be highly motivated to win versus a high-quality AFC opponent. The Chargers lost by three points to the Detroit Lions in Week 11 and were defeated 23-20 by the Green Bay Packers last week. The Chargers need to regain ground if they plan on making an AFC wild-card seed.

 
 
 
 
 
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The Ravens, on the other hand, beat up on a Cincinnati Bengals team that played the majority of their week 12 game without star quarterback Joe Burrow.

With tight-end Mark Andrews now injured, the Ravens will need to adjust their offensive strategy.  The Ravens should consider running the ball more often and using time of possession to get the defense some rest.

This season, when the Ravens defense has played more than 70 plays in a game, they have allowed an average of 28.5 points. The Ravens do not want to allow the Chargers to establish a lead in Week 12 and this goal starts with the pass defense. Defensive back Marlon Humphrey’s health may be a focal point heading into SoFi stadium.

Ravens rookie linebacker Trenton Simpson exits matchup vs. Browns with a concussion

Baltimore Ravens rookie linebacker Trenton Simpson exits matchup against Cleveland Browns with a concussion

Ravens rookie linebacker Trenton Simpson has been ruled out of the team’s Week 10 matchup against the Browns after suffering a concussion.

Baltimore hosts the Cincinnati Bengals on Amazon Prime’s Thursday Night Football in Week 11, meaning Simpson will also likely miss that matchup while working to clear concussion protocol.

The rookie from Oklahoma has two tackles in three appearances this season.

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Ravens defense has forced five total turnovers since week 7

Not only do the Ravens rank No.1 in opponents points allowed per game they have forced five total turnovers over their last three games.

The Baltimore Ravens defense has been the talk of the town for obvious reasons.

Not only do the Ravens rank No.1 in opponents points allowed per game, but they have forced five total turnovers over their last three games.

Defensive back Geno Stone has recorded six interceptions so far this season, and with the Cleveland Browns coming into town today, the ballhawk may be looking for more.

The Ravens must prepare for the dynamic skillset of Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who can escape pressure if need be.

Defensive Coordinator Mike MacDonald may use combo pressures to deceive Watson early on. Watson must make quick reads, and if he isn’t careful today, a game-changing interception may sway this game. Having forced turnovers in each of their last three games, the Ravens are hungry for more in week 10.

Lamar Jackson on the Ravens defense: They have no weakness

Ahead of Baltimore’s Week 10 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, star quarterback Lamar Jackson says the Ravens defense has no weakness

Sunday’s matchup at M&T Bank Stadium will feature the top two defensive units in the NFL statistically when the Ravens host the Browns in an intense Week 10 matchup.

Cleveland ranks first in yards allowed (234.8), the fewest allowed through nine weeks in 15 years.

Baltimore leads the league in points allowed (13.8), the lowest number this far into a season since its 2000 Super Bowl-winning defense.

During his post-practice sit down with the media, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was asked about his squad, and he didn’t hide the praise.

“Not trying to toot our own horn, but I believe our defense has no weakness,” Lamar Jackson said. “Just from the defensive line, the linebackers, the secondary, how they’re flying around and disguising defenses — making it look like one coverage, but it’s something else — and how they time up their blitzes, it helps us out a lot, because when we’re playing other teams, they’re flying around and giving us their best shot. It’s like we’re seeing one of the best defenses every day.”

Both defenses are coming off standout performances in Week 9, as the Browns allowed 58 total yards while recording their first shutout since 2007 in beating the Arizona Cardinals 27-0.

The Ravens allowed their fewest yards in five years when they held the Seattle Seahawks to 151 yards in a 37-3 victory.

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Ravens continue defensive dominance, win 38-6 over Lions

The Baltimore Ravens defense allowed just one touchdown to the Detroit Lions in week 7, winning emphatically 38-6.

Before today’s win, the Baltimore Ravens defense had been allowing just 12 points per game in their last three match-ups. Well, the Ravens defense allowed just one touchdown to the Detroit Lions in week 7, winning emphatically 38-6.

Despite the loathsome outing, the Lions offense still ranks  No. 7 in total points in 2023. So it’s fair to argue that the Ravens have one of the best defenses in the NFL.

Over the last four weeks, the Ravens defense has allowed only 12 of  the last 56 third-down attempts from opponents to convert. A 28-0 first-half lead allowed the Ravens pass rushers to let loose on the Lions.

Baltimore tallied five sacks on the afternoon and played with speed to sure tackle Lions skills players. Linebacker Roquan Smith featured on five tackles while safety Kyle Hamilton contributed six tackles. The speed and intuitive reactions of the Ravens defense simply overwhelmed the Lions who were forced to play a pass heavy scheme due to their early deficit.

Oct 22, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) rushes as Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen (6) defends during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Ravens DT Justin Madubuike 2019 Highlights

Watch highlights from Ravens 3rd round pick, DT Justin Madubuike 2019

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta made a point to bolster the defensive front seven this offseason, trading for Calais Campbell and signing Derek Wolfe in free agency. In a clear “best player available” pick, the Ravens selected Texas A&M DT Justin Madubuike, who is heralded as an elite force on the defensive line.

The Ravens need youth and depth on their defensive line, and Madubuike gets to hone his skills under the guide of names like Campbell and Brandon Williams.

The draft is about looking toward the future of the franchise, and DeCosta has once again proved masterful at being patient and making the call for the best player available at the appropriate pick — something he undoubtedly learned from the guide of his predecessor.

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