Tag: kyle van noy

Kyle Van Noy: Saquon Barkley giving Giants the ‘middle finger’

Baltimore Ravens LB Kyle Van Noy believes Eagles RB Saquon Barkley is giving the New York Giants the “middle finger” each time he plays.

The Philadelphia Eagles are headed to Super Bowl LIX but that storyline seems almost secondary to that of running back Saquon Barkley, his success, and how it reflects on the New York Giants.

Nearly a year removed from their split, it’s still the primary topic of conversation in NFL circles. Whether it’s Tom Brady, Austin Ekeler, or even Barkley’s own mother, everyone feels the need to chime in.

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy is the latest, adding his two cents during a recent episode of Yahoo Sports’ McCoy & Van Noy Podcast.

“I just want to give my kudos to Saquon. How he’s handled this whole situation has been just first-class,” Van Noy said. “Always love to the Giants, but he’s like, you know what, I got a new family. I got the Eagles. I’m gonna put the Eagles on my back like I did the Giants … and go all the way.

“He’s used this year as a middle finger year. I literally see that in his play, the enthusiasm he has each and every time he gets the ball.”

Long-time Philadelphia Eagles running back and Giants nemesis, LeSean McCoy, agreed.

“It would give me so much gratification,” he said of sticking it to a former team.

The mere thought of Barkley wearing an Eagles uniform was enough to cost Giants co-owner John Mara some sleep. One can only imagine how much he’s struggling right now with Barkley on the brink of winning the Eagles a title while everyone in football piles on.

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Ravens edge rusher Kyle Van Noy named to his first Pro Bowl

Baltimore Ravens pass rusher Kyle Van Noy has been named to the Pro Bowl Games and is replacing T.J. Watt, who is unable to participate due to injury.

Kyle Van Noy led the Ravens elite pass rush, and the NFL veteran was rewarded with his first Pro Bowl appearance.

Baltimore’s most impactful defensive player will replace an injured T.J. Watt.

Van Noy gets the nod after finishing this season with 12.5 sacks.

Sights and sounds from first half as Bills hold a 21-10 lead over Ravens in divisional round

Sights and sounds from first half as Bills hold a 21-10 lead over Ravens in divisional round

The first half appeared to be a reverse of Week 4, and two Lamar Jackson turnovers played a pivotal part in Baltimore trailing 21-10 after 30 minutes of football in Buffalo. The Bills held the Ravens to 73 yards rushing in the first half and 28 offensive plays. According to Next Gen Stats, Jackson has been under pressure on over half of his dropbacks (54.5%) for the first time since Week 4, 2023. He’s been pressured 6 times and sacked once on 11 dropbacks (as of Damar Hamlin’s strip sack).

With the second half underway, here are seven takeaways from the first 30 minutes.

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Josh Allen will want to avoid Ravens LB Kyle Van Noy in AFC Divisional

Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy led the team in total sacks with 12.5 in 2024.

Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy led the team in total sacks with 12.5 in 2024. Soft-spoken, Van Noy has thrived as a game-wrecking force for defensive coordinator Zach Orr, who will be looking to contain Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen this Sunday.

With teammate Nnamdi Madubuike on the inside and Odafe Oweh on the opposite, Orr uses a swarm attack to contain opposing quarterbacks and keep them inside the numbers. The Bills’ O-line protected Josh Allen exceptionally in the AFC wildcard game, but he still was sacked twice—a key point to remember versus the novice Broncos opponent.

Linebacker Roquan Smith mentioned in an interview on NFL Network earlier this week that the Ravens wanted to make a goal of stopping the run and forcing the Bills to be one-dimensional on offense.

Expect Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady to use quick pass plays, screens, and misdirection to nullify the defensive line’s intensity. If not, Van Noy and company may weary the Bills offensive line as the game progresses.

Ravens’ Roquan Smith ain’t buying what Bills HB James Cook is selling

Buffalo Bills HB James Cook and Baltimore Ravens LB Roquan Smith are scheduled for a meet and greet in the AFC Divisional Round.

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith means business when his chin strap and helmet are on. Allowing just 80.1 rush yards per game this season, Smith and the Ravens ranked No. 1 versus the run all year.

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is ultra-talented, and his swift cuts and churning legs make him a massive factor of concern for the Ravens’ defense. Smith, however, will be ready to meet and greet Cook, preferably in the backfield before she starts.

Last weekend, the Bills dictated the pace, tallying 26 first downs and winning the time of possession against the Denver Broncos with a total hold time of just over 41 minutes. Cook contributed to the endeavors by producing 120 yards on 23 carries, and his backup running back, Tyus Johnson, also had 44 rush yards.

Denver had 79 rushing yards last weekend, likely due to the Broncos’ inability to sustain offensive drives.  Sean Payton’s team converted just two of their nine third-down attempts, allowing the Bills to silk the clock and impose their offensive will. 

With Smith piloting the agenda on the Ravens’ defense, one would have to be drunk off a gallon of Jim Bean to believe the Bills will come anywhere near 200 rushing yards in the AFC Divisional Round. However, Cook will be asked to make his impact in the ground game to make things more manageable for quarterback Josh Allen in passing situations.

AFC Divisional Round: Ravens’ All-Pro Marlon Humphrey is ready for war

Baltimore Ravens DB Marlon Humphrey knows the time is now and his decision lessen his internet podcast and focus is paying off.

Baltimore Ravens defensive back Marlon Humphrey has been the All-Pro player his team needed in 2024. Plagued last season by injury, and the distraction of his punchline podcast, Humphrey has shown an ability to refocus and be the staple in the defensive secondary.

Humphrey totaled six interceptions this season and ranked No. 3 in the entire NFL category. Humphrey’s 15 pass deflections also rank him in No. 9 amongst league defenders. Knowing that the Ravens have two all-pro defensive backs anchoring their secondary and a developing supporting cast to contribute to the team’s endeavors is imperative. 

Humphrey has been operating as a slot defender in defensive coordinator Zach Orr’s passing defense for most of the season. In the slot, Humphrey has excelled, taking away the immediate and easiest targets for opposing quarterbacks by playing smothering man coverage. The Ravens’ defense has resurged with Humphrey locking down and the front seven working steadily in the pass rush.

Sunday, Humphrey will need to have his best game versus Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. As the Ravens look to keep their Super Bowl aspirations alive, their defense must be the iron door that allows the offense to pull away in this game.

Nnamdi Madubuike is coming for Josh Allen; Ravens rank No. 2 in sacks

Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen better watch for Baltimore Ravens DT Nnamdi Madubuike to avoid being overly sacked in the AFC Divisional Round.

Newsflash: The Baltimore Ravens know how to get home to the quarterback. Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike tallied 6.5 sacks this season. While outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy led the Ravens with 12.5 of the team’s 54 on the season, the amount of attention Madubuike demands on the inside is a catalyst.

Madubuike would not be denied in the AFC Wild Card game. He pushed vehemently through the Steelers’ run-blocking and conjured two sacks. Teammate defensive tackle Michael Pierce was also in on the action, getting his first career post-season sack. Madubuike totaled 14 tackles for loss in 2024, so the Buffalo Bills might want to think twice if they expect to run the ball down the Ravens’ throats like they did against the Denver Broncos.

Despite Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s success in the AFC Wild Card win, the Broncos still were able to sack Allen twice in the loss. Allen and the Bills dictated the pace with 26 first downs, but they will be up against a much more experienced, hungry, and potent opponent with Madubuike and the Ravens in the AFC Divisional Round.

As ESPN’s Jeff Saturday said this week, this match-up will depend on who operates more efficiently in the trenches. Madubuike and his comrades are most definitely scheduled for a major collision with the Bills’ offensive line.

Ravens rookie CB Nate Wiggins must excel in man coverage vs. Bills

Baltimore Ravens rookie Nate Wiggins was drafted No. 30 overall for moments just like this. Wiggins must play big versus the Buffalo Bills.

Baltimore Ravens rookie defensive back Nate Wiggins must hold his own versus the shifty Buffalo Bills wide receivers in the AFC Divisional Round. Bills wide receivers Amari Cooper, Curtis Samuel, Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakur, and Mack Hollins pose serious threats in the opponent’s pass attack.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen has enough intelligence and throwing accuracy to thread the needle, so Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr will not be able to sit in soft zone coverage. Instead, Orr may ask Wiggins, teammate defensive back Marlon Humphrey, and Brandon Stephens to buckle up and play man coverage while he schemes up advantages in the pass rush.

Wiggins tallied 13 pass deflections during the season, ranking No. 13 in the NFL. Avoiding penalties will be very important, but Wiggins will need to be physical and handsy with the Bills bunch if the Ravens are going to stop the Bills passing attack.

Wiggins was selected No. 30 overall in the 2024 NFL draft to be effective for the pass defense. Humphrey needed a journeyman to help him and safety Kyle Hamilton sow up the problems on the back end. It’s time for Wiggins to make it happen when it matters most.

Roquan Smith & Ravens’ Zach Orr can build off the defensive encore

Baltimore Ravens DC Zach Orr continues to thrive with LB Roquan Smith orchestrating plays that has the team defense fully optimized.

Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr and linebacker Roquan Smith have fully amalgamated after 18 weeks of NFL football. The Ravens led the entire NFL in opponent rush yards allowed per game this season, and their dominance over the Pittsburgh Steelers offense in the AFC Wild Card round was yet another indication of performance.

Orr and Smith just aren’t allowing anybody to pummel the Ravens up front when it comes to defending the run. Orr likes to stuff opponents on first and second downs, force them into passing situations, and then unleash his pass rush that has rendered 54 sacks this season. The 54 sacks helped the team rank No. 2 in the NFL in sacks this season.

Last night, the Steelers had 29 rushing yards through 11 carries. With the Ravens’ offense firing on all cylinders, Orr can continue the onslaught, forcing opponents into one-dimensional play-calling and frustration.

In hindsight, Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson did finish the game, having completed 20 of his 29 pass attempts, including two impressive touchdown passes. However, Orr is doing his best to accommodate the flaws in the defense’s back end by ensuring he coaches his team to give up minimal yards and points.

Top photos from Ravens 28-14 win over the Steelers in AFC Wild Card game

Top photos from the Baltimore Ravens 28-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Wild Card game

The Ravens are peaking at the right time and look like the most complete team in the AFC after a 28-14 win over the rival Steelers on Saturday night at M&T Bank Stadium.

Baltimore will now wait for Sunday afternoon’s conclusion of the Buffalo Bills’ matchup against the Denver Broncos. If the Bills win, the Ravens will travel to Buffalo, while a Broncos win will see John Harbaugh’s team host the Houston Texans next week.

Here are the top photos from the win.

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