The Baltimore Ravens’ defense faced significant challenges last weekend, underscoring their struggles to play cohesively.
One notable issue arose during a pivotal third-down play late in the third quarter when linebacker Odafe Oweh was slow to set up. He was caught moving along the line of scrimmage as the ball was snapped, leaving a major gap that Cleveland’s Cedric Tillman exploited for a 22-yard touchdown.
“Those types of mistakes need to be minimized as the season progresses,” defensive coordinator Zach Orr stated. “The ball was centered, and the defensive line couldn’t get set. The offense’s quick pace caught us unprepared, leading to a poor outcome. We can’t just promise to learn from it; we have to prove we can improve.”
After suffering a 29-24 defeat to the Browns, which snapped their five-game winning streak, the Ravens face renewed pressure to address their defensive shortcomings.
The team has been adjusting to the absence of key players lost in the offseason, and with the 2024 season at its midpoint, the defense remains a work in progress. The Ravens are among the league’s worst, giving up an average of 361.3 yards and 26.1 points per game.
The departure of standout linebacker Patrick Queen and pass-rushing talent Jadeveon Clowney through free agency has compounded their issues. Additionally, coaching changes, including former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald leaving for a head coaching job in Seattle and two defensive assistants departing for coordinator roles elsewhere, have added to the challenge.
Despite the setbacks, the Ravens still boast strong players on defense: Nnamdi Madubuike on the line, Roquan Smith at linebacker, and Kyle Hamilton in the secondary provide a solid foundation. The season has been marked by unusual statistics, with the Ravens ranking first in run defense but last in pass defense — partly due to their high-scoring offense often putting opponents in a position to pass more.
Last weekend, Baltimore’s defense failed to secure leads of 10-6, 17-13, and 24-23 in the second half, allowing Jameis Winston to throw for 334 yards and three touchdowns. Missed interception opportunities, including one by Hamilton right before Cleveland’s game-winning score, further highlighted their struggles.
Hamilton noted that while turnovers are valuable, they don’t tell the whole story. “Interceptions are great, but they don’t capture the entire picture, and as a defense, we’re near the bottom of the league in passing yards allowed per game. You can’t rely on getting an interception on every drive,” he said.
This week, the Ravens face the Denver Broncos, a team with a solid defense and a rookie quarterback, Bo Nix, who has shown steady improvement. Following Winston’s performance, Baltimore cannot afford to underestimate any opponent.
The upcoming game is critical, as it’s the last before the trade deadline. The Ravens might explore potential roster changes in response.
“With the coaching staff and players we have, I truly believe things will come together at the right time,” Orr expressed. “And that will be crucial for us as we head into the latter part of the season.”
