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HOT TAKES: Ravens are Losing in The Trenches

Wednesday, September 17, 2025 10:33
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Bum-rush or Bum Rush

Britannica defines bum-rush as an attack or move toward (someone or something) in a forceful and violent way. If only the Ravens defensive front could perfect the art of bum-rush. It will be interesting to observe how Zach Orr along with pass rush specialist Chuck Smith develop the Ravens lackluster pass rush moving forward, particularly without Kyle Van Noy.

Opposing quarterbacks have dropped back to pass no less than 94 times in 2 games (not including QB scrambles) v. the Ravens and the purple and black have gotten home just 3 times. Making this even more alarming, is that fact that during both games so far, the Ravens had commanding leads in the second half and forced both the Bills and the Browns to be one-dimensional offensively. That should have been the equivalent of low-hanging fruit!

Generally speaking, the Ravens do a great job of assembling their roster. But defensively, they build the roster from the back forward. In other words, they seem to place greater emphasis on the secondary than they do the defensive front, the idea of course being to force opposing quarterbacks to hold the ball a bit longer to allow the pass rush to get home.

But if the Ravens want to beat the best teams in the AFC, they need to disrupt the Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen’s of the world with four defenders. The Eagles provided the blueprint, yet the Ravens chose to ignore it. So now, they’ll be forced to wait, watch and hope that Odafe Oweh, David Ojabo and Adisa Isaac (when he returns) deliver upon expectations.

In the meantime, we’ll be watching Jadeveon Clowney in Dallas to see how he impacts the Cowboys ability to pressure opposing QBs. Maybe that money spent on Jaire Alexander would have been better spent on Clowney. Time will tell but there’s little doubt through 2 games, that the Ravens really don’t have a bum-rush. They have a bum rush.

Pass Pro

On the flipside, the Ravens offensive line has issues stopping an opponent’s bum-rush. Cleveland’s defensive front dismantled the Ravens O-line. They did it in the run game and they did it while Ronnie Stanley & Co. tried to keep Lamar upright. If Lamar wasn’t the athlete he is, one or two across the Ravens offensive front might be reserves at best, street free agents at worst.

Against the Browns and to his credit, OC Todd Monken changed things up a bit with his play calling to provide relief for his overmatched front. He used boots, waggles and a moving pocket to create some space between Lamar and the Browns D-linemen. But that’s a temporary fix that future opponents can prepare for. The strategy does however limit the playbook by cutting the field in half. It also handcuffs the team’s capable tight ends since they are often asked to stay back in pass pro or even chip defenders before getting into their routes. That may explain in part why Mark Andrews has 2 catches for 7 yards in two games.

1st-and-Goal

On their first possession of the second half, Lamar connected with DeAndre Hopkins for an apparent touchdown that was overturned and ruled down at the 1 at the 13:21 mark of the third quarter.

[Related Article: The Good, Bad & Ugly From the Ravens 41-17 Win Over the Browns]

Three plays later the Ravens faced a 4th-and-goal at the Browns 14. Enter Tyler Loop to kick a 32-yard field goal.

A team with Lamar Jackson and Derek Henry and they fail to score a touchdown despite the 1st-and-goal at the one? That’s embarrassing and another indictment upon the offensive line.

Lamar Still a WIP?

When he arrived on the scene, some believed that Lamar Jackson should take up the position of wide receiver. Others mocked his passing skills, disparagingly labeling him a running back. Now that he is the NFL’s all-time leader in passer rating, he’s quieted most critics.

Now the narrative is that Lamar can’t win big games and clearly, that’s the next mountain wall that LJ8 will need to scale. And as he navigates his unique path toward the next plateau, something that has emerged is his seemingly newfound willingness to trust his receivers to make a play.

In the past when receivers have been tightly covered, Lamar would more than likely tuck the ball in and take off. Now, with players like DeAndre Hopkins, he has faith in his pass catchers to either make the catch or prevent the opponent from taking it away.

Here’s a scary thought for anyone not donning a Ravens uniform. The two-time MVP is still a work in progress, still getting better!

Transparent Marlo

With a few ticks north of the 5-minute mark of the 3rd quarter, the Browns, trailing 20-3, faced a 4th-and-2 at the Ravens 18-yard line. Joe Flacco’s ill-advised pass intended for rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr should have been intercepted by Marlon Humphrey. Instead, Humphrey dropped it and it landed in the waiting arms of Browns WR Cedric Tillman.

Even if Marlon makes the catch, his momentum would have carried him out of bounds at the 2-yard line. Humphrey is in his 9th season as a professional. Accomplished veterans like him should know down and distance. Knocking the ball down would have given the Ravens the ball on the 18-yard line. Instead, it became a 20-10 game and gave the Browns some life.

Champions don’t make plays like this, but to his credit, Humphrey owned it. The question is, will he learn from it?

A Slice of Baltimore

If you’ve paid attention, the Inner Harbor and its once majestic tourist attractions just aren’t what they used to be. Without debating the reasons why, it only takes a casual stroll along Pratt and Light Streets to know that it’s true. It puts a dent in our civic pride. And that’s why I appreciated CBS’ view of Baltimore from the water during Sunday’s broadcast. It reminded me of what the Inner Harbor once was – a Baltimore tradition. It gave me hope that it could be that again.

During TV timeouts, CBS also reminded us of another Baltimore tradition – Jimmy’s Famous Seafood.

Not only do owners John and Tony Minadakis and staff do an amazing job with their service and culinary delights, they also provide a perfect venue for Ravens games both at home an on the road. Jimmy’s is the perfect place to watch a Ravens game, they also feature many Ravens-related events and all-inclusive road trips to away games.

There’s a reason why Ravens players and the team’s headquarter staff frequent Jimmy’s Famous Seafood. If you’ve been there, you know why. If you haven’t, treat yourself and stop missing out.

Bum-rush your way there!

The post HOT TAKES: Ravens are Losing in The Trenches appeared first on Russell Street Report.


Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2025/09/17/tltakes/hot-takes-ravens-are-losing-in-the-trenches/


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