Four Reasons the Ravens Defensive Turnaround is Real

Following a humiliating loss against Houston in which the lowly Texans’ offense dropped 44 points in Baltimore, the Ravens defense as we know them was at rock bottom. A no-name wide receiver named Jaylin Noel not only scored a touchdown – he proceeded to do the Ray Lewis squirrel dance in the end zone where the dance was made famous.

At that point, I was witnessing the worst defense I’ve seen since the 1996 Ravens. But that initial defense at least put up an effort every week. In that particular Houston game 30 seasons later, it seemed like the entire unit had just about given up.

Over the next four games though, the defense has displayed some real fight and pride. In short, what we’re used to seeing from the Ravens.

The defensive turnaround over the last four games has consisted of:

• Allowing fewer than 20 points in each game and an average of 14.5
• Generating 8 turnovers
• Holding ever opposing QB under 300 yards

The defense has also been much better in the red zone and on third down.

Give credit where credit is due: the front office and coaching staff made a concentrated effort to make key personnel changes that directly influenced schematic changes from Zach Orr.

Is the sudden change just a byproduct of playing a softer schedule? Perhaps.

But there’s good reason to think it goes well beyond that, given the type of changes made and the likely sustainability to come.

Here are four reasons for the turnaround and why it should remain:

1. Weapon X is back

It’s incredible that a singular player has impacted two defensive transformations in back-to-back seasons but that’s what safety Kyle Hamilton has done. But now, Hamilton is in his more natural element, playing the “Star” role – which is essentially positionless.

Like 2023, when Hamilton was in a similar role, lining up all over, he’s back to having freedom to roam. But in 2023, Hamilton still seemed to play more deep coverage at times. Over the past month, he’s mostly at the line, in the box or in shallow coverage.

Hamilton is such a unique player that he’s rushed and engaged offensive linemen and won those matchups.

Multiple #Ravens winning a pass rush rep?

IN THIS ECONOMY!? pic.twitter.com/famEO6GQBG

— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) November 10, 2025

With the trade acquisition of safety Alohi Gilman from the Chargers, and rookie Malaki Starks staying in a centerfield role, Hamilton can practically do what he wants to hunt and play the run closer to the line.

At times, it looks like Hamilton is simply reading the pre-snap line movement and making the executive decision to shoot a gap or blitz, based on his diagnosis or pure instincts. This is a scary proposition for opposing offensive coordinators. There’s no way to game plan against that.

Truly, just like Weapon X, you don’t know what Hamilton is going to do. And you’d be hard-pressed to name a more dynamic, unpredictable force in the league.

2. Corners are Sharp

The Hamilton move has had a net benefit to the entire secondary (as well as the pass rush, which I’ll get to in a moment). Because the safeties are all aligned in their correct spots, the corners are also naturally where they should be.

Specifically, with Hamilton playing slot, and three safeties on the field, there’s a boundary corner rotation between Nate Wiggins, Marlon Humphrey and Chidobe Awuzie.

All three corners offer physical, press corner ability. There’s no ambiguity on how the rotation works, which was more the case when Awuzie was injured and the team was figuring out what to do with Jaire Alexander.

In perhaps the most impressive showing of the year against Minnesota, this trio shut down Justin Jefferson, holding him to four catches for 37 yards.

Orr has been able to play the corners to their strengths and they’ve responded, giving the DC a legit counter to some of the game’s best WR groups.

3. Pass Rush Has More Juice

The Gilman trade not only opened up playing Hamilton closer to the line, but it also removed Odafe Oweh from the team. In turn, the coaches gave those snaps to rookie Mike Green. And they made a move to add edge Dre’Mont Jones from Tennessee.

Not only is it addition by subtraction, it’s also addition by addition.

Green has been getting better and better every week. His pass rush plan was special coming out of college. And it’s been on display more often – the chop, the dip, the spin. He also looks freer to rush without handling other responsibilities. And with Jones in the mix, that only helps him get more one-on-one matchups.

We got a glimpse of how Orr wants to use Jones to, in his words, “hunt for matchups.” Jones is a chess piece who can rush from either side of the line, rush with his hand down, rush from a standup position, and rush as defensive tackle next to Travis Jones.

Dre’Mont Jones with a CLEAN win as a 4T

Really nice to have this flexibility to get some extra juice inside with Travis Jones at the 1T on passing downs.#RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/aVsRzoaCrv

— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) November 10, 2025

He’s an explosive player who had a direct impact in obvious passing downs against the Vikings, forcing J.J. McCarthy out of the pocket. He also helped the other Jones face less blocking attention.

With veteran rusher Carl Lawson also slated to play soon, this group looks alive after the devastating loss of DT Justin Madubuike following the first two games of the season.

4. The Stars are Starring and the Rookies are Shining

There’s no sugarcoating it, but inside linebacker Roquan Smith is playing much, much better this season than he did last season. Maybe that’s related to his physical conditioning. Maybe that’s also related to some underlying health issues he was dealing with.

But he’s back to patrolling the middle of the field, getting to ball carriers in space and even covering passes better, most recently just missing a game-sealing interception against the Vikings.

What’s also helped Smith is playing next to rookie Teddye Buchanan. Buchanan has been the perfect foil. He attacks downhill, is an explosive wrap-up tackler, and plays the run well.

Buchanan, Starks and Green are all playing at a high level with the starting roles they’ve earned. But you’re also seeing the star players – Smith, Hamilton – playing at a high level, with T.Jones and Wiggins emerging as potential stars in their own right.

With that development, the defensive turnaround is not just smoke and mirrors, but a true talent changeover that should remain on an upward trajectory, even as they face better quarterbacks and offenses later this season.

I will put myself on the line & say the #Ravens defense is for real. Yes, schedule is watered down. But there have been real personnel changes.

Rookie trio has been good & will only get better. D. Jones adds a lot imo.

And your top guys – KHam, Roquan, TJones – playing well.

— Dev Panchwagh (@devpanchwagh) November 10, 2025

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