The Baltimore Ravens are off to a solid start to the 2023 NFL season. Considering all of the offensive holes and underproduction of certain players, the season is going better than it should be at this point. Two of the biggest reasons for the success are Lamar Jackson’s offense and the Ravens’ defense. Offensively, Jackson has been a one-man band. With close to 400 rushing yards and 1,300 passing yards, Jackson is pushing it to the limit. Unfortunately, Jackson doesn’t have much help on the offensive side of the ball. On the contrary, Baltimore’s defense has been a huge help.
The Ravens have been receiving help from some unlikely sources. Defensive tackle Justin Madubuike is on pace for a career year, already having 4.5 sacks less than halfway through the season. Veteran linebacker Kyle Van Noy has been a bright spot for the team, showcasing his championship prowess. In only a handful of games with the team, his presence has made a big difference for the oft-injured unit. Roquan Smith is doing a fantastic job controlling the trenches, and Kyle Hamilton is displaying his nose for the football. If Baltimore’s offense can string together some momentum, the team should be in great shape moving forward.
3 Players Propelling the Ravens Defense
Patrick Queen
Linebacker Patrick Queen has been all over the place this season. Queen is enjoying playing alongside running-mate Roquan Smith, as it frees him up to make plays like never before. So far, Queen has posted 3.5 sacks, 5 QB hits, and 5 tackles for losses. This season, Queen has shown a keen sense of awareness and an unwavering pursuit of ball carriers. Queen has 53 combined tackles through six weeks, which means he’s on pace for a career-high, possibly surpassing the mark of 117 that he set in 2022. The Ravens have not re-signed Queen, but are sure to put an offer on the table if he continues to play at this level.
Jadeveon Clowney
Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is undergoing a bit of a career resurgence in Baltimore. Although Clowney isn’t the pro-bowl talent he was once thought to be, he’s still an effective pass-rusher. Even when Clowney doesn’t show up in the stat sheet, he’s still doing things that disrupt the line of scrimmage. Clowney’s presence alone is enough to change an offensive play call, which can result in widely unnoticed advantages. This season, Clowney has already posted 3.5 sacks which is higher than his sack totals from three of the last four seasons. Clowney was not signed to be an anchor, but rather to help out. Luckily for Baltimore, he’s doing a little bit of both.
Geno Stone
Safety Geno Stone is having a year that he could have only dreamed of. With early season injuries to Marcus Williams and Marlon Humphrey, Stone was called upon to step up. Stone is a young player with four years of experience in the Raven’s system, so it’s no wonder why he’s been so effective. After a season-ending injury in 2020, Stone put together two solid years in 2021 and 2022. Steadily improving year by year, Stone is having his best season yet. Prior to this season, Stone had one career interception. This season alone, Stone has amassed three interceptions. As long as Baltimore’s secondary continues playing coverage by committee, there should be a no-fly zone all season long.
Main Photo: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
