{"id":147616,"date":"2023-09-23T11:00:27","date_gmt":"2023-09-23T15:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=147616"},"modified":"2023-09-22T13:41:19","modified_gmt":"2023-09-22T17:41:19","slug":"ravens-defense-2023-dominant-despite-injuries-kyle-hamilton-mike-macdonald-roquan-smith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/09\/23\/ravens-defense-2023-dominant-despite-injuries-kyle-hamilton-mike-macdonald-roquan-smith\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cDisguise and Chaos\u201d \u2013 How the Ravens Defense are Continuing Upward Trend in 2023 Despite Major Losses"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Baltimore Ravens defense are thriving at the start of the 2023 season, continuing their impressive form from the back end of 2022. While the Houston Texans<\/a> have a rookie quarterback and the Cincinnati Bengals<\/a> have seemed lacklustre, it remains true that the Baltimore defense\u2019s class has shone through despite some key injuries.<\/p>\n

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Prior to the start of the season, it was revealed that cornerstone<\/a> defensive back Marlon Humphrey had suffered an injury that would force him to miss the start of the year. With the position group already thin prior to the All Pro\u2019s injury, his inevitable absence seemed a daunting scenario for Ravens fans before the start of the season.<\/p>\n

The Ravens luck did not improve after the commencement of the 2023 regular season, however, as key safety Marcus Williams went down<\/a> in Week 1. While there have been positive signs<\/a> regarding his timeline to return, losing two key playmakers in the secondary would cripple most defensive backfields.<\/p>\n

Week 2 did not mark the end of the injury woes. Odafe Oweh went down with an ankle injury and left Paycor Stadium in a walking boot. John Harbaugh said that Oweh was dealing with an ankle sprain, meaning the former first-round pick could miss some time too.<\/p>\n

While those have been the headliners, the depth has taken some hits too. Ar\u2019Darius Washington was recently placed on IR. Malik Hamm and Damarion Williams have also been on the IR since the start of the season. Meanwhile, Tyus Bowser is on the NFI list.<\/p>\n

Despite a wide plethora of injuries, the Ravens defense has been beyond solid so far. Sportsnaut<\/em>\u2019s Matt Johnson currently has them ranked as the NFL\u2019s sixth best defense<\/a>. Their success has largely come down to strength in depth, schematics and, of course, an abundance of elite talent.<\/p>\n

Baltimore’s defensive unit will look to continue its good form in Week 3 against a banged-up Indianapolis Colts<\/a> side. As Humphrey and Williams return, expect the Ravens defense to improve even more through the 2023 season.<\/p>\n

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How the Baltimore Ravens Defense Have Maintained Elite Form in 2023 Amidst Adversity<\/h2>\n

Mike MacDonald\u2019s Magic<\/h3>\n

The understated mastermind of Baltimore\u2019s juggernaut defense is Mike MacDonald, the incumbent defensive coordinator. MacDonald, 36, is now in his second year of calling the team\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n

Over the first two games of the season, MacDonald has been more adventurous in his playcalling. While he sticks to a rigid split-safety coverage, the perceived dogmatic formation is merely a way to disguise coverages and blitzes.<\/p>\n

Kyle Hamilton stood out as the team\u2019s starting slot corner down the stretch of last season. However, this year, MacDonald has opened the playbook up. Hamilton has lined up all over the place and been effectively used to mask defensive playcalls. MacDonald\u2019s effective deployment of Hamilton has been crucial to giving the Ravens defense more fluidity and versatility<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Hamilton is not the only chess piece that MacDonald has been toying with, however. ESPN\u2019s Mina Kimes recently gave rave reviews on MacDonald\u2019s use of the \u201cbest linebacker duo\u201d<\/a> in the league. Kimes observed that much of the Bengals\u2019 offensive struggles in Week 2 were down to the \u201cdisguise and chaos\u201d caused in the front seven by MacDonald\u2019s \u201cweaponized\u201d linebackers<\/a>. Stunts, fake blitzes, mixed coverages and delayed rushes were all part of the huge arsenal that MacDonald deployed upon Joe Burrow and the Bengals offensive line.<\/p>\n

MacDonald drew some attention at the end of 2022. However, in 2023, he has shown that his elite defense can remain consistent. Will Baltimore be able to keep MacDonald a secret? Or is he destined for a head coaching job<\/a> in the near future? Peter Schrager\u2019s nomination of MacDonald as Week 2\u2019s coach of the week suggests that the latter is likely, despite MacDonald being just 36.<\/p>\n

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The @PSchrags<\/a> Coach of the Week for Week 2… @Ravens<\/a> Defensive Coordinator Mike Macdonald <\/p>\n

"Injuries everywhere. No problem. The Ravens D found a way." pic.twitter.com\/bjVK4UFGkm<\/a><\/p>\n

— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) September 18, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n