{"id":147892,"date":"2023-10-03T10:30:35","date_gmt":"2023-10-03T14:30:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=147892"},"modified":"2023-10-02T21:07:03","modified_gmt":"2023-10-03T01:07:03","slug":"ravens-defense-week-4-browns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/10\/03\/ravens-defense-week-4-browns\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside Look At How This Unit Powered Ravens to Week 4 Win"},"content":{"rendered":"

After last week’s tough loss to the Gardner Minshew-led Indianapolis Colts, the\u00a0<\/span>Baltimore Ravens<\/span><\/a> were looking to get back in the win column as soon as possible. B<\/span>altimore would face another backup quarterback and second rookie quarterback this season in\u00a0<\/span>Dorian Thompson-Robinson<\/span>. Browns starter\u00a0<\/span>Deshaun Watson<\/span> missed the game due to a shoulder injury, so the Ravens defense had an opportunity to take advantage of an inexperienced passer. That is precisely what they, especially the defense, did in Baltimore’s 28-3 shellacking of the Browns and took sole possession of first place in the AFC North.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Defense Leads The Ravens To Win Over The Browns<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

Ravens Defense Powered By Pass Rush<\/span><\/h3>\r\n

Right from the opening minute of the first quarter, the Ravens defense applied pressure on the rookie quarterback and made his day difficult. New signing\u00a0<\/span>Kyle Van Noy<\/span>\u00a0certainly made his presence felt on the opening drive, getting after Robinson, and Van Noy would continue to do that all game long.\u00a0<\/span>Jadeveon Clowney<\/span>\u00a0was also a force against his former team. There were times when Clowney didn’t finish plays, which needs to be cleaned up, but you saw the number 24 all over the field. The Ravens’ pass rush sacked Robinson three times and applied eight quarterback hits. It was the Ravens’ pass rush at their most robust they’ve been all season so far, and they did it without\u00a0<\/span>David Ojabo<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Odafe <\/span>O<\/span>weh<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Ravens Middle Linebackers Have Big Day<\/span><\/h3>\r\n

The Ravens know what having a good duo at middle linebacker is like.\u00a0<\/span>Ray Lewis<\/span>\u00a0and his pair of partners such as Jamie Sharper, Edgerton Hartwell, Bart Scott, and Jameel McClain. and Darnell Ellerbe come to mind. As well as the pair C.J. Mosley and Daryl Smith. For the past season and a half,\u00a0<\/span>Roquan Smith<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Patrick Queen’s tag team has impacted<\/span>\u00a0Baltimore’s defense, and they each had a big day on Sunday.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Smith led the Ravens in tackles with ten with one for a loss, had a hit on Robinson, had two pass deflections, and was genuinely all over the field. Queen had five tackles, with three for a loss and a\u00a0<\/span>sack<\/span><\/a>. Both players have been great over the middle and tackling machines with speed and tenacity. Queen is off to the best start of his career, and if he keeps this up, he’ll parlay it into a nice contract in the offseason.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Three Interceptions By Ravens Banged Up Secondary\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\r\n

Baltimore’s secondary entered this game a bit suspect, with injuries to\u00a0<\/span>Marlon Humphrey<\/span> and Marcus Williams. While Williams returned to practice and is on the way back, he missed this contest with Cleveland. In their absence, the Ravens defense stepped up with a three-interception day by Brandon Stephens, Geno Stone, and Kyle Hamilton. Stephens’ pick was <\/span>significant\u00a0<\/span>as he returned 52 yards to the Browns 10-yard line. He was setting up the first of two Lamar Jackson rushing touchdowns on the day. Stone’s pick was\u00a0<\/span>returned for 36 yards<\/span><\/a>, which set up Jackson’s second touchdown pass of the day. Hamilton’s pick happened on the final play of the game.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

INTERCEPTION @BSteve_1<\/a>!!!

TUNE IN ON CBS \/ @ParamountPlus<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/oN7IMmyVUc<\/a><\/p>— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 1, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>