Defensive Standouts Emerge Despite Loss for the Baltimore Ravens

Even in a 24-21 Thanksgiving loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Baltimore Ravens’ defense delivered moments of brilliance that kept the team in contention until the final seconds. While the offense struggled with third-down conversions and turnovers, the defense stepped up with timely sacks, crucial interceptions, and hard-nosed run stopping—reminding fans and analysts why it remains one of the NFL’s most feared units. Several players stood out above the rest, turning in performances that not only mitigated the damage from the offense’s inconsistencies but also provided a foundation for the team as it enters the playoff stretch. Defensive Standouts Emerge Despite Loss for the Baltimore Ravens shines a light on these key players, their impactful plays, and how their efforts offer hope for the Ravens’ postseason aspirations.

Defensive Standouts Emerge Despite Loss for the Baltimore Ravens begins with the dominant play of inside linebacker Roquan Smith, who put together a career-high performance that anchored the Ravens’ defense. Smith finished the game with 16 total tackles (10 solo), 2 tackles for loss, and a crucial fourth-quarter interception that halted a Steelers’ drive deep in Ravens territory. On the interception play—with the Steelers leading 17-14 and driving to the Ravens’ 20-yard line—Smith read quarterback Kenny Pickett’s eyes, dropped back into coverage, and jumped in front of a pass intended for tight end Pat Freiermuth, returning it 12 yards to the Ravens’ 32-yard line. The play not only stopped a potential Steelers touchdown but also gave the Ravens’ offense a chance to take the lead, which they did just three plays later. Smith’s tackling was equally impressive, as he consistently shut down Steelers running back Najee Harris on short-yardage plays, including a third-and-1 stop in the second quarter that forced a Pittsburgh punt. “Roquan was everywhere today,” Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald said after the game. “He’s the heart of our defense, and when he plays like that, we’re a tough team to beat—even when things aren’t going our way on offense.”

Defensive Standouts Emerge Despite Loss for the Baltimore Ravens shifts to the play of the Ravens’ defensive line, which pressured Pickett all game long and disrupted the Steelers’ rushing attack. Defensive end Odafe Oweh led the charge with 2 sacks, 3 quarterback hits, and a forced fumble that nearly changed the game’s outcome. Oweh’s first sack came in the first quarter, when he beat Steelers left tackle Dan Moore Jr. with a quick outside rush and dropped Pickett for a 7-yard loss, forcing the Steelers to settle for a field goal instead of a potential touchdown. His second sack came in the third quarter, this time using a spin move to get past Moore and pressure Pickett into an incomplete pass on third-and-10. Defensive tackle Justin Madubuike also had a strong game, finishing with 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss, and 4 total tackles, while fellow defensive tackle Dre'Mont Jones—despite his post-game fine—contributed 3 tackles and a quarterback hit that forced Pickett to throw an errant pass. Together, the Ravens’ defensive line recorded 4 sacks and 8 quarterback hits, limiting the Steelers to just 3.2 yards per rushing attempt and forcing Pickett to hold the ball longer than he wanted. “Our D-line set the tone today,” Oweh said. “We knew we had to pressure Pickett to give our secondary a chance, and that’s exactly what we did. It’s a shame we couldn’t get the win, but we held our end of the bargain.”

Defensive Standouts Emerge Despite Loss for the Baltimore Ravens delves into the performance of the Ravens’ secondary, which overcame the loss of starting cornerback Marlon Humphrey (hamstring injury) to make key plays and limit the Steelers’ wide receivers. Cornerback Brandon Stephens, who filled in for Humphrey, had a breakout game with 8 tackles, 1 interception, and 2 pass breakups. Stephens’ interception came in the second quarter, when he jumped a route intended for Steelers wide receiver George Pickens and made a diving catch at the Ravens’ 40-yard line, preventing Pickens from extending a Steelers drive that had already reached midfield. Safety Kyle Hamilton also had a strong game, finishing with 9 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and a pass breakup that stopped a Steelers’ third-down conversion in the fourth quarter. Even with Humphrey sidelined, the Ravens’ secondary limited Pickens—one of the NFL’s most dynamic wide receivers—to just 4 catches for 52 yards, well below his season average of 73 yards per game. For the Baltimore Ravens, the secondary’s ability to step up in the face of adversity was a bright spot, showing that the team has the depth to handle injuries at key positions. “Losing Marlon is tough, but Brandon and the rest of the secondary stepped up,” Macdonald said. “That’s what good teams do—they find ways to overcome obstacles, and our secondary did that today.”

Defensive Standouts Emerge Despite Loss for the Baltimore Ravens explores how these defensive standouts kept the Ravens in the game, even when the offense struggled to find its rhythm. The Ravens’ offense finished the game with just 3 third-down conversions (on 12 attempts) and committed 2 turnovers, yet the defense kept the score close by forcing 3 Steelers turnovers (2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble) and limiting Pittsburgh to just 24 points—well below their season average of 28.5 points per game. In the fourth quarter, with the Ravens trailing 24-21, the defense forced a Steelers punt with 2:15 left, giving the offense a chance to tie or win the game. While the offense ultimately came up short, the defense’s effort ensured that the Ravens never fell out of contention, even when things looked bleak. For the Baltimore Ravens, this defensive resilience is a reminder of why the team remains a playoff contender, even in a season with its share of ups and downs. “Our defense kept us in this game,” Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said. “They made play after play when we needed them to, and that’s something we can build on. Offenses have bad days, but when your defense plays like that, you always have a chance to win.”

Defensive Standouts Emerge Despite Loss for the Baltimore Ravens wraps up with the implications of these defensive performances for the Ravens’ remaining season and playoff hopes. With three games left in the regular season—against the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, and Cincinnati Bengals—the Ravens will need their defense to continue playing at a high level to secure a division title and a first-round bye in the playoffs. The performances of Smith, Oweh, Stephens, and the rest of the defense offer a blueprint for success: if the defense can consistently pressure quarterbacks, stop the run, and create turnovers, the Ravens can compete with any team in the NFL—even if the offense has off days. For the Baltimore Ravens, the Thanksgiving loss was a disappointment, but it also highlighted the team’s greatest strength: a defense that can carry the team when needed. “We didn’t get the win today, but we showed what we’re capable of on defense,” Smith said. “We’ll learn from this loss, fix what needs to be fixed, and come back stronger next week. This team has a lot of fight left, and we’re not done yet.” For Ravens fans, the defensive standouts from the Thanksgiving game are a reason to be optimistic—proof that even in defeat, the team has the talent and resilience to make a deep playoff run.