Defensive Schemes Adjusted to Bolster the Baltimore Ravens

As the Baltimore Ravens fight to secure an AFC North title and solidify a playoff spot, their coaching staff has made strategic adjustments to defensive schemes—tweaks designed to fix vulnerabilities, exploit opponent weaknesses, and maximize the strengths of their roster. After a mid-season stretch where the run defense slipped and divisional rivals found gaps in coverage, defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and his team reevaluated their approach, implementing changes that range from alignment shifts to personnel rotations. These adjustments haven’t just shored up flaws; they’ve turned the Ravens’ defense into a more versatile, adaptive unit—one that can counter both run-heavy offenses like the Pittsburgh Steelers and pass-focused teams like the Cincinnati Bengals. Defensive Schemes Adjusted to Bolster the Baltimore Ravens explores the key scheme changes, how they address earlier struggles, player adaptation to new roles, impact on recent wins, and why these adjustments are critical for playoff success.

Defensive Schemes Adjusted to Bolster the Baltimore Ravens opens with the most impactful change: a shift from a base 3-4 defense to a more frequent 4-3 alignment, designed to strengthen the run defense and generate more pass rush. Earlier in the season, the Ravens relied heavily on the 3-4 (three defensive linemen, four linebackers), but opponents like the Steelers exploited gaps between linebackers and linemen to rush for over 140 yards in two games. The 4-3 alignment (four linemen, three linebackers) adds an extra defensive tackle, clogging running lanes and allowing edge rushers like Odafe Oweh to focus on pressuring the quarterback rather than run support. In the Ravens’ Week 15 win over the Cleveland Browns, the 4-3 was used on 60% of defensive snaps, and the Browns were held to just 78 rushing yards—their lowest total against the Ravens in three seasons. “The 4-3 gives us more bodies in the box to stop the run, while still letting our edge rushers get after the QB,” Macdonald explained. “It’s a balance that fits our personnel better right now.” The shift has also boosted the pass rush: the Ravens have recorded 10 sacks in their last three games, up from 5 in the three games before the adjustment.

Defensive Schemes Adjusted to Bolster the Baltimore Ravens delves into another key tweak: increased use of “two-deep safety” looks to counter deep passing attacks from teams like the Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs. Earlier in the season, the Ravens often used single-high safety (one safety deep, one near the line of scrimmage), which left them vulnerable to deep touchdowns—Joe Burrow connected on a 52-yard TD pass against this look in Week 14. The two-deep look (both safeties positioned deep) limits big plays downfield by covering more of the secondary, forcing quarterbacks to throw short or mid-range passes that the Ravens’ linebackers and cornerbacks can disrupt. In Week 16 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have a dynamic deep threat in Calvin Ridley, the Ravens used two-deep on 75% of snaps. Ridley was held to just 3 catches for 28 yards, with no receptions over 10 yards. “The two-deep look takes away what opposing QBs do best—hitting deep passes,” said Ravens safety Marcus Williams. “It forces them to play our game, not theirs.” The adjustment has paid off: the Ravens have allowed just 1 deep touchdown (20+ yards) in their last four games, compared to 5 in the first 11 games.

Defensive Schemes Adjusted to Bolster the Baltimore Ravens covers how the Ravens have adjusted personnel rotations within schemes to keep players fresh and exploit matchup advantages. Macdonald now uses a “platoon system” for defensive linemen, rotating six players (including Dre’Mont Jones, Justin Madubuike, and Travis Jones) in and out every two to three plays—ensuring no lineman gets fatigued late in games. This rotation was critical in the Ravens’ Week 15 win over the Browns: with 3 minutes left in the fourth quarter and the Browns driving for a potential game-tying touchdown, Madubuike (who had been rotated out earlier) returned fresh and sacked Deshaun Watson to end the drive. The Ravens have also begun using cornerback Marlon Humphrey in more “slot coverage” against opposing No. 1 receivers, leveraging his physicality to disrupt routes. Against the Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase in Week 14, Humphrey lined up in the slot on 80% of Chase’s routes, limiting him to 4 catches for 39 yards. For the Baltimore Ravens, these personnel adjustments make schemes more effective—they ensure the right players are in the right positions to win matchups, rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all approach.

Another layer of Defensive Schemes Adjusted to Bolster the Baltimore Ravens is how players have adapted to the new schemes— a process that required extra film study, practice reps, and communication. Linebackers, who had played primarily in pass coverage in the 3-4, now focus more on run stopping in the 4-3, which meant adjusting their pre-snap reads and tackling technique. “At first, it was a little confusing—you’re used to one thing, then suddenly you’re doing something else,” said linebacker Patrick Queen. “But we put in extra time watching film of the 4-3 in action, and the coaches walked us through every step.” Safeties also had to adapt to the two-deep look, learning new communication signals to avoid coverage lapses. The Ravens held extra walkthrough practices each week to refine the new schemes, and players met with coaches one-on-one to address questions. This dedication to adaptation has paid off: the Ravens have committed just 2 defensive penalties in their last three games, down from 5 per game before the adjustments. For the Baltimore Ravens, player buy-in and adaptability are just as important as the schemes themselves—without players executing the tweaks, even the best game plan fails.

Defensive Schemes Adjusted to Bolster the Baltimore Ravens closes with why these adjustments are critical for the Ravens’ playoff hopes—and how they position the team to compete with AFC powerhouses. In the playoffs, teams face elite offenses that exploit even the smallest defensive flaws; the Ravens’ scheme changes fix those flaws while playing to their strengths. The 4-3 will help against run-heavy playoff teams like the Buffalo Bills, while the two-deep safety look can counter the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and the Bills’ Josh Allen, who excel at deep passes. The personnel rotations will also be key in long playoff games, keeping players fresh for fourth-quarter drives. “Playoff football is about adapting,” Macdonald said. “You can’t run the same schemes you ran in September and expect to win in January. You have to evolve, and that’s what we’re doing.” For the Baltimore Ravens, these defensive adjustments are more than just tweaks—they’re a statement that the team is willing to do whatever it takes to win. As the Ravens head into the final stretch of the regular season and the playoffs beyond, their adaptive, versatile defense will be their greatest asset—proving that in the NFL, smart scheme changes can be just as powerful as raw talent.