Defensive Prowess Needed to Rebound for the Baltimore Ravens

After a Week 12 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals exposed vulnerabilities in their secondary and run defense, the Baltimore Ravens find themselves at a critical juncture in the 2024 season: to rebound and solidify their AFC North lead, they must lean into their defensive prowess—a unit that ranked among the NFL’s top 10 in sacks and takeaways through the first 11 weeks. The loss, which saw the Bengals exploit communication lapses and convert 6 of 11 third downs, was a wake-up call: for the Ravens to contend for a Super Bowl, their defense can’t just be good—it needs to be dominant, especially against elite opponents. Defensive Prowess Needed to Rebound for the Baltimore Ravens breaks down the specific areas where the defense must improve, the players who will lead the charge, and how tactical adjustments can turn recent setbacks into a playoff-ready force.

The first area where the Ravens’ defense must reclaim its prowess is stopping elite wide receivers—a challenge highlighted by Ja’Marr Chase’s 186-yard, 1-touchdown performance in Week 12. Chase exploited man-to-man coverage gaps and communication breakdowns between cornerbacks and safeties, a flaw that hadn’t been exposed since the Ravens faced Tyreek Hill in Week 5. To rebound, defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald must balance aggressive coverage with smarter support: using more Cover 2 zone schemes to limit deep targets, deploying safety Kyle Hamilton as a “rover” to help over the top, and rotating cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters to match opponents’ top receivers. “We can’t let one player dictate the game,” Humphrey said after the Bengals loss. “We need to trust our scheme and communicate better—no more lapses.” The Ravens also need to generate more pressure on quarterbacks to disrupt timing; in Week 12, they sacked Joe Burrow just once, giving him time to find Chase downfield. Defensive Prowess Needed to Rebound for the Baltimore Ravens emphasizes that combining improved coverage with consistent pass-rush will be key to neutralizing future elite receivers like Stefon Diggs and Davante Adams.

Another critical area for defensive improvement is third-down defense, where the Ravens have slipped from 7th in the NFL (34.2% conversion rate allowed) to 15th (38.1%) since Week 8. Against the Bengals, Cincinnati converted 6 of 11 third downs—many of them on short-yardage plays that the Ravens’ run defense should have stopped. To rebound, the Ravens must tighten their gap discipline: defensive tackles Jeffery Simmons and Dre’Mont Jones need to clog interior lanes, while linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen must read run-pass options faster to avoid being pulled out of position. Smith, the team’s leading tackler (112 through 12 weeks), acknowledged the issue after the game: “Third down is where defenses win games, and we’re not doing that right now. We need to be more physical, more disciplined, and finish plays.” The Ravens also need to use more sub-packages on third down—adding an extra defensive back to counter pass-heavy sets or a nose tackle to stop short runs. Defensive Prowess Needed to Rebound for the Baltimore Ravens notes that fixing third-down defense will not only shorten opponents’ drives but also give the Ravens’ offense more opportunities to score.

For the Baltimore Ravens, reclaiming defensive prowess will require star players to elevate their play—starting with Simmons, whose impact has waned since a Week 9 ankle tweak. Simmons, a Pro Bowl-caliber tackle, recorded just 2 tackles and 0 sacks in Week 12, well below his season average of 5 tackles and 0.5 sacks per game. To rebound, he must regain his explosiveness off the line, using his strength to push interior linemen back and disrupt running lanes. “Jeffery is our anchor—when he’s playing well, our entire defense plays well,” Macdonald said. The Ravens also need more from rotational pass-rushers like Jones and rookie Tyreque Jones, who combined for just 1 tackle against the Bengals. Jones, who has 4 sacks on the season, needs to use his speed to beat offensive tackles around the edge, while the rookie must refine his technique to avoid being blocked out of plays. For the Baltimore Ravens, getting star players back to their peak and role players contributing consistently will turn a good defense into a dominant one. Defensive Prowess Needed to Rebound for the Baltimore Ravens explores how Simmons’ return to form could be the catalyst for the entire unit’s rebound.

The Baltimore Ravens’ defense must also refine its tackling—an area where lapses led to 87 yards after catch for the Bengals in Week 12. Too often, Ravens defenders are hitting opponents high instead of wrapping up, allowing extra yards that extend drives and tire the defense. To fix this, the team has added daily tackling drills to practice—using padded dummies and live reps to reinforce proper technique. Queen, who has missed 12 tackles this season, said the drills are already making a difference: “We’re going back to basics—wrap the legs, drive through, and don’t let guys break tackles. That’s how we used to play, and that’s how we’ll play again.” The Ravens also need to be more aggressive in gang tackling; against the Bengals, too many defenders were trying to make solo stops instead of working together to bring down runners. For the Baltimore Ravens, cleaner tackling will not only reduce yards after catch but also boost morale, as defenders regain confidence in their ability to finish plays. Defensive Prowess Needed to Rebound for the Baltimore Ravens emphasizes that tackling is a fundamental skill—one that the Ravens can’t afford to overlook if they want to rebound.

Finally, the Baltimore Ravens’ defense must embrace resilience as a group—turning the Week 12 loss into motivation rather than a setback. This means leaving ego aside, focusing on team goals over individual stats, and trusting the process that made them a top defense earlier in the season. Harbaugh has already held a team meeting to reinforce this message, reminding players that even the best defenses face slumps—but the great ones rebound quickly. “We’re not defined by one loss,” Harbaugh said. “We’re defined by how we respond, and I know this defense will respond.” The Ravens have a favorable schedule down the stretch, facing teams with struggling offenses (like the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots) that will let them rebuild confidence before a Week 17 showdown with the Cleveland Browns for the AFC North title. For the Baltimore Ravens, this stretch is an opportunity to refine their defensive prowess, fix recent flaws, and enter the playoffs as a unit that opponents fear. Defensive Prowess Needed to Rebound for the Baltimore Ravens concludes that with improved coverage, better third-down defense, star players back to form, cleaner tackling, and renewed resilience, the Ravens’ defense can not only rebound but also lead the team to a Super Bowl run. The loss to the Bengals was a setback—but it could be the spark that turns a good defense into a legendary one.