Lamar Jackson has never been better. The Baltimore Ravens’ offense has never been more explosive. And yet, there are troubling signs for their Super Bowl hopes.
An organization historically known for its stout defense might have picked the worst time to be off-brand. Entering Week 11 of the 2024 NFL season, no team has given up more passing yards (3,146) and passing touchdowns (22) than the Ravens. It’s a complete reversal of fortune for a unit that was in the top eight of both categories in 2023. They already allowed more touchdown passes than they did all of last season (18).
This is a major problem and head coach John Harbaugh needs to find answers fast. Baltimore (7-3) has an AFC North showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2) on Sunday.
“You consider everything,” Harbaugh said, according to the Baltimore Sun. “Everything’s on the table always. I don’t think that’s any kind of news story. It’s definitely not headline-worthy because that’s what you do. That’s what I spent the weekend doing, that’s what the coaches spent the weekend doing and that’s what our players spent the weekend doing.
“We’ll look at every aspect of it and pursue the best path that we can think of and that we see going forward with a great sense of urgency.”
WATCH: John Harbaugh on player/coaches and changes that could be ahead to improve the secondary’s play and pass defense as a whole with the middle of the defense a huge issue. “Everything is on the table.” But downplayed this is anything groundbreaking news wise. pic.twitter.com/jefIkTxkLC
— Morgan Adsit (@MorganAdsit) November 11, 2024
In the short run, any adjustments by Harbaugh’s staff might be enough to get by. The Ravens’ dynamic offense (a league-best 31.8 points per game) could carry them to the AFC North title. However, Baltimore could also quickly go from being a division contender to being a Wild Card and having to play on the road.
And even under the best of circumstances, what will happen if that porous defense has to face Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, C.J. Stroud, Justin Herbert, or Joe Burrow if the Cincinnati Bengals get their act together? The ultimate nightmare would be the lethal Burrow-to-Ja’Marr Chase combination knocking the Ravens out of the postseason.
Baltimore lost its previous defensive coordinator when Mike Macdonald left to become the Seattle Seahawks head coach. The new man in charge is Zach Orr who was promoted from linebackers coach. Understandably, Orr is catching a lot of heat. It’s also fair to point out that Baltimore also lost starters like pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney and linebacker Patrick Queen in free agency. The Ravens’ rookie and first-round pick cornerback Nate Wiggins and veteran safety Marcus Williams have struggled at times. It also won’t help this week that Kyle Hamilton (ankle) was hurt in last week’s 35-34 victory over Cincinnati.
The desperate Ravens made a trade-deadline deal to acquire cornerback Tre’Davious White from the Los Angeles Rams. White could make his debut against the Steelers. If he can give the pass defense anything, that will be an improvement. Baltimore needs the help because it plays the sixth-toughest remaining schedule, including the Steelers twice, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Houston Texans.
Jackson and that offense can overcome a lot. But it will be the defense that will determine how far these Ravens go.
JA’MARR CHASE HAS 238 YARDS AND 2 TOUCHDOWNS!
It’s a WILD 28-28 Bengals-Ravens game on Thursday Night Football. ??? #TNF #NFL pic.twitter.com/31IOPaBHWP
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 8, 2024
#Ravens #lousy #defense #derail #Super #Bowl #hopes
