Ebony Bird
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Baltimore Ravens: Why the defense will remain dominant in 2019

By Richard Bradshaw

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 21: Defensive Back Anthony Levine #41 of the Baltimore Ravens and linebacker Patrick Onwuasor #48 celebrate after recovering a fumble in the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 21: Defensive Back Anthony Levine #41 of the Baltimore Ravens and linebacker Patrick Onwuasor #48 celebrate after recovering a fumble in the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 07: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns is sacked by Brandon Williams #98 of the Baltimore Ravens in the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 07: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns is sacked by Brandon Williams #98 of the Baltimore Ravens in the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

The defensive line remains intact:

The Baltimore Ravens have always been known for having ferocious defenses, and it all starts up front in their trenches. Where most teams value defensive linemen who can crash the pocket and rush the quarterback, Baltimore has more of an “unorthodox” formula for their defensive linemen.

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Rather than focusing on sacks, the Ravens value big-men who eat-up multiple blocks and open holes for the linebackers to fill. History has shown us exactly this through guys like Tony Siragusa, Sam Adams, Kelly Gregg, and Haloti Ngata. Today, the team has that in Brandon Williams and Michael Pierce.

Beyond them, the unit maintains familiarity in this scheme and has more players like Williams and Pierce. A fifth round pick was just spent on Texas A&M’s Daylon Mack, who might as well be the discount version of Michael Pierce!

Don’t get me wrong, the Ravens do have some d-linemen with pass rushing upside like Willie Henry and Chris Wormley, but the winning formula for Baltimore has been the use of their big-nose tackles. 2019 will be no different.

Don’t expect big sack numbers from this group, but don’t be surprised when Baltimore finishes in the top-ten for run defense once again in 2019. Thanks to the continued consistency from this unit, we have our first big reason (pun intended) for the Baltimore Ravens defense to remain stout.

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