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Baltimore Ravens: 3 2020 season predictions for defense

By Chris Schisler

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 13: Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens in action against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 13: Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens in action against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Marcus Peters #24 and Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) /

3. Marlon Humphrey ups the interception totals this year

Marlon Humphrey is one of the best cornerbacks in football but he’s not a big interception guy. In three seasons, Humphrey has seven interceptions. Basically, he’s good for two to three picks a year. Humphrey is actually kind of famous for his fumble recoveries. Last season he scored twice on recovered fumbles and punching the ball away from JuJu Smith-Schuster essentially started the 12 game winning streak of legend. What if this is the year Humphrey has six or seven picks? It could happen, let me tell you why.

The Ravens secondary is absolutely stacked. Even without Earl Thomas this is true. The quarterback won’t want to attack Marcus Peters. Peters reinforced his reputation as a interception machine last year. Peters had five interceptions last year and quarterbacks are going to be mindful of all his career pick six trips to the end zone. Tavon Young is a good nickel cornerback. Jimmy Smith is a seasoned pro. There aren’t a lot of friendly windows to throw the football against the Ravens. What does that mean? Teams have to attack Humphrey more.

The volume of passes he will have to defend is about to go up. That means three interceptions can turn into six interceptions. There is no avoiding anybody in this secondary. There is too much talent in the back end of the defense. The opposing quarterback is going to have to throw the ball into a tough match up. There’s no weak link so the turnovers may flow from this defense. It wouldn’t be shocking to get 15 picks from defensive backs alone. More pass rush plus Young back into the fold equals opportunities for everybody. Humphrey will benefit.

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Humphrey is such a shut down cornerback already. If the Ravens had only one player to cover a great wide receiver, they’d choose Humphrey every time. Can you imagine if he had a season where he led the purple and black in interceptions. Humphrey is a player who is always considered near the top at his position. Having six interceptions would stop that conversation. If he does everything he’s always done and makes quarterbacks pay twice as much, he’ll be the unquestioned best cornerback in the NFL.

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