Ebony Bird
FanSided

5 ways the Baltimore Ravens can make a Super Bowl run

By Richard Bradshaw

CINCINNATI, OHIO - JANUARY 03: Matthew Judon #99 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after the win against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JANUARY 03: Matthew Judon #99 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after the win against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 20: Quarterback Gardner Minshew II #15 of the Jacksonville Jaguars is pressured by linebacker Matthew Judon #99 of the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter of their game at M&T Bank Stadium on December 20, 2020, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 20: Quarterback Gardner Minshew II #15 of the Jacksonville Jaguars is pressured by linebacker Matthew Judon #99 of the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter of their game at M&T Bank Stadium on December 20, 2020, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Unleash the pass rush:

The Baltimore Ravens accumulated a solid 39 team sacks in 2020 with Matt Judon pacing the team with six. Five other players grabbed at least three sacks, as well, so the distribution was solid across the board. Still, it is a bit underwhelming to see that no one player truly dominated in the sack department.

That will need to change if Baltimore plans to make a post-season run.

Historically, teams that win the Super Bowl are powered by their pass rush. Look at the New York Giants wins with Eli Manning. Manning was nigh unstoppable in both playoff runs, but he had a terrific pass rush on the other side of the ball to make his life a little easier. The Ravens will need to find similar success getting to the quarterback.

Must Read. Baltimore Ravens disrespected in 2020 All-Pro Teams. light

The AFC playoff picture has two quarterbacks who received All-Pro nods in Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. Ryan Tannehill, Ben Roethlisberger, Baker Mayfield, and Philip Rivers round out the rest of the playoff teams’ quarterbacks. All of these guys are capable of winning games with their arms, granted this is more true for some than others. Regardless, Baltimore needs to pony up and make life hell on these quarterbacks.

Guys like Judon will need to continue playing hot (Judon recorded four of his six sacks over the last six games of the season), while others like Calais Campbell, who is seemingly back to 100% health, need to step up. Yannick Ngakoue will also be a very important piece to this unit. Ngakoue only recorded three sacks in eight games for the Ravens, but anyone with eyes could tell you that he was much better off the edge than the box score would indicate. He will need to turn more of those pressures into sacks, however.

The best way to help this pass rush come to life will be for Don Martindale to continue dialing up the blitz. Martindale is as aggressive as they come when it comes to sending extra pressure and Baltimore will need him to stick to his guns and do so.

If the Ravens can get the most out of their pass rush the rest of the defense will benefit. Put opposing quarterbacks on their asses and watch the game shift dramatically in Baltimore’s favor.

Home/Ravens News