3 hidden heroes behind stunning resurrection of Ravens' once-dead 2025 season

Just a month ago, after the Baltimore Ravens’ Week 6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, their 2025 season looked dead in the water. Fast forward several weeks, and the Ravens are right back in the playoff race. They own a four-game winning streak heading into their Week 12 battle with the New York Jets.

For most of the season, the Ravens appeared to have a historically bad defense to pair with an inconsistent offense. Injuries to a few stars, including quarterback Lamar Jackson, linebacker Roquan Smith, and cornerback  Marlon Humphrey, did not help. Even when healthy, though, the group looked poised for a disappointing season. Not anymore.

The defense has adjusted over their last five games. Since the arrival of safety Alohi Gilman and the usage of fellow safety Kyle Hamilton closer to the line of scrimmage, Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr’s unit has taken off. They have yet to allow 20 or more points during their recent surge.

Offensively, they have not been as explosive, but excluding their Week 11 win over the Cleveland Browns, they have been sound. They are grinding out drives, and it is the type of play you tend to see from playoff contenders at this time of year.

When it comes to who is responsible for this success, the stars are obviously stepping up, but under-the-radar starters and depth pieces are contributing big-time. Here are three hidden heroes behind Baltimore’s stunning resurrection.

3 hidden heroes saving Ravens’ 2025 season

Charlie Kolar

Baltimore has an incredibly deep tight end room. The duo of Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely is respected as one of the best tight end duos in the NFL. Of course, the two deserve that respect, but it leaves fourth-year tight end Charlie Kolar as an afterthought in the eyes of the media. He is far from that on Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken’s offense.

Kolar only gets around 20 to 30 snaps a game, but he makes a significant impact in those opportunities. While he has just seven receptions for 88 yards and two touchdowns in 2025, he has been a key part of the team’s win streak. Four catches, 56 yards, and both touchdowns of his total thus far have come in Baltimore’s last four matchups (all wins). He is carving a path for success through the air and also doing it on the ground.

Despite being one of the most dangerous receiving threats at tight end in college, Kolar has transformed his play and is becoming a dominant run blocker. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), 159 of his 255 total snaps this year have been run blocking assignments. He is doing very well in that phase, and he helped unlock Baltimore’s offense in their win in Cleveland, clearing the way for Andrews’ 35-yard game-winning touchdown.

John Jenkins

The Ravens’ defensive front has been ravaged by injuries this year. Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike is out for the season with a neck injury, veteran defensive tackle Broderick Washington Jr. is still on injured reserve with an Achilles injury, and the pass rush room has lacked depth due to a mix of trades and injuries. In the wake of it all, defensive tackle John Jenkins has stepped up his game.

Jenkins has played in every game this season, posting a 72.3 overall grade, per PFF. That grade ranks 22nd among 124 qualifying defensive linemen. He is helping take the pressure off of defensive tackle Travis Jones and has been a key part in Baltimore constructing a miraculous defensive turnaround.

At 6-foot-3, 327 pounds, Jenkins is stopping the run, as he has been known for across his 13-year career. However, he is also applying some pressure for a unit that desperately needs it. He owns a 73.9 pass rush grade, per PFF, including one sack, which was a strip sack, and four hurries. Like Kolar, Jenkins is in the midst of a strong stretch, posting a 91.4 PFF grade in Baltimore’s Week 11 win.

Chidobe Awuzie

Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie has perhaps been the biggest steal of the NFL offseason, not just for the Ravens, but for all 32 teams. No one has really been talking about his impact, but when called upon more without Humphrey available against the Browns, everyone saw clearly how great Awuzie has been.

In eight games, Awuzie has posted a 79.1 overall grade, per PFF, which is third-best in the league among corners. His outing this past Sunday was his best showing of the year, finishing with an 86.2 defensive grade. He allowed three receptions on seven targets and made three pass breakups. He had some highlight reel plays, including a key breakup in the end zone on the Browns’ last-gasp drive in the fourth quarter.

Awuzie signed with the Ravens in March on a one-year contract worth just $1.255 million. Baltimore found themselves a steal and a lockdown starting corner on the outside. The 30-year-old's veteran presence is undoubtedly factoring in to the team’s defensive renaissance.

These players are not necessarily marquee names, but they certainly need more attention for the impact they are making, especially recently.