The Baltimore Ravens have long been known for a defense that thrives on toughness and relentless pressure. From Terrell Suggs to Calais Campbell to more recent standouts like Nnamdi Madubuike, the pass rush has been a defining feature of the franchise’s identity. However, in 2025, that identity is showing cracks.
Through the first month of the season, Baltimore’s inability to generate consistent pressure up front has left its defense vulnerable — and it may prove to be the team’s biggest obstacle in a year with Super Bowl aspirations.
With a tough road ahead, things will not become any easier for Baltimore.
Ravens lack of pass rush could hold them back in 2025
Injuries have gutted the front
The problems begin with availability. The Ravens have been without two of their most important defensive playmakers: veteran edge rusher Kyle Van Noy and star defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike. Both sidelined, both irreplaceable. Their absence was glaring in the team's 38-30 loss to the Detroit Lions, where Jared Goff enjoyed a clean pocket nearly all night long.
Without Van Noy's and Madubuike's experience and disruption, the Ravens' “pass rush by committee” approach has broken down.
In recent seasons, Baltimore has relied on depth rather than one elite edge rusher. The idea worked when everyone stayed healthy, but when injuries hit, the committee looks more like patchwork.
The current group was underwhelming on Monday night, and their Pro Football Focus grades were not pretty. Rookie second-rounder Mike Green was brought in to boost the rotation, but he has yet to deliver, even though he still has promise to reach his ceiling. Against Detroit, his pass rush win rate was only 4.2%. Teammates Aeneas Peebles (0.0% in 12 snaps) and Tavius Robinson (5.6% in 19 snaps) were equally ineffective. Even Odafe Oweh, the most established presence, managed just a 17.6% win rate, which was the highest on the team.
Overall, the Ravens failed to sack Goff once and registered only a handful of hits — a stunning stat line for a defense built on physicality.
When the pass rush falters, everything else is exposed. With quarterbacks enjoying extra time in the pocket, Baltimore’s secondary, which on paper is regarded as one of the top secondaries, has struggled to keep up. Explosive plays have followed, and turnovers, once a hallmark of Ravens defenses, have been scarce.
The issue has even bled into the run defense. Without penetration up front, opposing backs have found cutback lanes and extended drives, even breaking off big runs. The results speak for themselves: 41 points allowed to Buffalo, 38 to Detroit. For a team that prides itself on defensive dominance, those numbers sting.
Rough road ahead
The timing of the Ravens' struggles couldn’t be worse. Their upcoming schedule features Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans, and Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams — all capable of shredding defenses if given time to operate. Without immediate improvement, you could say that these upcoming games are do-or-die for the Ravens' defense and for their playoff hopes.
Final snap
The Ravens don’t necessarily need a single game-wrecking pass rusher, but they do need reliability. Until Van Noy and Madubuike return, the unproven young talent must grow up fast and step up to the plate. If the committee can’t find its rhythm, the defense will continue to leak splash plays, and the offense will be asked to win shootouts.
For now, what was once the Ravens' greatest strength has become their most pressing weakness. Unless the pass rush can quickly improve, Baltimore could be watching its 2025 goals slip away in the pocket.