The Baltimore Ravens are riding high with a 5-2 record, including an impressive five-game winning streak. The offense continues to steal the spotlight, with Lamar Jackson slinging five touchdowns in a 41-31 shootout win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7.
But beneath the celebration, the Ravens’ defense remains a major concern, especially their pass coverage, which ranks last in the NFL, allowing 287.1 passing yards per game. While they’ve found ways to win, it’s clear their pass defense is still a vulnerability.
Enter Marlon Humphrey. In his seven games this season, Humphrey has proven why he’s one of the most valuable defensive players in Baltimore.
Against Tampa Bay, he snagged two crucial interceptions and broke up two passes, showcasing his knack for game-changing plays. However, that performance came at a cost.
Humphrey landed awkwardly on his knee during his second interception and hasn’t practiced since, putting his status for Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns in jeopardy.
What makes Marlon Humphrey so good? Here’s what the stats say
To understand Humphrey’s importance to the Ravens, we need to break down his performance using Pro Football Focus’s (PFF) new metric called “Advanced Coverage Grade.” This stat takes traditional coverage grades a step further by evaluating how well a cornerback defends against separation and factoring in the difficulty of their assignments.
It essentially shows whether a corner’s coverage was tight enough to prevent a catch, even if they weren’t targeted on a play.
Humphrey currently ranks second among all qualifying corners with a stellar 4.984 Advanced Coverage Grade, landing him in the 97th percentile. He’s excelled in both man-to-man and zone coverage, forcing quarterbacks to either throw into tighter windows or avoid his side of the field entirely.
His ability to limit separation makes him a nightmare for receivers and a vital asset for the Ravens, who are desperate for better pass coverage.
2. Marlon Humphrey 🔒
— PFF BAL Ravens (@PFF_Ravens) October 24, 2024
Best defenders in PFF's advanced coverage gradehttps://t.co/meDvkn3i0E
Without Humphrey, the Ravens' pass defense could become even more porous than it already is.
Baltimore's issues against the pass have been glaring, allowing opponents to move the ball freely through the air. With Humphrey on the field, the secondary has some semblance of stability; without him, it’s a serious liability.
But Humphrey isn’t the only Ravens corner on the Advanced Coverage Grade list. Brandon Stephens and rookie Nate Wiggins also make appearances, ranked 51st and 88th, respectively.
Stephens has been a solid contributor, with a 1.84 grade (73rd percentile), showing flashes of strong play but lacking the consistency of Humphrey. Meanwhile, Wiggins, still getting his feet wet in the NFL, has a 0.322 grade (53rd percentile).
While these two have potential, neither brings the same game-altering presence or reliability Humphrey offers.
In a league where defenses must adapt quickly, the Ravens can’t afford to be without their top corner for long. Humphrey's ability to clamp down on the opposition’s best receivers is essential for this defense to survive.
With the Browns up next, a lot will hinge on whether Humphrey can return in time, as Jameis Winston and Cleveland’s receiving corps will undoubtedly look to exploit the Ravens’ secondary if he’s absent.
Baltimore's defensive performance has left plenty to be desired, but Humphrey's elite play has been a rare bright spot. Whether he can overcome this latest injury and help the Ravens climb out of the pass defense basement will be a major storyline as the season continues.