The Baltimore Ravens put on a show in Sunday’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Their 24-0 win was simply a masterclass. The offense finally broke out, providing splash plays in the passing and running games, and the defense held the opposition to a donut on the scoreboard.
While it was nice that the offense put together a strong performance, the defense was obviously the star of the show.
They applied pressure on Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow all afternoon, posting three sacks. The unit also forced two turnovers, which included a wild pick-six. The coverage was also strong. Although they allowed the Bengals to put together long drives, they tightened up when it mattered most and limited the back-breaking plays.
That bend-don’t-break mentality is what Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr’s unit has adopted throughout this miraculous turnaround. However, one area that flipped the narrative in Week 15 was that pass rush group that tallied three sacks. The defensive front dictated the game from the opening snap and had Burrow in a blender all day.
Ravens’ pass rush finally breaks out
Baltimore deserved more than three sacks on Sunday. Coming out with a much-needed win, though, you will not hear them complaining.
Versatile outside linebacker Tavius Robinson enjoyed a strong showing in his return from a broken foot. He got home for his third sack of the year and tallied a key pressure on the pick-six late in the game. Rookie outside linebacker Mike Green brought Burrow down for a first-half-ending sack later on. Defensive tackle Travis Jones also celebrated his new contract extension with a sack of his own.
Along with that trio, fellow outside linebackers Dre’Mont Jones and Kyle Van Noy feasted on Cincinnati's offensive line. While their efforts did not amount to any sacks, Jones set the tone with his relentlessness and fearless play, and Van Noy came in for timely pressures.
While the Bengals’ offensive line has had its troubles in 2025, they were in the midst of a relatively good stretch. According to Pro Football Focus, the unit was climbing up their offensive line rankings, sitting 19th ahead of Week 15. However, against Baltimore, Orr and his group flat-out embarrassed them.
If the Ravens can keep the energy up in the final three games of the season, they could have a strong shot at making the playoffs. They can control their destiny if they win out, but with a tough schedule ahead, they need the pass rush to continue playing as they did against the Bengals.