Ravens rookie catching fire at the perfect time to ignite pass rush

The Baltimore Ravens entered their Week 8 matchup with the Chicago Bears with just three true pass rushers active. The Odafe Oweh trade and broken foot to Tavius Robinson made the group shallow, but they are seeing an emerging rookie blossom before their very eyes on Sunday.

Rookie outside linebacker Mike Green did not record a sack through the first seven weeks. However, in Week 8, he finally got his moment in the sun.

Green tallied his first career sack at the perfect time, tripping up Bears’ quarterback Caleb Williams on a third-and-goal play on the opening drive of the game. His efforts held them to just a field goal.

It looked like Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr was letting Green be the energized pass rusher everyone knows he is capable of being. His relentless motor, burst off the line, and closing pursuit were on full display en route to a strong start.

Mike Green is starting to break out

With just Kyle Van Noy, Green, and David Ojabo suiting up at edge rusher, Baltimore needed someone to start making plays. Their eight total sacks heading into Week 8 were a league-worst, and Williams was making it look easy early on. However, Green is starting to take the strides to be that guy to change the game.

It has been more than just the sack, too. He kept Williams from rolling out on a play that had been a thorn in the Ravens’ side early on, forcing an incompletion, and applied some pressure on a third-and-seven play that forced a field goal in the red zone.

Green will be key to the Ravens’ success for the rest of the year. The organization hopes to get back into playoff contention, and that will not be possible if the pass rush does not start finding success.

In 2025, opposing quarterbacks have been able to pick apart the Ravens’ defense through the air. Clean pockets have haunted the unit, as they have given up 246.7 pass yards per game, a mark that ranks fifth-worst in the league. If Green and the pass rush can start making quarterbacks uncomfortable, we could see a changed unit moving forward.