It's only Week 8, but it's not far-fetched to say that the 1-5 Baltimore Ravens' season is on the line Sunday. Only one team in NFL history (the 1970 Cincinnati Bengals) has made the playoffs after starting the year 1-6. Plus, the Chicago Bears are far from an easy matchup for the Ravens.
Undoubtedly, the Ravens' defense and more specifically their pass rush have hurt their season so far. Getting linebacker Roquan Smith back in the fold should help the Ravens on Sunday. Similarly, another linebacker whom the Ravens are counting on to make a big impact is Kyle Van Noy. Not only has this team struggled to generate pressure, but Tavius Robinson will be sidelined with a foot injury.
Notably, the Ravens rank 30th in opponents' yards (380.8) and are giving up the most points per game (32.3). Furthermore, the Ravens are tied for dead last in sacks (eight) and 30th in pressures (35). Needless to say, the Ravens' defense must step up, and Van Noy will be a big part of that.
Van Noy will be a swing factor in the Ravens' pivotal Week 8 game
Last season, Van Noy was one of the Ravens' most important defensive players. In his age-33 season, Van Noy had a career resurgence, recording 12.5 sacks, 41 combined tackles, and 25 pressures. Both his pressures and sacks were career highs. This culminated in Van Noy earning his first career Pro Bowl.
Van Noy missed two games with an eye injury. However, when Van Noy has been on the field, his impact hasn't been felt. Like many of the Ravens' pass rushers, Van Noy has felt invisible. Blame it on defensive coordinator Zach Orr if you will, many certainly have been critical of the 33-year-old defensive coordinator. However, at some point, the onus also has to be on the players.
The BYU product has six combined tackles, one sack, and six pressures. Additionally, Van Noy's missed tackle rate has increased from 6.8 to 14.3. Orr's schemes have hurt the team, but the bottom line is that the Ravens players must improve their play as well.
The Bears' offense has looked much improved with new head coach Ben Johnson running the show. It will be imperative that the Ravens pressure second-year quarterback Caleb Williams. Otherwise, the Ravens' defense will get torn apart once again.
Lamar Jackson is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's showdown. If he's on the field, the Ravens offense is primed to produce at a high level. However, that won't matter if the defense doesn't step up, and Van Noy is one of the clear-cut guys who needs to return to his typical form.