In a defensive showcase last Thursday, the Ravens once more deployed their pass-rushing unit and terrorized the Cincinnati Bengals on their way to beating them 34-20 on a TNF matchup.
As many as five different players in the Week 11 victory over the Bengals recorded a sack and Justin Madubuike, who is currently leading the team with 9.5 sacks this season, was sublime once again by contributing three solo tackles, including a crucial sack in the Ravens' victory.
Madubuike's impressive sacking streak continued last midweek and he's now secured at least a half-sack in eight consecutive games starting in Week 4 and entering Week 12 totaling a career-best 9.5 sacks on the year.
At the time of this writing, between TNF and the rest of the Week 11 games, Madubuike is tied for fourth in the NFL, making this season a bonafide breakout campaign for the defensive player.
More interestingly, the Ravens haven't seen a player reach double-digit sacks since Terrell Suggs broke the 10-sack barrier more than five years ago in 2017.
Suggs finished that season with 11 sacks, which is now more than attainable target for Madubuike to reach as there are still six games remaining in the Ravens' schedule.
ESPN has taken note of Madubuike's impact, ranking him as the 13th-best future free agent for the 2024 offseason. ESPN analyst Matt Bowen highlighted Madubuike's strengths, noting his "foot quickness, short-area agility, and ability to apply interior pressure."
Wrote Bowen: "Justin Madubuike has already recorded a career-high this season after posting 5.5 in 2022." The analyst thinks "The arrow is pointing up on him; he can win one-on-one or push the pocket in schemed fronts."
Currently earning a modest $2.7 million from Baltimore, the 26-year-old Madubuike's breakout performance is drawing attention across the NFL landscape months before hitting the open market in the upcoming offseason.
Currently earning a modest $2.7 million from Baltimore, the 26-year-old Madubuike's breakout performance is drawing attention across the NFL landscape months before hitting the open market in the upcoming offseason.