The new potential of a revamped defense
After spending the first half of the season scrambling for solutions, the Ravens’ defense was nothing if not consistent Sunday. Consistent in its production. Consistent in its execution. And, until an injury intervened, consistent in its personnel.
In holding the scuffling Carolina Panthers to 203 total yards and forcing three turnovers in a 13-3 win, the Ravens seized on a newfound (and perhaps fleeting) stability in their back end. Their two star inside linebackers never left the field. And their slot defender rotation actually
started as just a one-man show.
Until the Ravens traded for All-Pro inside linebacker Roquan Smith ahead of their Week 9 game, until rookie safety Kyle Hamilton earned more regular nickel back duties, defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald’s personnel deployments had been more situational. The Ravens had a core of reliable starters up front; it was some of the pieces behind them that needed to be figured out.
With inside linebackers Josh Bynes and Malik Harrison’s limitations on obvious passing downs, the Ravens had leaned heavily into dime personnel looks (six defensive backs), surrounding inside linebacker Patrick Queen with more capable partners in coverage.
And with cornerback Kyle Fuller’s season-ending Week 1 knee injury compounded by the early season struggles of the Ravens’ young defensive backs,
the season,” said Humphrey, who has 37 tackles, six pass deflections and a pair of fumble recoveries through 10 games. “[There were] a couple of games early, but since then I think we’ve been showing that we can be [an] elite defense.”
Before linebacker Roquan Smith was traded to the Ravens from the Chicago Bears last month, he admired Humphrey and Peters from afar. “Those guys have had some heck of careers,” he said. “They just keep getting better.”
Last season, Baltimore didn’t have the luxury of having Peters and Humphrey on the field at the same time. Peters suffered a torn ACL before the season opener while Humphrey missed the final five games with a torn pectoral muscle. With a secondary devastated by injuries, the Ravens allowed the most passing yards in the league.
Defensive lineman Calais Campbell has been filled with joy and relief to see Peters and Humphrey playing side-by-side once again.
“Part of the reason I wanted to play football here is [that] we have a great secondary,” Campbell said. “You know you’re gonna get opportunities from a pass rush standpoint. It’s a really good feeling late in ballgames when you know [Peters and Humphrey] are going to take away that first read and you got that extra second to get [to the quarterback].”
Campbell, who finished with a sack and two tackles, called Peters a “warrior.” He has been impressed with the 29-year-old veteran cornerback playing at a high level after coming back from a season-ending injury.
“[Peters] is a competitor,” Campbell said. “Seeing him out there makes me want to give it my all.”
On Friday, coach John Harbaugh said it’s hard to play at full speed after an ACL injury. After Sunday’s performance, it seems Peters is getting back to his old self.
“To me, it says a lot about who he is just as a football player and a person,” Harbaugh said. “I told him just last week [that] I feel like he’s back. He’s moving well and ready to roll.”