ExtremeRavens Posted 17 hours ago Posted 17 hours ago The noise around the Ravens’ defense — and coordinator Zach Orr — was deafening to start the season, and not in a flattering way. A 1-5 start, 32 points allowed per game, two 40-point showings and a rash of injuries left Baltimore scrambling for answers. Lately, it’s been different. The Ravens have held opponents under 20 points and forced takeaways in three straight games — something they managed only once in their first five. Still, Orr isn’t easing up. “We dug ourselves into this hole,” he said. “We’ve got to keep digging ourselves out of it. “We got a long way to go.” Orr credited his unit’s ability to move on to the next play as a key factor in its recent success. Even when opponents have reached the red zone, Baltimore has held Los Angeles, Chicago and Miami to a 27.3% touchdown rate there, the second-lowest mark in the league during the span. The Ravens snuffed all three trips to the red zone against Miami, including Teddye Buchanan’s forced fumble in the fourth quarter. Orr also pointed to takeaways like Buchanan’s as evidence of the defense’s growth. The three forced against the Dolphins marked a season high, and a fumble recovery coupled with a 241-yard showing against Los Angeles kept Baltimore within reach in a 17–3 loss. “Good to see that the hard work is starting to pay off,” Orr said. “Still more work to do.” Kyle Van Noy added the unit has started to “marry up” the pass rush and coverage. Earlier in the season, one would work while the other broke down. Both have clicked over the past three games, the veteran said. Baltimore has recorded five of its 11 sacks and two of its three interceptions during the span. He said teams have been getting the ball out quickly, but the Ravens have adjusted by mixing coverages and keeping offenses off balance. “We’re there at the party — we just have to keep showing up,” Van Noy said. Rookie edge rusher Mike Green said the recent surge in Baltimore’s pass rush has come down to chemistry. After a sluggish start, he feels the group has developed a better sense of how each player works, which has led to more cohesion up front. “It’s easier to go out there and feel confident in what we’re doing when you know somebody next to you got your back,” said Green, who recorded his first 1 1/2 career sacks the past two games. In addition to better cohesion, Baltimore has enjoyed better health. No Ravens were on the injury report either Wednesday or Thursday — a contrast with the average of six players on the injury report between Weeks 3 and 6 who didn’t participate throughout the week while the team slogged through a four-game skid. The Ravens still have Nnamdi Madubuike (neck), Broderick Washington (Achilles) and Tavius Robinson (foot) sidelined on the long-term injured reserve, but the active roster is finally healthy — a timely boost for a team hoping to climb back into the playoff race. “A healthy team, it’s a good team,” linebacker Roquon Smith said. “Best ability is your availability, as they always say. It’s about just continuing with that and going out and being ourselves.” Have a news tip? Contact Michael Howes at mhowes@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Mikephowes. Ravens linebacker Carl Lawson works out Wednesday. Lawson's addition via free agency could bolster the team's inconsistent pass rush. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) View the full article Quote
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