OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Lamar Jackson and the high-powered Ravens offense have earned the confidence that they’ll bounce back from an uncharacteristically bad showing in Pittsburgh.
But trusting the Baltimore defense to duplicate what it did as the silver lining in last Sunday’s 18-16 loss to the Steelers is another story. It’s not as though the Ravens haven’t already turned in promising defensive performances this season such as holding Josh Allen and Buffalo to 10 points in a Week 4 blowout victory. The defense followed that showing by surrendering a season-high 38 points at Cincinnati the following week. It was a similar story earlier this month when Baltimore blew out Denver and allowed Joe Burrow to throw for four touchdowns and over 400 yards four days later.
On Monday night, the Ravens hope to build on their Week 11 defensive effort against the surging Los Angeles Chargers led by Justin Herbert. The talented fifth-year quarterback has thrown seven touchdowns and no interceptions over the course of a four-game winning streak.
“It’s easier said than done. It’s something that we kind of got caught up saying against Buffalo and then coming up the next week and not doing it,” said All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton about any perceived defensive breakthrough. “We definitely don’t want that result again. We’re aware of it now and know that we played a good game, but I think we can get a lot better. I think that’s kind of the mindset everybody on defense has right now.”
The difference this time involves the changes made in the secondary with Ar’Darius Washington replacing the struggling Marcus Williams as a starting safety and Hamilton playing a season-high 42 snaps as a deep safety against Pittsburgh, according to Pro Football Focus. It’s an alignment head coach John Harbaugh said “would definitely be a formula going forward” as the Ravens try to improve upon a defense ranking last in the NFL in passing yards allowed, 28th in yards per pass attempt allowed, and 21st in success rate against the pass, per Sharp Football.
A 2021 undrafted free agent out of TCU, the 5-foot-8, 180-pound Washington isn’t the prototypical NFL safety and practiced mostly as a slot cornerback prior to 2024, but the Ravens have always liked his potential, reflecting in his increased playing time over the course of the season. It’s certainly helped that Washington has stayed healthy after injuries were a major factor limiting him to just eight games over his first three seasons.
“There were parts of it that were tough,” Washington said, “but I just kept that confidence within myself, knowing that I was going to come back and be the same exact player that I was when I got those injuries. All I needed was the opportunity, and it shows.”
Knowing how dynamic Hamilton can be playing close to the line of scrimmage, there’s certainly a hidden cost to using him in more two-high safety alignments, but the struggles of Williams and backup Eddie Jackson have all but forced Baltimore’s hand. That sacrifice could also leave the Ravens more vulnerable against the run at times, but PFF still tracked Hamilton as playing a combined 33 snaps on the defensive line, in the box, or at slot corner against the Steelers.
For what it’s worth, the 6-foot-4, 224-pound Hamilton says he has always viewed himself as a safety and is “100% fine with doing that” if Baltimore continues to ask him to play deeper more often.
“You always look at your best players and try to figure out how to get them shots,” defensive coordinator Zach Orr said. “For Kyle in particular, how do you get him close to the line of scrimmage? How can you send him on a blitz? How can you just utilize his whole skill set? There’s definitely trying to find balance in that.
“The good thing about Kyle Hamilton is he’s a great player. Wherever you put him, he can make it happen and be great there, and I thought he played a great game last Sunday.”
The other potential wrinkle to watch against the Chargers on Monday night is the use of veteran cornerback Tre’Davious White, who made two pass breakups in Pittsburgh and took some snaps away from starter Brandon Stephens in the fourth quarter. It’s no secret that Stephens continues to struggle to find the ball in coverage, which has led to big plays being surrendered on the outside in addition to Baltimore’s well-documented problems covering the middle of the field.
Could more of a cornerback rotation be in order, especially if Hamilton isn’t going to be as much of a fixture at the nickel? Top cornerback Marlon Humphrey played a season-high 37 snaps defending the slot with only 10 on the outside against the Steelers, per PFF. That led to more playing time for first-round rookie Nate Wiggins.
At the very least, the Ravens seem to have found another viable option in the 29-year-old White, who was a two-time Pro Bowl selection in Buffalo before injuries derailed his last few seasons.
“I thought ‘Tre’ had a really good game, has worked really hard to pick up the defense, and [there] are still a few things he can learn like all of our guys are still learning things,” Harbaugh said. “We all are. I thought he played well, and he’s a nice piece for us back there — a great addition. I’m looking forward to his continuing role and his expanding role.”
Time will tell whether these secondary adjustments stabilize the pass defense or were merely the latest example of throwing stuff against the wall in hopes of something sticking. The defense was the bright spot in an otherwise disappointing day in Pittsburgh, but the Chargers offense will provide a stiffer test.
“When I was breaking it down, I was like, ‘They run everything over there in LA,’” Orr said. “It’s definitely a challenge. We have to be on p’s and q’s, but I really honestly feel this way. If we do our job and we read our keys and we play fundamentally sound, we’ll be OK.”
Roquan Smith still sidelined Friday
That could be easier said than done with two-time Pro Bowl inside linebacker Roquan Smith still sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Smith was one of six Baltimore players not to practice Friday with center Tyler Linderbaum (back) and wide receiver Rashod Bateman (knee) being new additions to the list of absentees.
“We’re holding out hope and everything like that. I think it’ll just be by committee. Not one person is going to replace Roquan,” Orr said. “Roquan’s an every-down linebacker, a top linebacker in this league — All-Pro for a reason. Not one guy’s going to replace him.”
Meanwhile, inside linebacker Denzel Perryman (groin) was the only Chargers starter not to practice Friday because of injury.
Below is Friday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: WR Rashod Bateman (knee), DT Travis Jones (ankle), S Sanoussi Kane (ankle), C Tyler Linderbaum (back), CB Arthur Maulet (calf), ILB Roquan Smith (hamstring)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: C Nick Samac (chest)
FULL PARTICIPATION: WR Nick Agholor (illness), S Kyle Hamilton (neck), RB Justice Hill (concussion protocol), OLB Odafe Oweh (neck)
LOS ANGELES
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: RB J.K. Dobbins (rest), S AJ Finley (ankle), ILB Denzel Perryman (groin)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: OLB Joey Bosa (hip), OLB Bud Dupree (foot), CB Cam Hart (concussion/ankle), TE Hayden Hurst (hip), S Derwin James (groin), OLB Khalil Mack (groin), WR Ladd McConkey (shoulder), G Trey Pipkins (ankle)
FULL PARTICIPATION: DB Deane Leonard (hamstring)
