OWINGS MILLS — Entering the season, there were questions about the Ravens’ pass rush and they provided a few answers in Thursday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Ravens sacked Chiefs quarterback Partick Mahomes twice and registered seven quarterback hits. Baltimore has posted a sack in 39 consecutive games, marking the NFL’s longest active streak and the longest streak in Ravens history.
However, the Ravens lost to Kansas City, 27-20, and players were not happy with their overall performance.
“We have to look at ourselves in the mirror, each and every individual,” inside linebacker Roquan Smith said. “There were a lot of plays, personally, out there today that I wish I could get back. I didn’t feel like I played my best game, and I think when I play my best game, I feel like that echoes throughout the defense. It starts with myself personally, and I have to be better in order for us to be better as a defense. When we do that, we’ll be great. But hats off to those guys, and we’re looking forward to next week. It will be a great opportunity to bounce back.”
The Ravens are counting on third-year inside linebacker David Ojabo to make an impact on the pass rush, especially after losing Jadeveon Clowney to free agency after he tied a career-high with 9 1/2 sacks last season.
Ojabo is off to an encouraging start with a sack and a tackle for a loss against Kansas City.
New Ravens defensive coordinator Zachary Orr doesn’t necessarily believe the team needs another edge rusher to fill the void left by Clowney. He wants the Ravens to get sacks from their defensive linemen, inside linebackers, and even their safeties.
That was the case against the Chiefs as defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike and inside linebacker Trenton Simpson each registered a half-sack.
Outside linebacker Odafe Oweh won 14.3 percent of his pass-rush reps and defensive tackle Travis Jones was even better, winning 15.8 percent of his matchups, according to Pro Football Focus, an analytics website.
The Ravens did suffer a setback when outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy had to leave the game with an eye injury. It was later revealed that Van Noy Van Noy had fractured his orbital bone and his status is uncertain.
Van Noy was third on the team with nine sacks last season.
