Most dominant elements of the 2022/23 NFL playoffs: What to look out for in the postseason

#10. Baltimore’s ball-hawking

NFL Regular Season - Cincinnati Bengals v Baltimore Ravens

With only one combined takeaway over the last three weeks, this point seems less eminent right now. However, they have faced some of the most conservative and run-heavy offenses in the NFL (Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers).

Baltimore is still tied for sixth NFL-wide in takeaways with 24. That’s despite their interception leader in safety Marcus Williams missing seven weeks. He picked off three passes through his first four-and-a-half games with the Ravens and got another one on his return from IR (now having played at least 97% of defensive snaps in each of the past four contests).

While he hasn’t been truly healthy all season, the hope is that corner Marcus Peters will be an impact player again as we get to the NFL postseason. Especially looking at his past, with 31 interceptions in five seasons as a pro. You add that on top of what else they have on that unit and there’s a lot of guys with their eyes set on getting the ball back for their offense.

Throughout the first 13 weeks, the Ravens had seven games with multiple takeaways. More recently, they’ve been in a lot of low-scoring affairs, as their passing game has devolved due to a lack of creativity and an already thin receiving corps being decimated. Adding to that was Lamar Jackson getting hurt at the start of December.

Over their last eight games, the defense has allowed more than 17 points just once, with improved play on the second level. Roquan Smith has given them a more steady presence in the middle and also enabled Patrick Queen to be utilized as a pressure player more regularly. Both those linebackers have since picked off a pass against the Steelers.

NFL Regular Season - Atlanta Falcons v Baltimore Ravens

They can add to this, by robbing throws down the seams with their closing burst or come free on some games with the front. This affects the flight of the ball from the quarterback’s hands. When you look at how they’ve constructed their defensive line, there’s a lot of big, long bodies. Even if they don’t create pressure quickly, they can affect passing lanes and bat passes as they put those hands up late. Jason Pierre-Paul and the interior D-linemen alone have combined for 19 passes defended.

While Chuck Clark is more of the chess-piece for that unit, Marcus Williams gives them a true rangy free safety. He can make plays behind the other cover-guys locked up when they do go to man-coverage.

Yet, Baltimore has used more of the meta-oriented zone coverages (quarters, cover-six) and they’ve regressed from being near the top of the NFL for the last several years to just 20th in blitz rate (21.5%). Still, it’s more about being selective with when they bring pressure and they’ve been more effective as a result.

They certainly make use of Marlon Humphrey’s ability to excel in isolated situations and play through the hands of the receiver. This gives those DBs more opportunities to play with their eyes on the passer. Combine that with the way Humphrey has mastered the art of the peanut punch, Marcus Peters always looking to attack the ball and rookie Kyle Hamilton’s crazy wingspan and you get a unit that can come up with a turnover at any point.

Lamar Jackson is set to return soon and he will put pressure on the opposing offense to put up points. This will lead to the ball being put in harm's way more regularly in the NFL postseason.

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