By far the Baltimore RavensThe biggest weakness and biggest surprise through the 11 weeks of the 2024 season has been the play of the secondary. The Ravens started the season with what on paper looked like one of the best coverage units in the league, but the reality was different when the pads arrived.
All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton, cornerback Marlon Humphrey and rookie first-round cornerback Nate Wiggins all had good seasons. Still, the drastic decline of veteran free safety Marcus Williams and cornerback Brandon Stephens, as well as the poor play of newly acquired safety Eddie Jackson, have weakened Baltimore's pass defense. Through 11 weeks, the Ravens have allowed the most pass yards in the league.
After allowing quarterback Joe Burrow to throw for 428 yards and four touchdowns while wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase managed 264 yards and three touchdowns through the air in Week 10 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore decided to make changes on the back end of the defense. Williams was on the bench for the second time this season while Hamilton and Ar'Darious Washington formed the starting safety duo against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 11. This was a change for Hamilton, with the all-rounder best known for his game-winning abilities getting closer to the battle line, but after the results against the Steelers, he may have found a new home on defense to close out this year.
The Ravens' secondary stifled quarterback Russell Wilson, holding him to 205 passing yards, zero touchdowns and -7.41 expected points through the air. wide receiver George Pickens was held under 100 yards and out of the end zone, with cornerback Tre'Davious White having two impressive pass deflections against him to prevent touchdowns. White played 24 snaps against Pittsburgh, taking advantage of Stephens' role on the perimeter.
Even though the Steelers' offense hasn't been one of the league's best this season, Wilson's ability to connect with the Pickens on the field was something to worry about early in the game, and Baltimore mostly kept the duo under control. The Ravens will face bigger challenges to see if reshuffling the secondary has solved the defense's woes, starting with a Monday Night Football showdown against star quarterback Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers.
