Ravens' Pass Rush Hits Rock Bottom - Is It Time to Unleash Aeneas Peebles?
The Baltimore Ravens' defense has long been known for its grit and physicality, but this season, one glaring weakness has been impossible to ignore: the pass rush. Through 13 games, the Ravens have managed just 19 sacks - a number that ranks 30th in the league.
That's not just underwhelming. That's a red flag.
While the offensive line has taken plenty of heat - and rightfully so - the pass rush has quietly become just as big of a liability, if not worse. And in Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, that weakness was on full display.
Let’s be clear: the offensive line was a mess again, and the passing attack sputtered outside of a few flashes from Zay Flowers. But the defense’s inability to generate pressure on Aaron Rodgers was arguably the most decisive factor in the loss.
Rodgers had all the time in the world, facing almost no heat from a Baltimore front that recorded just one quarterback hit all game. One.
For a Steelers offense that’s been inconsistent all year, that kind of clean pocket was a gift. Rodgers took full advantage, completing 23 of 32 passes for 284 yards, a touchdown, and a passer rating north of 100. The Ravens’ defense, which thrives on disruption and chaos, couldn’t even make him uncomfortable.
So where do the Ravens go from here?
The Case for Aeneas Peebles
One name that deserves to be in the conversation is rookie defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles. The 24-year-old has been mostly a bystander this season, logging just 71 defensive snaps across six games. After appearing in the first five weeks, he didn’t see the field again until Week 13 against Cincinnati - and even then, it was only for four snaps.
The limited usage isn’t a total mystery. Peebles has struggled against the run, and at 6-foot-1, 290 pounds, he’s not exactly built to anchor against double teams in the trenches.
But here’s the thing: the Ravens’ run defense hasn’t been the problem. The pass rush has.
And that’s where Peebles could make a real impact.
His overall grade from Pro Football Focus sits at 59.6 - nothing to write home about. But dig a little deeper, and his 62.3 pass rush grade is actually above average.
Those numbers aren’t elite, but they suggest untapped potential. And more importantly, they point to a player who could help in the exact area where Baltimore is hurting most.
Peebles’ calling card coming out of college was his quick first step and relentless motor. He’s not a space-eater - he’s a gap-shooter, a disruptor.
That kind of explosiveness can make life miserable for interior offensive linemen, especially on passing downs. And while he’s still adjusting to the speed and strength of NFL competition, his skill set is tailor-made for the kind of situational pass-rushing role the Ravens desperately need filled.
Time for a Shake-Up Inside
Right now, Baltimore’s interior defensive line rotation is heavy on run-stuffers. Travis Jones is a force in the middle, but the rest of the group - John Jenkins, Brent Urban, and C.J.
Okoye - is built to clog lanes, not collapse pockets. That’s fine when you’re facing a team that wants to pound the rock.
But when you’re up against a quarterback like Rodgers - or looking ahead to a pass-heavy Bengals squad in Week 15 - you need more juice up front.
Peebles can be that guy. He may not be an every-down player yet, but he doesn’t need to be.
What the Ravens need is someone who can get off the ball quickly, win with leverage and speed, and give opposing quarterbacks something to think about. Right now, they don’t have that.
And it’s showing.
A Perfect Opportunity Ahead
With the Bengals on deck - a team that lives and dies by its passing game - this is the moment to shake things up. Baltimore’s defense has the pieces to be elite, but they need more from the front four. Giving Peebles a real shot to contribute on passing downs could be the kind of low-risk, high-reward move that makes a difference down the stretch.
At this point in the season, it’s not about waiting for someone to develop into a complete player. It’s about finding contributors who can do one thing really well - and letting them do it. Peebles might not be the answer to every question on this defense, but he could be the spark the pass rush needs.
And right now, the Ravens need that spark more than ever.