In the 30 seasons the Ravens have been in Baltimore, they have built their identity on a dominant and hard-hitting defense.
Since Zach Orr took over as the team’s defensive coordinator from Mike Macdonald in 2024, what was once considered the team’s biggest strength has now become its biggest weakness under his leadership.
Ravens Defense Goes From Strength to Weakness
Before the Ravens promoted Zach Orr from inside linebackers coach to defensive coordinator, Mike Macdonald held the reins of the defense. Under his leadership, the Ravens consistently ranked among the NFL’s best defenses.
The Ravens, in their first year under Macdonald’s system, improved from 19th in scoring defense to third, 30th in passing touchdowns allowed to fifth, and 23rd in defensive EPA to 11th.
They also went from allowing 20 touchdowns and grabbing 14 interceptions in Macdonald’s first year as a DC to 18 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. Mike Macdonald’s dominant defense complemented Baltimore’s explosive offense during the time he was there.
The Ravens’ defense has been night and day different in the two seasons Orr has been in charge. In Orr’s first year, the Ravens ranked 31st in pass defense, allowing 244.1 yards per game.
After struggling against the pass last year, the Ravens’ defense took another step back this season. The Ravens defense in 2025 ranks 32nd in opponent plays per game, 31st in opponent yards per game, 32nd in opponent time of possession, 30th in sacks, and 32nd in points allowed.
What Went Wrong for Zach Orr?
The drop off in play under Orr’s Leadership is vastly noticeable. Since he took over, the team has struggled with communication, staying focused, and making adjustments.
A good example of this was in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills. The Ravens had a 15-point lead entering the fourth quarter and proceeded to let the Bills erupt for 22 unanswered points, allowing Josh Allen to throw for 251 yards on 16 of 21 passes and a touchdown, while also running for two more to steal the win.
When he first got promoted from linebacker coach to DC, Orr said he wanted his unit to be “violent – very violent [and] physical. That’s just the standard here. Everything we’re going to do is going to be with physicality and violence. Then, just execution – executing at a high level, executing in certain situations, and executing all the time.”
Safe to say the Ravens defense has been far from violent or physical.
This year, the Ravens are 24th in third down defense, with teams converting 41.9% of the time, 27th on fourth down defense — teams are 9-for-11 when going for it on fourth down — and are bottom of the league in sacks at just four, good for 30th in the league.
Injuries
As if the lack of success on the defensive line and the terrible play by the corners and safety weren’t enough, the Ravens are an infirmary. Baltimore has been decimated by injuries to its defense, with seven of its 11 starters currently sidelined.
Still, while injuries are playing a part in the Ravens’ defense decline, the truth is, they were at the bottom of a lot of defensive metrics last season and before the injuries got out of hand.
Additionally, in the NFL, teams must adopt the ‘next man up’ mentality. Even the best defenses deal with injuries, but the Ravens have yet to demonstrate the ability to adapt at all under Orr.
Blitzing Without Results
If the Ravens want to save their season, they need to make a few key changes. Giving up 33 points per game, is incredibly unsustainable, even with a top-three offense scoring 32.8 ppg.
First, they need to start defending the pass better, but they can help themselves by getting to the quarterback more effectively. They have 45 blitzes on dropbacks this season and have yet to produce a sack.
Against the Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes went 8-of-13 for 91 yards and a touchdown pas against the blitz. When the Ravens weren’t blitzing, Baltimore only recorded five pressures on 25 dropbacks.
Mix in players not playing up to par, like second-round pick Mike Green, who has zero sacks on 119 defensive snaps, and it’s clear the Ravens have a ways to go before they can produce effective pressure.
Pressure Mounting Despite Harbaugh’s Support
Despite facing mounting pressure from fans calling for his job, Harbaugh put a vote of confidence back to Orr. “I have confidence in all of our guys, including Zach Orr, our players, our coaches, and I watch our guys every day,” Harbaugh said.
While it’s clear he still has support from Harbaugh and the rest of the organization, if something doesn’t change soon, Zach Orr will be out as the Ravens’ DC, and Baltimore will start to look to someone else to fix their issues on defense.
Bottom Line
It’s clear under Orr’s leadership that the Ravens’ defense has taken a step back, and it’s evident that he’s sometimes over his head. But if he doesn’t figure something out soon, he will be facing bigger problems than not making the postseason.
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