Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles is going to feel the effects of Sunday's game the next few days.
The rookie took a pounding from an aggressive Ravens defense that sacked him eight times in Baltimore's 20-12 victory at M&T Bank Stadium.
"It's incredible – our pass rush has been phenomenal," Head Coach John Harbaugh said.
The relentless pass rush by the Ravens kept the Jaguars from getting into much of an offensive rhythm, and it was a big part of the reason the Ravens didn't allow a touchdown. The eight sacks were the most the Ravens have racked up in a game since their Thanksgiving victory over the San Francisco 49ers in 2011.
"Life is good," outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil said. "Sacks come in bunches. Every sack man knows that. When you get an opportunity, you just have to take full advantage of it."
Dumervil has paced Baltimore's pass rush throughout the season, and his 17 sacks are tied for the most in the NFL. But the veteran pass rusher wasn't the only one getting in on the action Sunday, as he only had one sack on the day.
Terrell Suggs (2.5 sacks), Timmy Jernigan (two), Pernell McPhee (1.5) and C.J. Mosley (one) also took down Bortles.
"We have a fantastic scheme," Suggs said. "Our defensive coordinator, Dean Pees, he's calling a phenomenal game. But at the end of the day, the players got to execute and it comes down to sometimes you've got to beat a guy. We've got guys beating their guys. The rook, the champ – Timmy Jernigan – he's balling. Pernell McPhee, he's balling. And of course Elvis Dumervil, he's balling."
Getting contributions across the board is critical for a Ravens defense that is playing with a banged-up secondary. The injury woes continued against Jacksonville, as the Ravens lost cornerback Asa Jackson and safety Terrence Brooks to knee injuries.
The hobbled secondary has been exploited at times this year, but Baltimore's pass rush never allowed Bortles the time to pick apart the defense.
"We're having a blast," McPhee said. "The defensive backs have been playing great lately and giving us time to get to the quarterback. The coaches are putting together great gameplans for us, and* *[Pees is] just letting us hunt."
The pass rush this year has been the best the Ravens have had in years. Suggs and Dumervil have combined for 28 sacks, which is the most for a duo in Ravens history. They also have the most combined sacks of any pass rushing duo in the NFL this year.
Suggs is used to being the sack leader in Baltimore throughout his 11-year career, but the veteran defender acknowledged after the victory that the likelihood is slim that he'll catch Dumervil in this year's race.
"Let's call a spade a spade: The man is having an outstanding season," Suggs said. "If he keeps it up, he's probably going to win the Deacon Jones Award [for having the most sacks in the NFL]. But I'm going to line up every day and try to catch him. We have two left. But if I don't, I'll take two wins. I guarantee you that I'll take two wins."
