Last week, the Ravens' defense held Joe Burrow scoreless for the first time in his career. The unit is hoping that performance is only the beginning for a stout finish to the regular season.
Baltimore will face a trio of proven quarterbacks in its final three games, starting with MVP candidate Drake Maye of the New England Patriots on Sunday night. Then Baltimore will see Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers) in Week 17 and Aaron Rodgers (Pittsburgh Steelers) in Week 18.
Pro Bowl safety Kyle Hamilton thinks the Ravens' defense can build off its 24-0 victory over Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals.
"I think it's a confidence builder, definitely," Hamilton said. "Cincinnati's kind of had our number since I've been here.
"I can't remember a performance that we left the Cincinnati game feeling good about ourselves. I think that was a big confidence boost for our defense, knowing what we're capable of."
Hamilton said the defense has no intention of resting on the Cincinnati performance. It was a shutout, but it wasn't perfect.
"Still watching that film and knowing what we could be better at is a big thing for us," Hamilton said. "The scoreboard says zero points, which is obviously what we love at the end of the day. But there's still a lot of stuff we can get better at these last few games into the playoffs."
Devontez Walker Roots for Maye Every Week But This One
Some may be surprised by Maye's quick ascension into the MVP chatter, but not Ravens wide receiver Devontez Walker.
Maye was Walker's college quarterback for the 2023 season at North Carolina and the two connected for 41 receptions, 699 yards, and seven touchdowns.
"When he got to the league, I knew he was going to hit the ground running. In college, you could see it on him, how advanced he was. I had no doubt he was going to be real good in the league," Walker said.
Walker said Maye was advanced in how he processes defenses, goes through his progressions, and has a quick release.
"He had all the intangibles of a great NFL quarterback," Walker said.
The two are still in touch and last talked in October. Walker said he roots for Maye to do well – outside of this week.
"That's somebody that enhanced my career in college." Walker said. "We worked real well together. When he's out there doing his thing, it puts a smile on my face."
Tyler Loop and Andy Borregales to Take Center Stage Once Again
Walker and Maye won't be the only two familiar faces on opposite sidelines Sunday night.
Tyler Loop and Patriots kicker Andy Borregales will square off against each other for the first time in the NFL on Sunday after being the first two kickers off the board in April's draft. New England took Borregales in the sixth round at No. 182 overall and Loop received the call from Baltimore four picks later.
Loop said he's known Borregales for a while through what he described as a kicking fraternity. The two attended the same kicking camps through their high school years, where their competitive spirit came out.
"If you're going to be at this level, you have to be a competitor," Loop said. "We'd compete at those camps, during training, in the pre-draft process. Competition makes everyone better. When you're competing against good players like him, he's made me better and I make him better."
Among full-time kickers, Loop has the NFL's fourth-best field goal percentage (92.9). He's made 26 of 28 attempts. Borregales isn't far behind him with three misses in 27 attempts and an 88.9% conversion rate.
Borregales hit a 52-yard game-winner to beat the Buffalo Bills earlier this season. Loop hasn't had the chance to kick a game-winning field goal yet, but perhaps it could come this Sunday.
"It would be sick to win that way," Loop said. "At this point, I just want to win. I just want to win the games and get to the playoffs. That's where our team is at, and if I have to kick a game-winner, then great."
