The Baltimore Ravens’ defense has wreaked havoc on the rival’s offense with formidable defensive tackles like Justin Madubuike. Meanwhile, their dual-threat quarterback, Lamar Jackson, is doing his part the best on the offensive side to snatch huge victories in back-to-back games.
Along with the MVP QB in the squad, Madubuike and his destructive weapons have secured eleven victories till now. With an 11-3 record, the team is now sitting atop the AFC North with the aim of claiming the division title. Meanwhile, Madubuike earned a new accolade for himself by setting a new NFL record in their Week 15 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Justin Madubuike touches impressive NFL record
Justin Madubuike has not just broken out in the 2023 NFL season; he has redefined the standards of success at his position. Ahead of the match against the Jaguars on “Sunday Night Football,” he notched at least a half-sack in his 11th consecutive game, thus matching the NFL record. This outstanding performance has already earned him a position in the Ravens’ history by setting a franchise record for consecutive games with a half-sack.
The veteran found himself at the forefront for the Ravens by recording his twelfth sack, which ranks him among the NFL’s top ten players in this category. His feat of tying seasoned veterans like Chris Jones, Trey Hendrickson, Jared Allen, and Shaun Ellis speaks volumes about the impact he’s made within a short span.
The defining moment arrived when the Ravens star took down Jacksonville’s injured quarterback, Trevor Lawrence in the fourth quarter. His contribution of 1 sack, 4 QB hits, and 1 tackle paved the way for the Ravens’ commanding 23-7 victory in Week 15.
Hailing as a third-round pick in 2020, Jusin Madubuike’s trajectory to this historic milestone is a proof of his immense talent and relentless work ethic. Following a commendable start to his career with 8.5 sacks in his first three seasons, his exponential growth in this campaign has been nothing short of spectacular, as he surpassed his career total in just 11 games of this season.
Ravens DT earns praise from Roquan Smith
Ahead of the Ravens’ match against the Jaguars, Justin Madubuike voiced an ambitious determination, saying, “Honestly, I told myself, ‘I need to step up and be the best defensive tackle in the league.’ There’s a lot of guys in the league that are really great, but I believe in myself.” Little did he know that this self-belief would soon translate into a historic performance.
The DT became the first Ravens player since Terrell Suggs in 2017 to achieve double-digit sacks in a single season. His relentless pursuit of the quarterback didn’t stop there, as he also forced a critical fumble, which led to a Ravens recovery and subsequently extended their lead by 16 points in the fourth quarter with a field goal.
The veteran’s impact reverberated beyond statistics, and his teammates, including linebacker Roquan Smith, lauded his work ethic and dedication. He lauded Justin’s quiet determination and unwavering commitment to excellence.
“I’m just so proud of the guy. The guy just puts his head down and doesn’t really say a lot. [He] busts his tail day in and day out. You can’t do anything but respect him,” Smith said via the Baltimore Ravens.
Justin Madubuike’s defensive prowess in the pass rush has not been witnessed in Baltimore for years. His sack count stands as the most by a Ravens interior lineman since Trevor Pryce’s 13 sacks in 2006.
Beyond his on-field performance, he has the ability to execute various defensive strategies, from gang stunts to disrupting passes and tackling in the run game. His physique also looks like a “wild animal,” and Smith thinks his teammate is jack of all trades.
“The guy can do it all. If you’re running gang [stunts] with him, he’s elite. If you just want him to rush the passer, he can do that. [In the] run game, the guy can strike blockers, guards – whatever the case may be. He’s shredded. Have you ever seen the guy with his shirt off? The guy looks like a wild animal. I wish I looked like that.”
The Week 15 win gave the Ravens their fourth consecutive victory as they secured a coveted spot in the postseason and came closer to claiming the No. 1 seed with home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
