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Those who were complaining about the lack of a consistent pass rush out of Terrell Suggs a few weeks ago can't make those complaints anymore.
Suggs has been on fire lately, and after last night's two-sack effort, the Ravens' Pro Bowl outside linebacker has posted three sacks in two games and 6.5 on the season.
The problem now is that Suggs doesn't appear to be getting any help.
Here's Suggs' full stat line from last night: 4 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 quarterback hits, and 2 tackles for loss.
Here's the stat line for the rest of the Ravens' defenders combined: 0 sacks, 0 quarterback hits, and 1 tackle for loss.
Suggs was an absolute force last night off the edge, disrupting quarterback Matt Ryan's timing in the pocket, and drawing double teams throughout the game.
But outside of Sizzle, no one was able to get any consistent pressure on Ryan or even push the pocket, which allowed the third-year quarterback to complete 32 passes for a season-high 316 yards and three touchdowns.
While Joe Flacco was running for his life early in the game and was unable to go through his progressions because he consistently had defenders in his face, Ryan had time to survey the Falcons' spread offense and pick apart the Baltimore secondary.
The pass rush issues were especially apparent on third down, as Ryan was able to convert 60% of his opportunities when the Baltimore defense had a chance to get off the field with a stop.
Suggs got minimal help from his teammates last night, but that's been a trend throughout much of the season. The Ravens have gotten very little pressure of the edges, and opposing quarterbacks are starting to take advantage.
Outside linebacker Jarret Johnson posted a career year last season, but he's battled injuries this season and has contributed just half a sack through nine games.
Defensive end Cory Redding has bounced in and out of the starting lineup, and the free agent pickup has just one sack and 16 tackles on the season.
Paul Kruger is slowly making strides in his new role as a defensive end, but he's provided very little pressure in his playing time.
In fact, if you take away Suggs and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (who has five sacks from his inside position), the entire rest of the Baltimore defense has just 4.5 sacks on the season.
Suggs won't be getting called out by anyone this week for a lack of production. But those around him certainly should.
