Ravens: Inside linebackers finding form

One key to any great 3-4 defense is the ability of the inside linebackers to both get off blocks in run support, and hold their own in a variety of coverage schemes. The Ravens struggled in this area early in the season. First-round rookie C.J. Mosley posted three negative grades over his first six games, while fellow starter Daryl Smith posted five negatives over the same span. A +7.1 grade against Carolina saved Mosley, but after Week 6 Smith’s -6.9 overall grade ranked 52nd out of 63 qualifying inside linebackers.

However from Week 7 to Week 10, Smith and Mosley were the two highest graded ILB's in the league, with the former posting a league-leading +9.1 and the latter an impressive +6.6. Both have posted positive grades each of the last 4 weeks prior to their bye. Mosley has excelled against the run, his +11.6 grade is second-best at the position, while his 11.4 Run Stop Percentage ranks fourth. While Smith has impressed in Coverage, allowing just one reception for every 14.2 snaps in coverage, and just 0.69 yards per cover snap, both marks are sixth-best among starting inside linebackers.