Why Ravens Need To Worry about Alex Anzalone
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone is quietly enjoying a career-best campaign so far in 2023.
A team captain for the third straight season, he's the de facto leader of the Lions' vastly improved defense. The next test for the defense is a battle with Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, a challenge that Anzalone and his teammates should be ready for.
The seventh-year pro is coming off one of his best performances of the season. It was a nine-tackle performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in which he also recorded a tackle for loss and a season-best two passes defensed.
It also marked the third straight game in which the veteran linebacker recorded an overall Pro Football Focus defensive grade of at least 80.0. It's the first time in his career in which he's produced an 80.0-or-better overall grade in three consecutive contests.
On the season, Anzalone has earned a 76.3 overall defensive grade from PFF, the fourth-best mark among all Lions defenders and the 20th-best mark among all linebackers in '23.
Additionally, he's helped spearhead a Detroit defense that has been absolutely stout against the run. Through six weeks, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn's unit has failed to allow a single opponent to rush for 100 yards, and in three of the last four weeks, the opposition has accumulated no more than 46 yards on the ground.
With that said, thus far this season, the Lions have allowed just 388 total rushing yards, the lowest number of rushing yards in the league. Additionally, they've permitted a measly 3.3 yards per carry, the second-best mark in the league.
Anzalone, for his efforts alone, has earned a PFF grade of 73.3 against the run.
Meanwhile, the former New Orleans Saints defender has proven to be more than competent in coverage. He's already compiled four passes defensed – his season-high total stands at seven (2021) – and he's impressively recorded a PFF grade of 75.0 against the pass. Currently, that mark stands as the Lions' third-best pass coverage grade.
Anzalone possesses a motor that never stops, and finds a way to constantly be in position to make a play. It's why it should come as no surprise that he leads all Detroit defenders with 44 total tackles on the season.
And, on Sunday, I'm expecting the Ravens to get a solid taste of Anzalone's tenacity and relentless nature.
There is absolutely no way of zapping the savvy linebacker of his energy. And, I believe Baltimore will find out the hard way, with every crushing blow he delivers to the Ravens' ball-carriers (i.e. Gus Edwards and Justice Hill) and pass-catchers (i.e. Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews) in this Week 7 tilt.
So, in case you were wondering, Baltimore undoubtedly needs to worry about Anzalone on Sunday.
