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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Larry Brown Jr.

Nate Wiggins & Marlon Humphrey must excel in Ravens Playoff run

Baltimore Ravens defensive backs Nate Wiggins and Marlon Humphrey better hit the weight room hard this upcoming week at practice. The toughest wide receivers to cover in the entire NFL await them. 

Of course, the Ravens are expected to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers this upcoming Wild Card weekend, but that’s not where the most prominent and boldest enemies await. The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills both have household names as wide receivers, including De’Andre Hopkins, Amari Cooper, Keon Coleman, and tight-ends Dalton Kincaid, plus all-pro Travis Kelce. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr has to have his thinking cap on to scheme up the correct man and zone coverages versus each opponent in the post-season because Steelers Russell Wilson, Chiefs Patrick Mahomes, and Bills Josh Allen all can move in the pocket.

Furthermore, for the Ravens to make a difference versus the pass, they may want to use bracket techniques and press coverage to rush opponents in the passing game. Wiggins and Humphrey are both handsy defenders, so jamming wide receivers at the line of scrimmage and forcing opposing quarterbacks to throw into tight windows and toward the sideline.

Fans saw Wiggins grab an epic interception inside a flat zone scheme Orr drew up versus the Cleveland Browns last weekend. Hopefully, Humphrey and his journeyman Wiggins can make more miracles in the upcoming playoffs.

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