Mike Green’s Development Has Ravens’ Defense ‘Excited for What’s Next,’ Says Harbaugh
The Baltimore Ravens are starting to feel the full impact of their rookie edge rusher Mike Green, and head coach John Harbaugh couldn’t be more excited. With each passing game, Green’s progress on the field is not just helping the team’s defense but has the entire organization looking forward to what he can accomplish in the future. Harbaugh recently shared his excitement about Green’s rapid development, stating,
Since entering the league, Green has quickly proven himself to be a valuable asset to the Ravens’ defensive unit. His performance has surpassed expectations, with his ability to pressure the quarterback and disrupt the pocket being a standout trait. Green’s ability to both rush the passer and support against the run has made him an all-around defender — the kind of player that can help balance the Ravens' defense and keep opposing offenses on their toes. Harbaugh has consistently praised Green for his maturity, work ethic, and his ability to impact the game in multiple ways.
The development of Green has given the Ravens’ defense an added layer of flexibility, allowing them to be more dynamic in their defensive schemes. Whether it's pressuring the quarterback or setting the edge in the running game, Green’s versatility allows the Ravens to mix up their defensive looks and stay unpredictable. His continued growth means that the defense can do more, which in turn allows the entire team to be more aggressive and effective.
What’s even more promising for the Ravens is that Green’s journey is far from over. While his performances have already earned him praise, there is still potential for him to evolve into one of the NFL’s top edge rushers. Harbaugh's words about Green’s future reflect the belief that the rookie has only scratched the surface of his potential. The combination of his physical tools, work ethic, and adaptability could make him a key figure in the Ravens' defense for years to come.
For Ravens fans, the excitement surrounding Mike Green is palpable. After years of being known for their elite defense, the team now has a new young player who can help carry that legacy forward. Green’s rapid rise in the NFL is a clear indication that the Ravens are building something special, and the best is still yet to come.
With the playoffs still within reach, the Ravens’ defense — now bolstered by Green — is more than capable of playing at a high level. As Green continues to develop and gain experience, the future of the Ravens’ defense looks brighter than ever. Harbaugh and the rest of the coaching staff will be watching closely to see how Green continues to evolve, but one thing is for sure: Baltimore’s defensive future is in good hands.
Buccaneers Hold a Major Advantage for the Rest of the Season
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have faced one of the toughest schedules in the NFL this season. According to Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis, Tampa Bay has played the league’s second-hardest schedule through Weeks 12. That shouldn’t come as a surprise — the Buccaneers have already taken on several top teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, and Los Angeles Rams. That is a list of seven teams that have a chance to make a deep playoff run come January.
Even with the brutal strength of schedule so far, the Buccaneers have still managed to stay above .500, entering Week 13 with a 6–5 record. Although Tampa Bay has dropped three games in a row, things could very likely turn around for them thanks to what their remaining regular-season schedule looks like.
According to Warren Sharp, the Buccaneers rank first in strength of schedule for the rest of the season, meaning they have the easiest remaining schedule.
“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the easiest remaining strength of schedule for the 2025 NFL season,” wrote Sharp. “These rankings are based on the total efficiency of the remaining opponents.”
GettyThe Buccaneers will look to get back on track after taking a tough loss against the Los Angeles Rams last week.
Look Into the Matchups
The Buccaneers will play six more games this season and barring any key injuries, Tampa Bay will most likely be favored in all of them. The remaining schedule does not include a team that has a winning record through Week 12.
The teams the Buccaneers will face, in order, are the Arizona Cardinals (3–8), New Orleans Saints (2–9), Atlanta Falcons (4–7), Carolina Panthers (6–6), Miami Dolphins (4–7), and the Carolina Panthers (6–6) again.
Most notably, the best team on the schedule is the Carolina Panthers, who sit just a half-game behind the Buccaneers in the race for the NFC South title. If Tampa Bay can handle business against the losing teams on the schedule and then beat Carolina in the final stretch of the season, things will look good for their playoff aspirations.
GettyThe Buccaneers and Panthers are in a close race for the division lead.
Key Player Getting More Involved
With star wide receiver Mike Evans injured, it’s crucial for the Buccaneers to get Chris Godwin back and heavily involved in the offense. Godwin returned last week after suffering a fibula injury in Week 5, but he wasn’t a major factor in his first game back.
“As expected, the Buccaneers took it slow with the return of wide receiver Chris Godwin after he had missed five games with a fibula injury. Godwin did not start the game against the Rams on Sunday night, and he was limited to 25 offensive snaps out of a possible 70. Head Coach Todd Bowles said on Monday that Godwin’s playing time would increase in Week 13 against the Cardinals,” wrote Scott Smith, senior writer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Getting Godwin up to speed would be huge for this Tampa Bay passing game, which already features standout rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, and would surely help the team take care of business in its remaining regular-season games.
According to Fox Sports, the Arizona Cardinals, whom the Buccaneers will play this week, rank 20th in passing defense, allowing 222.8 yards through the air per game over eleven games.
GettyGetting Chris Godwin more involved in the offense will help the Buccaneers.
