WThe Baltimore Ravens delivered one of the most dominant wins of Week 15. They crushed the Cincinnati Bengals 24-0 on the road. The result officially eliminated their divisional rival from playoff contention. It also reinforced Baltimore’s identity as a defense- and run-oriented team. After the game, one locker room comment stood out above the rest.
Veteran linebacker Kyle Van Noy spoke clearly about the team’s direction. “We have to keep running the ball,” he said in a post shared by Bobby Trosset on X. “That is our style of football. We are a running team. I hope Monk keeps calling run plays and keeps designing them because if we can keep that run game going and stop people, we will be where we want to be in the playoffs.”
A game plan that worked perfectly
According to Essentiallysports, Van Noy’s words matched what happened on the field. Baltimore controlled the clock and dominated on the ground. The Ravens rushed for 189 yards on just 24 carries, clearly outpacing Cincinnati. Derrick Henry led the attack with 100 rushing yards. Keaton Mitchell added 66 yards, showing speed and explosiveness.
In contrast, Lamar Jackson posted limited passing numbers. He threw for only 128 yards and one interception. His two touchdowns came in the second quarter. The offense did not revolve around his arm. For Van Noy, that balance matters most. Less ball time for Jackson can mean more control. It can also reduce risk in critical moments.
Kyle Van Noy:
“We got to just continue to run the ball. That’s our brand of football. We are a running team. I hope Monk keeps calling the run plays and keeps designing ’em. … If I need to jump on that mic to Monk every once in a while … I’ll do that. He had a great game… pic.twitter.com/gPIkCyTc4q— Bobby Trosset (@bobbybaltim0re) December 15, 2025
Van Noy expanded on his stance during the KVN show. He praised the coaching staff’s commitment to the run game. He urged offensive coordinator Todd Monken to stay the course. Also, he even joked about speeding up some rushing calls. Van Noy also praised Mitchell, highlighting his “explosive plays” as a key factor.
Meanwhile, the defense completely shut down Joe Burrow. Cincinnati failed to score a single point. That dominance allowed the conservative approach to succeed without pressure. In that context, Van Noy’s message gains strength. He wants a physical identity. ants to wear opponents down. He also wants to ease the burden on the quarterback.
The statement was not a direct criticism of Jackson. It reflected a strategic vision. The Ravens look more dangerous when they diversify the offense. They become harder to stop when they do not rely solely on their star. Looking ahead to the playoffs, that formula could separate a solid team from a true contender.
