Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy remains determined to record his first sack against quarterback Aaron Rodgers, nearly ten years after Rodgers repeatedly outplayed him. Van Noy has been hunting his moment to even the score from the days when Rodgers dominated Van Noy’s Detroit Lions defense. This season, with both players in the AFC North, Van Noy is focused on facing Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers with renewed purpose, driven by a long-standing desire for revenge in their ongoing rivalry.
Recalling a Defining Play That Fueled Van Noy’s Motivation
Van Noy recounted a memorable incident on NFL Network’s The Insiders, explaining how Rodgers once capitalized on aggressive coverage designed by the Steelers’ defensive coordinator. Van Noy said,
“I’ll tell you a quick Aaron Rodgers story that I would like to get him back, It was actually back when I was in Detroit playing inside linebacker. For whatever reason, the d-coordinator, who is actually the d-coordinator of the Steelers, wanted to go Cover Zero all game against Aaron Rodgers. He caught us. Ended up scoring a touchdown to Jordy Nelson. Ended up walking behind and kinda tapped me on the butt like, ‘nice try.’”
He emphasized the lasting impact of that play, stating,
“So I gotta get him back for that. That’s been there for 10 years.”
Van Noy’s Growth Into a Premier Pass Rusher
Following his time with the Detroit Lions, where he faced Rodgers multiple times without success, Van Noy’s career took a significant turn. After being traded to the New England Patriots and later joining the Ravens, he became a formidable pass rusher. Last season, he recorded a career-high 12.5 sacks, earning his first Pro Bowl selection in his 11th NFL year. Among his standout performances was a Week 17 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he logged five tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery, helping Baltimore secure a victory over their division rivals.
Van Noy’s Perspective on Rodgers and the Steelers’ Offense
Although eager to add Rodgers to his list of sacked quarterbacks, Van Noy expressed respect for the quarterback’s abilities and leadership. He described Rodgers as a confident, elite player with multiple MVP titles, acknowledging the quarterback’s impact on the Steelers’ recent turnaround. Van Noy remarked on the Steelers’ promising direction under quarterback Rodgers and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, noting,
“I feel like they have a good offensive coordinator with Arthur Smith who is gonna get back to that ground and pound. And I’m excited to see Aaron Rodgers under center to see if he likes it or not.”
Smith’s offensive system often features Rodgers taking snaps under center to execute zone runs and play-action plays. Defensively, Van Noy and the Ravens aim to challenge Rodgers and disrupt the Steelers’ offense to maintain their dominance in the AFC North rivalry.
Recent History in AFC North Matchups and Upcoming Clashes
Van Noy’s chance to sack Rodgers won’t come early this season, as the Ravens do not face the Steelers until Week 14, with a rematch slated for the regular season finale. Baltimore has gained the upper hand recently, winning two of their last three matchups against Pittsburgh, including a decisive wild card playoff game last season. Despite falling to the Steelers in their first meeting last year, the Ravens bounced back to assert their control, a trend they hope to continue this season while Van Noy seeks his signature sack.
Future Opportunities for Rivalry and Responses
In the ongoing build-up to their confrontations, Rodgers is scheduled to appear on The Pat McAfee Show, providing an opportunity for comments or reactions to Van Noy’s intent and the evolving rivalry. The continued matchup between these two seasoned veterans adds intrigue to the AFC North competition, with Van Noy’s personal mission to sack Rodgers elevating the stakes whenever they face off on the field.