Kyle Van Noy wore a sweatshirt that read "Double Digit Sack Club" in the locker room after Saturday's victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It was given to him by Pass Rush Coach Chuck Smith after Van Noy's 1.5-sack performance lifted him to a career-high 10.5 for the season.
Pass rushers don't typically have their most productive year at age 33, but Van Noy is proving being in the 30s club doesn't disqualify you from the Double Digit Sack Club.
"He's always been able to rush the passer – since he's been here, he has," Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "He just has a good knack for the game. He has a sense of where the quarterback's going to go.
"It's awesome to see him get all these sacks. It's great to see."
None of this is surprising to Van Noy, who knew he had plenty left when he re-signed with the Ravens during the offseason. He was coming off a nine-sack season in 2023, which at that point was a career high. But instead of resting on his laurels, Van Noy went back to work during the offseason and returned in great shape.
He leads the Ravens in sacks and is tied for eighth in the NFL. More than just a sack artist, Van Noy has made 34 tackles and has forced two fumbles. Against the Steelers, he made a key fumble recovery when he pounced on the football near the goal line after Ar'Darius Washington's big hit on Russell Wilson.
Van Noy said he was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time, because he allowed Wilson to escape the pocket on his scramble.
"Honestly, it was kind of like an, 'Oh [crap]' play, because I lost contain," Van Noy said. "And then, I didn't give up on the play, right? Once I saw the ball on the ground, I was like, 'It's my ball.' I feel like I'm an offensive player on defense, so I always try to make a play."
Nobody on Baltimore's defense has more postseason experience than Van Noy, who won Super Bowl rings with the Patriots in 2016 and '18. He'd love to get another Lombardi Trophy with Baltimore.
"I've been fortunate to be in the league 11 years, and to be in the playoffs nine out of the 11, it's a blessing," Van Noy said. "I don't take it lightly. But we have so much more to do."
Van Noy's play has helped the Ravens (10-5) clinch a playoff spot, but he has already turned his attention to the Christmas Day game against the Houston Texans, with the AFC North title still up for grabs.
While he'd rather be spending Christmas at home with his family, Van Noy will be on the prowl looking to make more big plays against quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Texans' offense.
With just two games left in the regular season, Van Noy appears to be getting stronger.
This is Van Noy's fifth NFL team, but playing for the Ravens feels like home. He has never made the Pro Bowl, but he'd like to add that accomplishment to his list of career firsts.
"I'm just grateful for the guys that have been in the locker room and Chuck Smith, (Assistant Defensive Line Coach/Outside Linebackers) Matt (Robinson) and Coach Harbaugh for just allowing me to be me here, and it's been fun," Van Noy said.
"I've put in a lot of hard work. A lot of people wrote me off last year, and I believe I'm playing at a Pro Bowl level. So, all the voters out there, vote for your boy."
