Oct 26, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; the Arizona Cardinals offense squares off against the Baltimore Ravens defense during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
2000 season – The Ravens finish 1st in the NFL in fewest points allowed per game on defense with 10.3.
For years, the cliche’ has been prevalent that offense wins games, but defense wins championships. The 2000 Baltimore Ravens, perhaps more than any NFL team in history, proved that statement to be true.
That vaunted defense notched four shutouts against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, and the Dallas Cowboys. In seven other games, they allowed just one touchdown.
The 2000 Ravens defense gave up a total of 165 points all season while racking up 26 fumbles, 23 interceptions, and 35 sacks. Their pass defense ranked 7th in the NFL while their run defense ranked 1st.
This Baltimore Ravens defense, referred to as “Organized Chaos,” is often named as the best in NFL history over the likes of the 70’s Pittsburgh Steelers “Steel Curtain,” the 1985 Chicago Bears and their “46-Defense,” and the most recent 2013-14 Seattle Seahawks “Legion of Boom.”
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This historic defense, led by Ray Lewis, Rod Woodson, Chris McCalister, Peter Boulware, Jamie Sharper, Rob Burnett, Duane Starks, Michael McCrary, Tony Siragusa, and O.J. Brigance, went on to win Super Bowl XXXV and yet again made history by not allowing an offensive touchdown in their 1st Super Bowl win over the then NFC Champion New York Giants.