The 2000 Ravens season resulted in their first Super Bowl Championship. The Ravens won despite having an offense that underperformed. This is bevause the 2000 Ravens defense was the greatest defense of all-time.
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There is no debate. The Ravens defense was the greatest defense. Surely the “Steel Curtain” had it’s rain in the 1970’s. Yes the 1985 Chicago Bears were ferocious. The 2000 Ravens greatness however outshines any defensive performance in NFL history.
The 2000 Ravens went 5 games in the regular season without a touchdown. The Ravens won two of those games. Trent Dilfer gave the offense a fighting chance but let’s not mistake him for a great quarterback.
No great defense had to do more for their team than the 2000 Ravens. Terry Bradshaw was overrated but he was still a good quarterback. Lynn Swann and Franco Harris were legendary players that helped him out too. The 1985 Bears had argubally the best running back of all time in Walter Payton and a sometimes very prolific Jim McMahon.
The 2000 Ravens put up an impenetrable wall. It was impossible to win with power against that defense. Rob Burnett and Michael McCrary played outside contain brilliantly. Tony Siragusa and Sam Adams clogged up the interior rushing lanes. A youthful Ray Lewis roamed from sideline to sideline. The 2000 Ravens allowed the fewest rushing yards in a season.
To beat the Ravens teams had to throw the football. The Ravens were pretty good at shutting down the passing game as well. Peter Boulware, McCrary and Burnett were great pass rushers. Chris McAlister and Duane Starks were a pair of shut down cornerbacks. Rod Woodson was a legendary free safety. Kim Herring was not too shabby either at the strong safety position.
The 2000 Ravens allowed just 165 points to be scored against them, which is a record for a 16 game NFL season. There were games where the opponent found just crossing the fifty yard line almost impossible, let alone getting in the end zone. They were dominant.
In four postseason games the Ravens only allowed opponents to score 23 points. Seven of those points were a kickoff return for a touchdown in the Super Bowl. 9 of those points were from field goals. Only one offensive touchdown was scored against the Ravens in that playoff run.
At the end of the day you take all the facts and form your own opinion. I just don’t know how anyone could stack all of these facts up in a way that leads to any other conclusion. As a Ravens fan I have seen many great defensive units. The 2000 Ravens defense stands alone as the greatest defense I have ever witnessed. I believe it is the greatest defense of all time.