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Do The Baltimore Ravens Have A Championship Caliber Defense?

By Chris Schisler

Sep 25, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Kyle Arrington (24) and inside linebacker Zach Orr (54) run after intercepting the ball during the second half of a football game against the Jacksonville Jaguarsat EverBank Field. The Baltimore Ravens won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Kyle Arrington (24) and inside linebacker Zach Orr (54) run after intercepting the ball during the second half of a football game against the Jacksonville Jaguarsat EverBank Field. The Baltimore Ravens won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 25, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) runs the ball in the second half as Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) defends at EverBank Field. Baltimore Ravens won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) runs the ball in the second half as Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) defends at EverBank Field. Baltimore Ravens won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

Why The Ravens Defense Is So Good

The Ravens pass defense has been their weakness for a while. This season however it has been a strength. The Ravens front seven takes the run away and makes teams one dimensional. The Ravens have an improved secondary and a speedy group of linebackers that are given plenty of chances to shine. With Eric Weddle and Lardarius Webb playing amazing in the back end of the Ravens defense, Dean Pees has more flexibility. Jimmy Smith and Shareece Wright now have more deep help. They can play more aggressive now and are winning the match up most of the time (all you can ask a corner to do).

When it has mattered most the Ravens defense has been a brick wall. The Ravens gave the Jaguars what seemed like a million chances to beat them. In the fourth quarter the Ravens defense stopped the Jaguars. The Bills stayed within striking range of the Ravens when they scored a touchdown in week one. When the Bills scored that touchdown the pressure was on. The Ravens offense only scored one touchdown and the defense had to win the game.

The Ravens defense is built for the passing league that the NFL is. In three games the Ravens have nine sacks and five interceptions. The Ravens couldn’t make a big defensive play to save their lives last season. This year the Ravens are making these kind of plays left and right. The Ravens are tied for seventh in the NFL in sacks tallied. They are tied for second in interceptions.

Next: Ravens Beat Jaguars: The Good, Bad, & The Ugly

The Ravens have done this without Elvis Dumervil. When Dumervil returns the Ravens defense could be even better. Terrell Suggs had two sacks last week against the Jaguars and looked as sizzling as ever. When Dumervil is back, the Ravens will have one of the best pass rushing combinations in football.

Last season we saw what Von Miler and DeMarcus Ware have done for the Broncos. We know how incredibly important pass rush can be. Quarterbacks still rule the world, but now pass rushers can rule the roost. Remember one thing though. The Ravens offense may be struggling but Joe Flacco is a Super Bowl MVP. If and when the Ravens get the offense going they could have a dominant defense and a red hot quarterback. In that case, the Ravens would have a great chance to make some noise in the playoffs.

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