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Baltimore Ravens: Top 5 Surprises Through Week 5

By Chris Schisler

Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) pressured by Oakland Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack (52) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) pressured by Oakland Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack (52) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 3, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker C.J. Mosley (57) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The bengals won 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker C.J. Mosley (57) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The bengals won 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Surprise One: The Defense Is Not The Problem

Before the season, if you would have told me that the Ravens defense would be the strength of this team, I am not sure I would believe you. The Ravens defense was particularly awful last season. Before the season, I was thinking Dean Pees was a problematic defensive coordinator who loves soft coverage and a three man rush. Now I can’t stop crediting the Ravens defensive coordinator. The Ravens gave him the tools to be successful and he is doing a great job.

The preseason didn’t paint the Ravens as a defensive powerhouse. Cam Newton sliced up the defense on the first drive of the preseason. The next week saw Andrew Luck do the same thing to the Ravens. Honestly, we didn’t know what to expect from the Ravens defense. That makes the defensive dominance surprising.

Instead it looked like a balanced offense was about to be unleashed on the NFL. The Ravens run game was the toast of the town during the preseason. I guess this further devalues the preseason, as it didn’t give an accurate look at the real Ravens. The Ravens defense was awful last year. It looked disconcerting in the preseason. However it has been relatively unblemished in the young season. You may have seen it coming, but many didn’t.

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