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3 reasons the Baltimore Ravens will have the best defense in football

By Chris Schisler

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 11: Cornerback Jimmy Smith #22 of the Baltimore Ravens runs onto the field before the start of a game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 11: Cornerback Jimmy Smith #22 of the Baltimore Ravens runs onto the field before the start of a game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 11: Cornerback Jimmy Smith #22 of the Baltimore Ravens runs onto the field before the start of a game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 11: Cornerback Jimmy Smith #22 of the Baltimore Ravens runs onto the field before the start of a game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

The Baltimore Ravens will have the best defense in the National Football League:

The Baltimore Ravens are restoring their brand of football. When you think of Ravens football, Ray Lewis and dominant defense are undoubtedly your rapid fire associations. The Ravens defense from 2000-2011 was something special. Baltimore has since gotten away from the days of defensive glory. When the 2017 season starts this weekend, the purple and black will get back to their stingy defensive ways.

The Baltimore Ravens had a top 10 defense this year. It was a solid defense but it wasn’t especially strong in the secondary. Brandon Carr came in to replace Shareece Wright. The Ravens found two young studs in Marlon Humphrey and Jaylen Hill. Lardarius Webb is back where his career began, being a weapon over the slot receiver. Not to mention the addition of Tony Jefferson gives the Ravens a Swiss army knife of a tool for their defensive backfield.

The defense got a full renovation:

Related Story: Ravens defense built to stop the Steelers

The Ravens needed to get to the quarterback more consistently, so they spent three draft picks on front seven players. The Ravens now have four young outside linebackers who could start for almost every team in the NFL. Terrell Suggs now has a supporting cast of pass rushers. A breakout year for Brent Urban (who looked like a brand new player in the preseason) will generate more pass rush from the defensive line.

When you look at the Ravens defense, the improvements are obvious. The purple and black will have a fast defense that can stop the run better than anybody. They will be able to defend the pass, and their sack numbers are going to rise. The Ravens defense has a perfect blend of experience (i.e. Terrell Suggs, Eric Weddle, Jimmy Smith), youth (i.e. Matt Judon, Tyus Bowser, Michael Pierce) and speed. The Ravens defense is going to go from a solid defense to an incredible defense that makes plays. Turnovers and sacks will be the story for the Ravens defense this season. Here are three reasons why the defense will be the best in the NFL.

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