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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 9: Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after a sack in the first half against the Washington Redskins at M&T Bank Stadium on October 9, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 9: Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after a sack in the first half against the Washington Redskins at M&T Bank Stadium on October 9, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /

3. Their confidence will grow with each dominant performance:

The Ravens are going to shut down a lot of teams this season. With each time they essentially shut down the production of their opponent, they will gain confidence. When things go right, chemistry builds in the locker room. When the chemistry is just right, special things can happen. The 2000 defense is a great example of this. They had a clear leader in Ray Lewis. Tony Siragusa was a character that kept things light. Rod Woodson offered some veteran guidance to his teammates. The players fed off of each other, they just had the perfect thing going on. The 2017 defense has a chance to gain that same kind of swagger.

Football is a team game, and the energy of the team matters. Big plays create a spark, and all eleven members of the defense will get a jump start from them. When chemistry is on point, there are no miscommunication problems. There is nothing out of sync and the players don’t just do their job, they go all out for one another. If the Ravens defense goes out there and rocks out all season long, they will have a chance to be a special unit. Every player wants to be a part of something special. It’s hard to imagine that the Ravens could replicate the greatness of the 2000 defense. That was a once in a lifetime kind of thing. They can replicate that magical chemistry though. They can reignite that spark even if they can reach the same heights.

Next: Ravens vs. Bengals: 3 key match-ups to watch

Suggs is the unquestioned leader. The Ravens have a really fun defensive roster. Between the personality of Suggs and the dancing and the ear to ear smiles that Brandon Williams brings to the table, things won’t get too serious. Weddle is the calm and collected veteran leader. The defense has a chance to start the season strong against the Bengals and that’s just the starting point. This defense can be special.

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