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2017 Baltimore Ravens: Why this is different than last year

By Chris Schisler

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback DeShone Kizer #7 of the Cleveland Browns gets off a pass while being tackled by outside linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback DeShone Kizer #7 of the Cleveland Browns gets off a pass while being tackled by outside linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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The Baltimore Ravens are 2-0. The way they’re playing, Jacksonville shouldn’t pose much of a problem. The Ravens were 3-0 last year before the train fell off the tracks. Here is why this year is different.

Last year the Baltimore Ravens barely scraped by the Buffalo Bills in the season opener. They shut down Tyrod Taylor, LeSean Mccoy and Sammy Watkins, but not exactly in thrilling fashion. In week 2 of the 2016 season the Ravens had to comeback from a 20-2 deficit against the Cleveland Browns. Baltimore found a way to beat Jacksonville last year, despite making every mistake you could make.

The 2016 Ravens started the season with shaky wins against bad opponents. While the 2017 Ravens really haven’t played anyone of real merit, they have won two games in dominating efforts. The purple and black started this season with a 20-0 shutout of the Cincinnati Bengals. They forced five turnovers and sacked Andy Dalton five times. They followed it up with a 24-10 win against the Browns. The defense added another five takeaways in the week 2 win.

Total domination:

If you can’t see the difference between this year and last year, you’re either blind or still harboring frustrations from the prior season. In two games the Ravens have put up 44 points and only allowed 10. That’s about as dominant as it gets in the National Football League.

While the Ravens first two opponents are 0-2, the Ravens deserve credit for what they have done. It’s funny how Dalton and his allotment of weapons were supposed to beat the Ravens, and now everyone thinks the Bengals are horrible. The Browns were supposed to be a trap game. They almost beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 1. The Ravens didn’t fall into the trap, did they?

John Harbaugh must be a pretty happy man right now. Ozzie Newsome should be delighted as well. So far the plan is working. The Ravens have a turnover ratio of +7 and have committed to the running game again. In both games Baltimore has gained over 100 rushing yards, which is something the 2016 Ravens seldom did. A great defense, check. A running game, check. Big plays, check. In the season opener the Ravens had a 46 yard touchdown pass and in week 2 Buck Allen had a 37 yard run. When you look at the Ravens checklist, every component the Ravens wanted to bring in, is there.

The Bottom Line:

The Ravens defense is one of the best, if not the best defense in the NFL. The takeaways are coming fast and almost all of them have been when the team really needed it. Think about it. Terrell Suggs stripped Dalton of the ball in the red zone. The Ravens have picked passes off in the end zone. Eric Weddle’s pick against the Browns halted a beautifully brewing Browns’ drive.

Next: Ravens report card: Grading the week 2 win

When the 2016 Ravens went 3-0 it was almost lucky. They simply scraped by and hoped their opponent made more mistakes than them. The 2017 Ravens have a plan and they are executing it perfectly. The 2017 Ravens are winning in thrilling fashion, not frustrating fashion. It’s a long season. Harbaugh and company have to take it one game at a time, but they are off to a good start. This is a different Ravens team, and it could be special.

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