Baltimore Ravens: How the defense is so dominant in today’s NFL

In an NFL where offense rules, the Ravens refuse to lose their defensive prowess.

It’s no secret that today’s NFL is built around high powered offenses. A team is almost forced to be pass happy if they want to contend game in and game out. Obviously, the league loves this because the higher the score, the higher the ratings. Rules have been placed to make it hard for defense to be the dominant side of the ball. Defenders are scared to place a hand on the quarterback in fear of drawing a flag.

Last Sunday night provides the perfect example of how today’s league affects the defenses chances of controlling the game. Chiefs linebacker, Breeland Speaks had Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady wrapped up for a sack inside their own five. But in fear of being hit with  a penalty, Speaks released his grasp of Brady, which allowed him to walk his way into the end zone. The NFL has practically removed any sense of dominance from the defensive side of football.

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However, this leads to the topic of the article. How can the Ravens defense be so impressive with all of the implications against them? No touchdowns have been allowed in the second half of six consecutive games to start the season. Leading the NFL with twenty-six sacks, first in passing yards allowed per game at 188, surrendering only eighty-three rushing yards a game good for third in the NFL. The Baltimore defense has given up seventy-seven total points to opposing offenses. Good for first in the league by a wide margin, with the next closest being Chicago at ninety-six.  In  today’s league, it is extremely rare to see a team at the top of almost every major defensive statistical category.

The numbers being put up by the Baltimore defense are video game like. It all has to start with discipline. Don “Wink” Martindale makes sure his guys are ready for whoever the next opponent may be. Players stay in their lanes and maintain their coverage throughout the game. The Ravens have not shot themselves in the foot, hardly at all this year and that has made it easy to get opposing offenses off the field quickly and consistently.

Baltimore has talent at all three levels of their defense. Starting up front with the tandem Brandon Williams and Michael Pierce who can close up any hole and stuff the running game of any offense. In the middle, CJ Mosley, Patrick Owuansor, and Kenny Young have monitored the middle of the field and are able to penetrate up front thanks to the interior lineman. The secondary has played lights out and has the ability to take the air out of any team’s passing game. This, I believe, is the biggest reason for the Ravens success. Holding teams to under 200 passing yards a game is unheard of in today’s league. They have contained every passing attack they have faced, (outside of the first half versus Cincinnati) and look to be getting better and better as the weeks go.

The Ravens refuse to become a one sided team, no matter how high powered offenses become. Defense will always be what Baltimore football is about and they will continue to believe in that philosophy. Defense does win championships after all.