Ebony Bird
FanSided

Comparing 2018 Ravens defense to Baltimore’s best defenses

By Richard Bradshaw

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Tony Jefferson #23 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after a defensive stop during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Tony Jefferson #23 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after a defensive stop during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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31 Dec 2000: Gus Ferotte #12 of the Denver Broncos is roughed up by Kevin McCrary #99 and the Baltimore Ravens defense as the Ravens defeated the Broncos 21-3 in their AFC Wildcard playoff game at PSINet Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger/ALLSPORT
31 Dec 2000: Gus Ferotte #12 of the Denver Broncos is roughed up by Kevin McCrary #99 and the Baltimore Ravens defense as the Ravens defeated the Broncos 21-3 in their AFC Wildcard playoff game at PSINet Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger/ALLSPORT /

2000 Ravens Defense:

Season stats: 10.3 PPG, 35 sacks, 23 interceptions, 19 forced fumbles

The cream of the crop. The greatest defense in NFL history has made its appearance on this list. All hail the 2000 Baltimore Ravens defense.

The 2000 Ravens defense had it all. Four shutouts that season and an NFL record 970 rushing yards allowed in 16 games, coupled with an insane Super Bowl run that included a Super Bowl XXXV victory, made this defense a unit to be remembered forever. Baltimore had won a Super Bowl within the team’s first five seasons in the NFL, a mark that has not since been topped and won’t be anytime soon.

The stats are sexy, but so are all the names… Ray Lewis was in his prime and was named Defensive Player of the Year and the Super Bowl XXXV MVP. Joining him were feared pass rushers Peter Boulware and Michael McCrary and a terrific secondary featuring Hall of Fame safety Rod Woodson as well as the dynamic cornerback duo of Chris McAlister and Duane Starks. Sprinkle in some guest appearances from studs like Rob Burnett and Adalius Thomas and the massive defensive line headlined by Tony Siragusa and Sam Adams and you have yourself a historic defense.

We won’t waste too much time here, because the 2018 unit would not only have to keep up its current pace for the final 10 games of the season, but also feature a Super Bowl ring and (maybe) a Defensive Player of the Year Award. Is it unachievable? Not in the slightest, but I wouldn’t count on it whatsoever. This defense isn’t built nearly the same way as the 2000 unit, who legitimately won the team games when the offense was so putrid that it couldn’t carry even half of its weight.

2000 Ravens defense by a landslide here.

Advantage: 2000 defense

Next. Baltimore Ravens are the toughest opponent yet for the Saints. dark

Don’t be fooled, this 2018 Baltimore Ravens defense looks the part and could be the real deal, but its predecessors have set an extremely high standard to be followed. The current pace would place this defense in the the history books forever. No one is rooting against that, and we’ll all be crossing our fingers that becomes the case.

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