3 reasons the Baltimore Ravens should scare their opponents

Scary good reason number 3: The defense has improved:

Let’s not pretend like the Ravens defense is completely fixed, however let’s not pretend that the performance against the Seahawks was a fluke either. The pass rushers remain a problem however the improved secondary and the improved inside linebacker group make this defense viable. If the Ravens can make Russell Wilson struggle for the first time of the season, they can overpower a lot of opponents. The Ravens now have more freedom to scheme their way to pressure. Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters take care of a lot. Earl Thomas takes care of a lot of things as well.

Don Martindale is the x-factor moving forward. Now his blitzes carry a little more weight. Now offenses can’t just avoid Marlon Humphrey and call it a game plan. Now pressure is in play even if the Ravens don’t have dominant pass rushers. With the offense that Baltimore has, the level of play that the defense showed in Seattle is good enough to win a Super Bowl. This defense isn’t the best defense the Ravens have had and it’s probably not going to get close to that level. The Ravens needed the defense to be better than it was. It should be good enough now.

Think about what the Ravens did in Seattle. They had two defensive scores. They slowed down one of the best offensive attacks in the NFL. They frustrated an MVP candidate. The Ravens defense has two cornerbacks that nobody wants to deal with. The Ravens Flock should trust Don Martindale to make this defense work. Picking up a pass rusher would make a difference but Martindale has what he needs to make this defense work. The Browns beat a different defense. The Chiefs beat a different defense. The Ravens defense is different than it was in their two losses. It’s got better linebacker play and a secondary that finally can be feared.