Defense Wins Championships

by Bruce Raffel on Jan 18, 2012 12:02 PM EST

With all the hype surrounding the record-breaking offensive performances this season, it's surprising to many that two of the four teams left in the playoffs are among the top four defensive teams in the league. The Baltimore Ravens (3#) and the San Francisco 49ers (#4) only trail the Houston Texans (#2) and Pittsburgh Steelers (#1) as the top defensive units in the NFL. Add the New York Giants who might have ranked low in the regular season (#27), but shut out the Atlanta Falcons in the Wild Card round and held the Green Bay Packers to only 20 points in the Divisional Round, and you have more teams known for defense than offense remaining in the post season.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers set a record for QB Rating. Saints QB Drew Brees passed for more yards in a season than anyone else in NFL history. Now Rodgers, Brees and their respective teams are sitting home watching teams who played better defense continue to fight for the chance to play in Super Bowl 46 in Indianapolis.

The Baltimore Ravens travel to Foxboro to play the offensive juggernaut New England Patriots, led by another record-breaking QB. Tom Brady trailed only Brees for passing yards in the regular season, throwing for over 5,200 yards, 39 touchdowns and a QB Rating of 105. Sunday he will face a defense that was as stingy against the pass as any team Brady has faced.

Of the four teams remaining in the post season, it appears the New York Giants are the most balanced, as QB Eli Manning would have had an All-Pro season had Rodgers, Brees and Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford not had their careers best seasons this year. However, the Giants are in the NFC Championship Game because of their defense more so than their offense.

Likewise for the San Francisco 49ers, who, although they were able to win a four-minute shoot-out at the end of their instant classic with the Saints, shut down opposing offenses all season long to win the NFC West and earn the #2 seed and the right to host the Giants in the conference title game.

Of the four teams left in the hunt, only the Patriots have gotten to this point by literally outscoring the opposition, coming back from double-digit deficits on the strength of their unstoppable offense. The current situation is proving the age-old adage that while offense makes highlights, defense win championships.

However, make no bones about it, the league knows that while defense might win championships, offense draws viewers and viewers mean ratings and rating mean more money for commercials. Ergo, there is no question that the combination of the New England Patriots and the New York Giants would probably make the NFL the happiest of all the possible Super Bowl combinations. The New York market alone is reason enough for the league to be secretly rooting for the Giants to win this Sunday night.

At the same time, if the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers end up meeting for a re-match of their Thanksgiving night contest, the league will focus on the Harbaugh brothers coaching match-up as much as they will for the lack of excitement the thoughts of a Joe Flacco vs. Alex Smith offer.

Unfortunately for the league, the players on both teams will hopefully determine the two teams that remain after Sunday is over and while the typical uniformed fans likes to see as much scoring as possible, the purist football fan in me would love to see our Ravens pit two of the top defenses in the league against each other one more time for all of the marbles.

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Ravens have all the pieces to beat the pats defensively. Offensively is shandy but I have seen enough this yr to say that we can have a good game against the pats on Sunday. Ravens win 23-17.

by Raven_all_day on Jan 18, 2012 12:14 PM EST via mobile reply actions

RUN THE BALL

then run it some more

@THEREALALLENOU on twitter - "The man, the verb, the legend" OU'd

by AllenOU on Jan 18, 2012 1:27 PM EST up reply actions

HEY ALL

good luck against the pats this weekend. I think you have agreat shot at winning the superbowl.

was curious as to your reaction to ed reeds comments about flacco. Im hoping for yalls sake it works out the same way it did in the finals when dirk called out jason terry and he went bananas.

I got 27-24 ravens

We WILL be seeing you next year in the playoffs

@THEREALALLENOU on twitter - "The man, the verb, the legend" OU'd

by AllenOU on Jan 18, 2012 1:24 PM EST reply actions

I Always Like It

When Ed Reed says something….ANYTHING! I’m glad he did, I think it’s probably a good motivator :)

by Aggi on Jan 18, 2012 1:36 PM EST up reply actions

You gotta love Ed Reed

He knows an under-performing quarterback when he sees one !

by profootballfan on Jan 18, 2012 2:22 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

So, you’re a “profootballfan” during the whole regular season, but when NE is sniffing another SB berth you hop on board. Cool, think I got it. Thanks.

"Don't throw it, don't throw it, don't throw it. I know y'all going to throw it, they going to throw it anyway. I wouldn't throw it. Don't do it." - Ed Reed

You say tomato, I say tomahto. You say Six, I say Sweep.

by WestminsterRaven on Jan 18, 2012 3:06 PM EST up reply actions

can you really blame me

Im a texans fan, but hate all things boston/NY. I lived in Bal for a year. dont miss it, but wouldnt be opposed to going back

@THEREALALLENOU on twitter - "The man, the verb, the legend" OU'd

by AllenOU on Jan 18, 2012 3:52 PM EST up reply actions

My reply wasn’t to you, sorry if I offended.

"Don't throw it, don't throw it, don't throw it. I know y'all going to throw it, they going to throw it anyway. I wouldn't throw it. Don't do it." - Ed Reed

You say tomato, I say tomahto. You say Six, I say Sweep.

by WestminsterRaven on Jan 18, 2012 4:15 PM EST up reply actions

Westminster

You mistake me for another – I’ve been bouncing around these SBN blogs since the beginning of the football season. But, to answer your question – I do enjoy pro football. I take it you didn’t care for Ed Reed’s comments on his QB either.

Your welcome.

by profootballfan on Jan 18, 2012 5:41 PM EST up reply actions

Ed can wear assless chaps on the field for all I care. He’s entitled to say whatever he wants. If anything, major media outlets have taken select pieces from the interview to suit there own agenda, which is what they get paid for. Joe can deal with it, I’m not worried about it getting to him at all. People think the NY media is bad….ha! Baltimore can be brutal and Joe’s dealt with that since he was some awkward kid out of Deleware.

"Don't throw it, don't throw it, don't throw it. I know y'all going to throw it, they going to throw it anyway. I wouldn't throw it. Don't do it." - Ed Reed

You say tomato, I say tomahto. You say Six, I say Sweep.

by WestminsterRaven on Jan 18, 2012 6:17 PM EST up reply actions

Ed has the history behind him. He is one of the best at his position of alltime him calling someone out is nothing to sneeze at

Listen and learn and to Joe’s credit he does listen

by runew on Jan 18, 2012 9:47 PM EST up reply actions

While I agree that Reed has earned a voice, it’s still pretty crappy to do it in the media like that. He could have done it behind closed doors. Doing it in the media is for people like Santonio Holmes, who no one with a brain would call a leader. (for proof, coach Ryan called him a leader by giving him captain, and he doesn’t have a brain)

Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?

by FrankWyt on Jan 18, 2012 11:08 PM EST up reply actions

I’m not convinced you understand Reed’s comments, FrankWyt

by Evan Skev on Jan 19, 2012 12:07 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

I’m thinking that you don’t. I found the interview, listened to it, and posted the exact quotes in another place on this site to hear. I don’t feel there is anything to understand. You don’t throw your guy under the bus in the media. Even if his goal was to motivate him, it’s still possible that it causes a rift in the locker room.
Even if it doesn’t happen, why even take that chance? You’re about to play in the championship game.

Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?

by FrankWyt on Jan 19, 2012 12:52 AM EST up reply actions

some times change doesnt happen until you say something. I dont think what reed said was wrong and any

way Flacco has already said it’s no big deal also he has spoken to reed.

by jazz20 on Jan 19, 2012 9:15 AM EST up reply actions

thanks for the wishes man!

and in regards to Ed here is a link to an article on baltimoreravens.com, its like a daily scoop for us, it starts out with Suggs defending Flacco and his performance against you guys last week. You guys were nasty! anyway the second article explains Ed’s comments much more than ESPN and the other half-ass news sources.

Scott Hines

by shines on Jan 18, 2012 1:37 PM EST up reply actions

Ed can say whatever he wants. PERIOD

@THEREALALLENOU on twitter - "The man, the verb, the legend" OU'd

by AllenOU on Jan 18, 2012 3:52 PM EST up reply actions

So according to most of the national media, we have absolutely no chance at winning this weekend. So I don’t know about you guys, but I’m going to box up all of my Ravens paraphernalia and throw it in storage. We had a good run, but maybe next year (although the media isn’t to bright on that either). I’ll see all you guys back around here during draft time.

And before I go I’d like to thank Chris Berman for having faith in us. Sorry to disappoint you, but our QB just isn’t good looking enough to win a Super Bowl.

by StuckInUtah on Jan 18, 2012 1:35 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Nope, and he didn't throw for 4000 or 5000 or 10,000 gazillion yards

Interesting playoff factoid – In the Super Bowl era, no QB that led the league in passing yards has eber won a SB.

by RavensfaninTX on Jan 18, 2012 1:45 PM EST up reply actions

thats the spirit Utah i knew you had it in you. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE RAVENS TO BE NEW ENGLAND WITH TOM BRADY PLAYING QUARTERBACK AND THEIR DEFENSE IS SCARY LOOK WHAT THEY DID TO DENVER

by jazz20 on Jan 18, 2012 2:00 PM EST up reply actions

TYPO BEAT

by jazz20 on Jan 18, 2012 2:00 PM EST up reply actions

If this is serious, find another team to cheer for

by Ravens4Life on Jan 18, 2012 7:14 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I figure from now on, from year to year, I’ll just wait and cheer for whoever goes to the Super Bowl. If it just so happens to be the Ravens, at least I’ll already have some jerseys to dig out of storage.

Sorry, sarcasm overload…

by StuckInUtah on Jan 18, 2012 9:39 PM EST up reply actions

I thought the sarcasm was easy to detect

Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?

by FrankWyt on Jan 18, 2012 11:08 PM EST up reply actions

Defense doesn't score that much though

It will be interesting to see what happens this Sunday – Ravens (great defense) meet the Patriots (high-powered offense) – figures to be a terrific game and the late game might be even better, most likely a defense vs defense battle.

Home field matters – so I’m giving the nod to the 49ers in the NFCCG and in the AFCCG , the Patriot offense will be too much for the Ravens to handle.

by profootballfan on Jan 18, 2012 2:07 PM EST reply actions

the Patriot offense will be too much for the Ravens to handle.

HELL YEAH THE PATRIOT OFFENSE WILL BE WAY TOO MUCH FOR THE RAVENS DEFENSE TO HANDLE. PATRIOTS OFFENSE IS SOOOOOO GREAT THAT I EXPECT 35-7 RAVENS WIN

by jazz20 on Jan 18, 2012 2:13 PM EST up reply actions

oops i think i meant to say patriots not ravens

by jazz20 on Jan 18, 2012 2:14 PM EST up reply actions

No you didn't

got it right the first time!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Jan 18, 2012 5:56 PM EST up reply actions

You Forgot

to add “BOMBERJET BOOM OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

"A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring."
"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."
"God's whiskers! Your face is as hideous as the demon's in my storybook!"
"I never expected to see the day when girls would get sunburned in the places they do today."
"It's big for a reason."

For Pittsburgh fans, that's Pope, Twain, Rostand, Rogers and Megamind

by vlad755 on Jan 18, 2012 2:21 PM EST up reply actions

lol

by jazz20 on Jan 18, 2012 4:16 PM EST up reply actions

Good luck against the Patsies ...

This Steelers fan can’t forgive Spygate. I’ll be rooting for the Ravens to smash the Patriots this weekend.

by Tequila0341 on Jan 18, 2012 2:10 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Tequila

Bet you can’t forgive your rapist quarterback either… those high morals of yours.

by profootballfan on Jan 18, 2012 2:20 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Thanks...as a die-hard Ravens fan

I was hoping you all would be playing the Pats last weekend, and I would’ve been pulling for you, so we could host the AFC Championship in Bmore and have the ultimate rematch!! I hope our D has Princess Brady on his arse all game. I’m looking for big game performances from Suggs, JJ, Kruger, Ngata; and I predict Reed, even older and beat-up, coming up with a pick-six in this game. As long as we don’t turn the ball over, get Ray Rice going, then Flacco can make some big plays down the field…I’d like to see him in the gun more this game, like when we played you in Pitt this year. And I know our TE’s aren’t as dominating as NE’s pair, they are no slouches, esp when Cam uses them correctly.

by DefenseDiva on Jan 18, 2012 2:49 PM EST up reply actions

Ravens have all the pieces to beat the pats defensively. Offensively is shandy but I have seen enough this yr to say that we can have a good game against the pats on Sunday. Ravens win 23-17.

by Raven_all_day on Jan 18, 2012 2:15 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Skins fan here

Dads a Ravens fan so hold off on your bandwagon comments.

Question for Ravens fans though…..
1) Do you all like Cam Cameron
2) Why does your offense look awesome at times and like bums at other times?
I don’t get to watch many of your games just trying to see from your point of view

A fan of losers, Redskins, Wizards, Orioles, Terps, Dale Jr, America

by jbh1190 on Jan 18, 2012 2:32 PM EST reply actions

1) NO
2) Cam Cameron jk sort of. We have a lot of new pieces on offense. Boldin is the receiver who’s been here the longest and it’s only his 2nd season. Everybody else is a rookie or 1st year here. TE’s are in their first year of actual playing time and only 2nd in the league. Most of these good offenses have had some of the pieces together awhile so I think chemistry has been off at times. The other end is Cam. Inconsistent play calling at times and overall many of us just feel we don’t have a scheme suited for our guys. Requires every phase of the offense to be working soundly in order to be successful consistently. Not all, but many feel the Ravens and especially Flacco would benefit from a new OC next year regardless of how we finish this season.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jan 18, 2012 2:52 PM EST up reply actions

^^^amen

by Ravens4Life on Jan 18, 2012 3:24 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Simple

1) No!
2) See 1) above

For Pittsburgh fans, that's Pope, Twain, Rostand, Rogers and Megamind

by vlad755 on Jan 19, 2012 12:38 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Madden simulation did us right last week. This weeks prediction. Ravens 23-20 with the win. 7 sacks on brady. 3 from sizzle. Done deal!!!

by lsg2131 on Jan 18, 2012 3:39 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Isg

I’d say the game’s in the bag then (for Baltimore).

by profootballfan on Jan 18, 2012 6:09 PM EST up reply actions

Ha!

If we sack Brady seven times, I’d let Frank “date” my sister… (a take on a line from “Full Metal Jacket”)

For Pittsburgh fans, that's Pope, Twain, Rostand, Rogers and Megamind

by vlad755 on Jan 19, 2012 12:39 PM EST up reply actions

i am sorry to say

but i am not too happy about ed’s comments. even if some words have been taken out of context you should not do this w/ yr teammate. it is going to be repeated all week long in the media and fits to confuse a good preparation for the game. should have been kept inside the locker room.
i hope the added pressure won’t kill flacco who often seems fragile to me.

by captain dobey on Jan 18, 2012 4:16 PM EST via mobile reply actions

We all want a Baltimore victory

by Evan Skev on Jan 18, 2012 4:27 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Ed Reed gets a pass

and anyone in the league as good as Ed or Ray can say whatever they want whenever they want and the specific targeted player, position or side of the ball will always take it without any issue. It’s the media looking for just another angle to press on.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Jan 18, 2012 5:58 PM EST reply actions