Ravens: Reasons To Celebrate

Although a lot of fans of the Baltimore Ravens are panicing about the Ravens inability to stop the run, the heart-stopping close wins and now the possible season-ending injuries to Lardarius Webb and Ray Lewis, there are still many things to celebrate about this team. With a 5-1 record, they are tied with the Houston Texans for the best record in the AFC. Ironically, the Texans are the Ravens next opponent, Sunday, down in Houston at Reliant Stadium.

Baltimore has won four straight games by a combined total of 13 points, but the fact is, they won those games. In past years you just know that the Ravens would have found ways to lose those games. When it comes down to it, it is doubtful anyone would trade these ugly wins for pretty losses, would they?

Beyond the close games and the team's inability to stop opposing offenses, some interesting statistics tell a slightly different story. While it is obvious that the offense has definitely stepped up its game, averaging just under 27 point per game and ranked ninth overall with QB Joe Flacco having the sixth most passing yards in the league, it's a few numbers on the defensive side of the ball that give compelling evidence that the team may not be as bad as people are complaining about.

The Ravens defense is currently 11th overall is points allowed, giving up just under 20 points a game. Last year, with what was considered one of the best defenses in the league, they gave up just under 17 points per game, or a field goal less than in 2012. Regardless of all the statistics available in the NFL, there is truly only one stat that matters on the defensive side of the ball and that is the aforementioned points allowed. Just ask Ray Lewis. He's say, "bottom line."