Two Telling Stats Show Just How Dominant Ravens Defense Is

While the Ravens injury plagued secondary gave up the most pass yards in team history last year, the pass rush and run defense were absolutely dominant. While the healing secondary has received much-needed new additions, the defensive line is looking to have an even better year. It's no secret that the Ravens are one of the best units in the league, and the stats back it up.

The Ravens defense hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in 26 straight games.

This is the longest current streak in the NFL. The last back to reach the century mark against Baltimore was the Packers' Eddie Lacy, in 2013. A staunch interior line composed of guys like Pernell McPhee, Brandon Williams, Haloti Ngata, and Timmy Jernigan have helped keep the streak alive. The Ravens still have a ways to go to reach the franchise record of 39 games. If they can stop backs like Marshawn Lynch and Le'Veon Bell this season, then there's a good chance they can get there.

The Ravens led the league in QB sacks & hits, with 140 combined.

Thanks to a great linebacker corps of Daryl Smith, C.J. Mosley, Elvis Dumervil, and Terrell Suggs, the Ravens were able to bring the heat more than any other team. Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees has the blitz on speed dial, and it's not a bad play call when you have those linebackers. Plays like this were a regular occurrence last season.

The Ravens brought down poor Bortles eight times in this game.

The team looks to improve on last year's great showing. The unit is shaping up as one of the best in the league, with a paralyzing run defense and pass rush. Some outsiders may be skeptical about the pass defense, but the squad of relatively unknown (to the general fan) players should do a lot better than most would think. Before long, we could potentially see a transformation that fields a team similar to the shutdown defenses of the early-2000's Ravens squads.