Baltimore Ravens run defense has something to play for as they take on the Cincinnati Bengals running game

The Baltimore Ravens defense has been one of the best defenses in the NFL since the Ravens entered Baltimore in 1996. Baltimore's run defense during that time is probably the best run defense in the NFL given the fact that the Ravens are only team in NFL in the last 20 seasons to have three different streaks of not allowing a 100 yard rusher last 31 games or more.

(In fact, if you include the Baltimore Colts, Baltimore has four different streaks of not allowing a 100 yard rusher lasting 31 games or more. The Colts had their streak of 45 straight games end in 1972.)

Here are the streaks for the Ravens:

• 1999-2001: The Ravens defense went 46 straight games without allowing a 100 yard rusher (including playoffs)
  
• 2006-2009: The Ravens defense went 39 straight games without allowing a 100 yard rusher (including playoffs)
• 2013-2015: The Ravens defense went 31 straight games without allowing a 100 yard rusher (including playoffs)

As you can see, the Ravens run defense has been outright dominant in the past 20 seasons. But, the Ravens have a different statistic with their run defense to play for. If the Ravens are able to stop the Cincinnati Bengals from having a big day on average in terms of yard per carry in week 17, the Ravens will extend their NFL record streak to 20 straight seasons of holding opponents to a 4.0 yards per carry average or lower over the course of a 16 game regular season.

20 seasons of being dominant in the trenches on defense is a statement by itself. The Ravens are going to want to keep this record going as long as possible.