RAVENS DEFENSE DOMINATES
The Baltimore Ravens' Defense is currently the top overall defense in the NFL. Since the team's inception in 1996, the Ravens "D" has finished the season ranked in the top 5 on 7 different occasions, including the 2nd-overall ranked defense 3 times and the top-overall defense once (2006).
Currently ranking No. 1, the defense has allowed just 323 total yards (161.5 ypg) over the 1st 2 games (Ravens Week 2 game vs. Houston was postponed due to Hurricane Ike). The 2ndranked Steelers have allowed 702 yards (234.0 ypg) through their 1st 3 games.
In 2008, the Ravens are the NFL's only team not allowing triple-digit yards in both rushing and passing averages per game, giving up just 70.0 rushing and 91.5 passing yards per contest. Only 12 teams have allowed less than 100 rushing yards per game, and Baltimore is the lone team to permit less than 100 yards passing per contest (next closest is Indianapolis with 141.5 ypg). The Ravens' opponent passer rating is also an NFL-best 26.6 (Titans next at 45.7).
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Total Defense (Net YPG)..............................................................161.5 (1st)  YOUNG O-LINE SETTING THE PACEThe Ravens' Starting Offensive Line, which is the youngest unit in the league, has played at a torrid pace in the opening 2 games of the season. Through 48 passing attempts, Baltimore's young line has allowed just 1 sack, including none through the 1st 47 pass attempts of the season. The line has also led the way for the Ravens to rush for 380 yards -- averaging 190.0 yards per game -- which ranks tops in the AFC and is 2nd only to the Atlanta Falcons(203.0 ypg) in the NFL. With 380 rushing yards on 90 attempts, the Ravens are averaging 4.2 yards per carry, which would be tied for 3rd (single-season) in franchise history. In addition, the Ravens are on pace to rush for 3,040 yards on the season, a mark that would smash the franchise record of 2,674 from 2003.
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