Everyone who watches the Ravens knows defensive tackle Travis Jones has been a force in the middle this season.

The third-year pro is living in the backfield, stuffing opposing running backs for Baltimore's stout run defense. But through the first five games of the year, Jones still had a zero in the sack column.

Before the season started, Jones set a goal of five to six sacks in 2024, and on Sunday against the Commanders he finally broke through and started the tally, bringing down standout rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

"It felt good to get out of the way," Jones said. "I was back there a couple times, but I just missed it. So I was excited to get that one."

While Jones' preseason sack goal still stands, he knows stopping the run comes first, and it's hard to find anyone in the NFL who has done it better.

Through six games, Jones is spearheading Baltimore's league-leading run defense, which is surrendering just 59 yards per game. The Ravens aren't just the best run stopping team in 2024. They could be the greatest ever. According to TruMedia, this year's run defense is on pace to surpass the Super Bowl champion 2000 Ravens, which gave up the least rushing yards per game (60.6) since 1970.

Baltimore's season-high in rushing yards allowed is 81, and in Week 2 the Las Vegas Raiders ran for just 27 yards, the second lowest total in a game this year.

"Every week we come here, our focus is to stop the run, then rush the passer on the way to the quarterback," Jones said. "But it's been fun going out there, stopping one, eating up double teams, so Ro (Roquan Smith) and Trenton [Simpson] could get some tackles. So that's pretty fun."

A third-round pick in 2022, Jones was primed for a big Year 3. When his teammates were asked for their breakout candidate of 2024, Jones was the top pick. So far, he's living up to the hype.

Jones played less than 40% of the defensive snaps his first two seasons but is seeing 66% of the action this year. According to Pro Football Focus, Jones is the fourth-highest graded interior lineman only behind perennial Pro Bowlers Cameron Heyward, Chris Jones, and Dexter Lawrence.

"Just being more consistent. Last year, I showed flashes, but it wasn't on a consistent basis," Jones said. "This year, I'm making more plays on a down and down basis. I think that's about it, really. Everything's just slowing down for me now, picking things up quicker and just going out there dominating."

Jones' emergence has created arguably the league's best interior duo with 2023 All-Pro Nnamdi Madubuike, creating nightmare matchups for offensive lines. After Madubuike's 13 sacks last season, teams are throwing double teams at him, but with Jones' breakout it's pick-your-poison for offensive lines right now.

Just ask Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, who came into the league with Jones. While Linderbaum doesn't have to play Jones on Sundays, he gets an up-close look at the 340-pound stopper every practice.

"The sky's the limit for Travis, and we're already seeing it right now," Linderbaum said on "The Lounge" podcast. "He's playing at such a high level. Just his size and strength and now just processing the game and understanding the game and using his abilities, he's going to be a very special player. And he's a guy that just works his tail off and wants to be great."