Defense, History, and Family
Earlier today the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Green Bay Packers 23-0, the Ravens’ third shutout victory this season. As I’m sure many of you know, the Ravens shutout both the Cincinnati Bengals, 20-0, and the Miami Dolphins, 40-0 earlier this season. To pitch one shutout in today’s NFL is impressive, but to do it three times in one year is practically unheard of. The last team to shutout three opponents in one season was the New England Patriots all the way back in 2003. The Ravens changed that today.
Baltimore’s defense made life miserable for Packers quarterback Brett Hundley and the rest of the Green Bay offense.
Six sacks, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, two of which were recovered, and no points allowed. Green Bay’s offense was like a slice of Swiss Cheese, just too many holes, while the Ravens defense was sharp as cheddar. (Cheese jokes are fun, especially against the Packers.)
Three members of the Ravens’ secondary had interceptions on the day. Shutdown cornerback, Jimmy Smith grabbed his third pick of the year, veteran safety, Eric Weddle hauled in his fourth INT of 2017, and rookie stud cornerback, Marlon Humphrey got his first career interception late in the fourth quarter. The Ravens also got to the quarterback fast and often. Terrell Suggs, Willie Henry, and Matthew Judon all found themselves driving Hundley into the ground twice each, for a total of six sacks, a season high for Baltimore. Judon and Suggs both forced a fumble in which the Ravens recovered both of.
The last time a Ravens defense had at least three shutouts in a single season, was the 2000 squad, arguably the greatest defense of all time. That speaks volumes for this years opportunistic unit.
The @Ravens are the fifth team with three shutouts in a season, in the last 30 years.
Three of the other four won the Super Bowl. pic.twitter.com/TZKc6Zl2bU
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 19, 2017
As you can see above, teams with three or more shutouts in a season tend to finish with a bang. Now this team has a long way to go, but this defense is no joke. They should not be taken lightly by their remaining opponents. This unit plays with a passion and brotherhood that has not been seen in the 410, since the days of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Watch the video below and listen to what Anthony Levine says. This defense, this team is not just a group of football players. They are a family.
"I love this football team."
Game ball time. #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/Xw67pqX2QZ— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 20, 2017
Also, two side notes. One, today’s victory was Ravens’ head coach, John Harbaugh’s one-hundredth career win.
That's our head coach.
Coach Harbaugh reacts to getting his 100th career win at historic Lambeau Field.
????: https://t.co/p7HeTfBm1Q pic.twitter.com/e6zMyyAeDi— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 20, 2017
Two, the Ravens are now the sixth seed in the AFC playoff picture.
AFC playoff picture is now locked in for the home stretch. Everyone has six games left:
1. Steelers (8-2)
2. Patriots (8-2)
3. Jaguars (7-3)
4. Chiefs (6-4)
5. Titans (6-4)
6. Ravens (5-5)
——
7. Bills (5-5)— Brad Gagnon (@Brad_Gagnon) November 20, 2017
Why not us?
