Feature Player of the Week Browns

Sep 07, 2008 at 07:23 AM

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).

Total Defense (Net YPG)..............................................................161.5 (1st)
Net Pass YPG..................................................................................91.5 (1st)
Rush YPG............................................................................................70 (3rd)
Take-Aways.........................................................................................5 (t-6th)
Interceptions........................................................................................4 (t-4th)
1st Downs Allowed.............................................................................19 (1st)

YOUNG O-LINE SETTING THE PACE

The 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.

Baltimore...................................24 years 6 months..................................2-0
Tampa Bay................................24 years 11 months...............................2-1
Miami.........................................25 years 6 months..................................1-2

2008 Pace
Rush Yds.................................2,674 (2003).......................................3,040
Rush Avg.................................4.8 (2003)...............................................4.2
Sacks Allowed........................17 (2006)...................................................8

Le'RON McCLAIN MAKES BIG IMPACT

FB Le'Ron McClain leads the Ravens with 36 rushing attempts for 152 yards and 2 TDs. The 2nd-year back also has 3 receptions for 28 yards, combining for 180 total yards and 2 TDs in the opening 2 games of the season. McClain has already more than doubled his total yardage from his rookie season (73 combined yards) and posted the 1st rushing TDs of his career.
McClain's 152 rushing yards in 2 games this season are just 18 yards shy of his career college totals for rushing (170 yards and 2 TDs) while at Alabama.
With his 4.2 yards per carry average, McClain currently ranks 4th in the AFC and 11th in the NFL (min. 35 carries).

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