Here in Baltimore we seem to have gotten away from a winning formula that was once synonymous with the Ravens. Defense once defined the franchise and it’s time for the Ravens to get back to their roots. Press play for more or read below…
It’s a bit shocking that the Denver Broncos won by the score of 24-10. Consider that:
• Peyton Manning’s passer rating was a paltry 56.6.
• The Broncos post just 194 net yards of offense
• Denver was 1 of 14 on third down conversions and 1 of 4 in the red zone
• The Panthers held a 5 ½ minute advantage in time of possession
• No. 1 receiver DeMaryius Thomas had 1 catch for 8 yards
And all of these rather eye opening stats points to one thing – DEFENSE
Despite the league competition committee’s annual effort to push the NFL further and further towards arena football, defense still matters. Defense still wins championships.
And despite all of the effort to spread the field and increase scoring to the delight of fantasy football enthusiasts, the game is still won and lost in the trenches.
The explosiveness of a player like Von Miller changes games. If anyone should have busted out of his Clark Kent façade and stepped into the suit of Superman, it was Miller. He made the secondary better. He forced the Panthers to limit their playbook. He rattled Cam Newton and forced his to lose control on his passes. They were so high and wide I couldn’t help but think of Nuke Laloosh in Bull Durham.
Give Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak credit. Much like Brian Billick in 2000, Kubiak resisted his offensive pedigree and played to his team’s strength – DEFENSE!
It might not be glamorous.
It might not excite fantasy football owners.
It might not generate a buzz for highlight reels.
But regardless of all the rules changes and the overall wussification of the NFL, controlling the clock, protecting the football, managing field position and playing great defense is a winning formula
Sure it would be great to get Joe Flacco another weapon and maybe a bulldozing back who can get a first down on third and 2, but for the Ravens, it just might be time to get back to their roots; to recapture their lost identity – one that is intertwined with the DNA of a Baltimore football fan.
As the Broncos proved in Super Bowl 50 and as the Ravens have proven in the past, winning ugly is a beautiful thing.
